1TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Technology In Emergency Services Developed as part of the National Emergency Services Curriculum Project

2TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Introduction Technology in ES: A misnomer? What do we mean by Technology? In what facets of ESR can Technology be used? Current Technology and its Applications The Future of Technology in CAP Emergency Services Problems and Issues of Technology in ES

3TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Technology in ES: A Misnomer? Do the methodologies of CAP Emergency Services lend themselves to the use of Technology? Can technology be useful enough to justify the time and money? At each level, decisions must be made to determine how much time and money will be spent on technology Cost/Benefit analysis must be made

4TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities What do we mean by Technology Technology does not necessarily include only computers Technology refers to the application of new tools to make us more efficient These tools can include –Computers and Software –Radio technology –Digital cameras –Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) –Etc.

5TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Where can Technology be Used in CAP ES? There are applications for current and future technology at all levels of CAP –ES Incident Bases –Wing Level –At the local squadron –On Ground Teams –Etc. The applications of technology and ES are limited only by cost and the human element

6TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Current Technology and Applications Computers and Software –Of all the technological innovations, computers and software have the most use in CAP ES –Almost unlimited uses at all levels of CAP ES –COTS (commercial off the shelf) products –Specially designed software packages have been written by SAR personnel

7TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Mobile Computers Mobile computers are especially useful in CAP ES –Portable –Light Mobile computer have disadvantages –Expense –Battery Life –Susceptible to the elements

8TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Software Commercial Products, such as office suites, have a number of applications –Spreadsheets –Personal Databases –Word Processors Applications –Check-ins –Tracking ES Qualifications –Computerized ES Forms

9TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Software continued… Mapping Programs –Delorme Topo Maps Topo Maps are now available in high resolution Can be used for both air and ground crews –GIS Systems Many other specialty software packages are available that have limitless applications for CAP ES

10TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities GPS GPS receivers are becoming more affordable and more precise GPS receivers will soon be built into personal radios GPS systems can interface into many mapping programs –Provides unprecedented utility to ES Ground teams

11TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Communication Technology Digital radio communications –Higher Range –Clearer, less static Cellular Phones provide far better communications than current 2 meter radios in many areas RF Technology has many future uses

12TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Other Current Technology Personal Digital Assistants –Current and Future PDAs have almost as much power as mobile computers –True power of PDAs rests with PDA peripherals Digital Cameras and Imaging Many other technological innovations can be used to make SAR more efficient

13TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Practical Examples Computerized Check-in CAP Forms & Publications Online – Track ES Qualifications

14TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Future of Technology in Emergency Services Moores Law – The sum total of all processing power doubles every year Most benefit of technology in ES will be the result of merging current technologies Vision of Future Ground Team or Aircrew Missions is changing rapidly

15TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Problems and Issues For all of its benefits, technology does present unique problems These problems are inherent to technology in all applications, not just CAP ES Some problems can be solved, but some must be sidestepped

16TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Problems Expense –Up front expense –On-going expense Training problems Care and Maintenance Short Technology Lifecycle

17TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities The Human Element Technology for technologys sake –Technology applications must make SAR more efficient –Technology for its own sake costs much, but provides little benefit The human element –Many ES personnel do not like computers, technology, etc. –Weve done it this way for years mentality –Must demonstrate that technology can be used to make us more efficient

18TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities Discussion What are you doing today? What have you done to better position yourself for the future?

19TECHES.PPT LAST REVISED: 9 JULY 2008 Citizens Serving Communities QUESTIONS? THINK SAFETY!