Information Technology

The Fire Department Safety Committee should meet monthly and include in its mission the raising of awareness and modifying of member behaviors that will result in a safe work environment. Additionally, the committee should review all accidents, injuries, near-miss incidents, and workplace safety suggestions. The committee should analyze the information before them and report their findings to the Fire Chief. In contrast to being reactionary through the development of additional rules, it is recommended that the committee should work to implement member safety education programs and encourage members’ safety self-awareness. The committee should maintain regular and open meeting times and locations, and minutes of the meetings should be recorded and posted for all firefighters to review. ESCI underscores the importance of maintaining a functioning Safety Committee.

Information Technology

Information Technology (IT) is a challenge within the Southington Fire Department. The fire department is currently supported by an IT position that is shared with the Police Department. Because of the demands placed on this position by the Police Department, the fire department often does not have the level of support that it needs in a timely manner. In recent years, the fire department has become increasingly more reliant on computers, laptops, and tablets for both routine and emergency operations and would benefit from a full-time dedicated IT position.

Records Management System

Southington Fire Department uses FireHouse® software for reporting and recordkeeping processes and procedures generally considered consistent with the practices observed in most fire departments across the United States. These records include patient care reports, emergency incident reports, as well as equipment service and maintenance records. Service records include those conducted internally as well as those completed by external service providers for critical equipment, including annual ladder testing and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units.

The current FireHouse® software company is no longer in business and as such, cannot provide support for issues. Additionally, due to the age of the program, it is difficult to extract information from the database. Southington is currently pursuing the transition to ESO, a newer record management system, that will allow for the consistent and accurate monitoring of performance, trends, and documentation for the department.

Document Control and Security

The Department has established processes and procedures for the security of both digital and hard copy records. All digital records are backed-up locally as well as off-site.

Southington Fire Department has implemented computers at all fire stations to use in recording incidents, accessing emails and Department operating procedures, and recording equipment inventories. At the time of this report, the Department did not have a formal Information Technology management strategy in place. While the department is serviced by the Town’s IT, the fire department should have a strategy in place to upgrade hardware and software, select the most appropriate programs based on department need, and an understanding of the process by all personnel for how to suggest new ideas or resolve existing issues.