Those working as first emergency responders acknowledge the crucial role of GPS trackers during emergency operations. This is because time plays an important role in making sure that an emergency team is able to respond quickly with its fleet of emergency vehicles. Considering the fact that they work round the clock, it can be quite a challenge to obtain such reliable services even when human lives are at stake.
There are several factors that deter operations such as poor navigation and even employee negligence. To address such issues, many emergency services turn to GPS tracking technology to increase response time and make sure that their employees are efficient.
Trackimo is a good example of a real-time GPS tracking device that allows dispatchers to monitor their fleet anytime, anywhere. It can simply be hardwired to their vehicles, completely eliminating the need to charge the devices’ batteries. After the quick installation, Trackimo allows users a to have a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle’s whereabouts. Emergency responders can greatly benefit from this form of technology as it helps with fleet management and tend to matters of life and death.
How GPS Tracking Systems Help Emergency Responders
Scroll down for video
India Catalog
Vehicle tracking
Emergency responders have been slowly adopting the use of GPS trackers, which are capable of tracking down not only vehicle movement but driving activity as well. Driver behavior can be pivotal for the patient or victim and the rest of the team on board as it is up to them to be able to transport the patient safely.
Since dispatchers are tracking multiple emergency vehicles and equipment at the same time, they can add and manage all the equipped vehicles on a single view on their desktop, tab, or phone.
Planned routes
With GPS tracking systems, emergency responders can view traffic, weather, and road conditions in real time to avoid hazards and traffic jams. Finding the best route for emergency responders helps dispatchers and citizens in danger as it effectively reduces response times. Dispatchers using GPS tracking systems can ensure that first-response drivers are not only taking the quickest routes to their emergency calls but the safest routes as well. This is because being able to determine whether a route will take an emergency response vehicle into an area where there are one-ways or road closures can prevent wasted minutes needed when trying to save a life.
By having accurate tracking data about route options moving forward, emergency responders can also make better decisions for planning future routes.
Driver monitoring
It is understandable for an ambulance driver to go beyond speed thresholds for an emergency, but when they behave this way even with no emergency in sight, then it is up to the management whether to reprimand them for such behavior.
This is where GPS technology comes in. If the ambulance driver is moving in erratic speeds, dispatchers are immediately alerted. Another issue that GPS addresses is when ambulance drivers drive directly into slow-moving traffic. A GPS tracking system can prevent that from happening in the first place by redirecting the vehicle to a more efficient route.
The live GPS data can be found on the device’s companion app. In Trackimo’s case, its tracking software is easily installed in mobile devices or accessed through a secure web site. Dispatchers may monitor the data anytime during the day to make sure that all vehicles are accounted for.
Response time tracking
Emergency responders need to be on the scene with minimal delay in operations. With GPS trackers, the crew can track even response times to see if they are appropriately fast. In addition to that, crews can now record how long the rescue operation took. That data is important to help emergency responders make informed decisions about training focus and improving their efforts at the emergency scene. However, in reality, tracking the time it takes to rescue victims is not the first priority in an operation. With GPS trackers, dispatchers can now automatically receive this data.
Timely reinforcements
If it becomes necessary to call more rescuers for extra help, GPS trackers can quickly send them the right location and transmit the emergency services’ positions. The trackers deliver actual geographical locations of the emergency vehicles, helping dispatchers identify which crew is closest to an urgent situation to be sent to the accident.
Cost reduction
alexkess photography
Not only does vehicle tracking streamline daily operations, it can be a money-saving option for companies as well. Hospitals have chosen to invest in ambulance tracking devices to reduce cost. Think of it as a delivery and courier service—the shorter routes taken, the more the company can save on both maintenance and fuel costs. Note that this is a time where prices continue to inflate in the economy. Fuel, in particular, has continued to be distributed in unpredictable prices, so it is best to find the most economical options by directing the fleet toward more effective routes.
Improvement in coordination
The job of emergency responders is risky, and these rescuers rely solely on one another to help prevent tragedies. During emergency operations, poor communication can lead to serious injury and even death. Dangerous conditions brought about by natural disasters can lead to rescue personnel getting lost. As a result, the response becomes indiscriminate and disorganized. But through GPS tracking systems, emergency responders can track their personnel, increasing the chance of a successful recovery if disasters get out of control or a rescue professional gets lost or meets accidents.
On the other hand, dispatchers can easily locate where emergency scenes are and communicate with teams in the field. This makes it much easier to find people who may be trapped and get to them before it is too late.
Theft prevention
GPS tracking for emergency relief operations can be used to provide remote diagnostics and determine whether or not an emergency engine is turned on. This provides much-needed power during emergencies. Besides, you can use geofences with the GPS tracker to send alerts when such machines are moved from their designated locations. This can help you detect if they are being stolen.
Employee tracking
Despite the training and seminars, you can’t expect all your workers to have the kind of work ethic that you would want them to have. Perhaps the most challenging issue you will encounter relates to the misuse of the organization’s physical resources and time. You obviously don’t want them preoccupied with the need to take care of personal matters at the expense of doing their duties in emergencies. Instead of being in a position to respond to an emergency, they might be taking a detour to handle their private business or give themselves time off.
Aside from putting the lives of people who are in need in danger, this could cost you hundreds of dollars in vehicle fuel and maintenance. With GPS tracking for emergency vehicles, you are able to keep surveillance on each vehicle and identify any that deviates from official duties.
GPS Trackit
Preventing siren and light abuse
Complaints of emergency response vehicles turning on their sirens and lights only to get through an intersection abound. As soon as they’re past the intersection, the driver turns off the sirens and lights. To increase driver accountability, there are GPS trackers that can help eliminate the abuse of siren and light activation in emergency response units. Vehicles equipped with these GPS trackers can be monitored by dispatchers and send alerts when the sirens and lights are turned on!
Predictive maintenance
GPS trackers not only offer the abovementioned safety benefits; some models also provide automated vehicle maintenance logs. You don’t have to manually update each vehicle’s information in a spreadsheet or track individual maintenance dates in a calendar. Using GPS trackers, emergency responders can receive reports of engine performance data. This information helps users efficiently perform and track preventive maintenance, eliminate vehicle downtime, decrease overhead costs, and reduce sudden expensive repairs.
SOS button
The SOS button in a GPS tracker is a highly important feature to watch out for in choosing GPS trackers. It could save the lives that are saving lives! All these rescuers have to do is simply press and hold this button for five seconds when in an emergency to alert the authorities or selected staff members of their current location, including directions to the scene. This particular feature has been proven helpful in dangerous situations.
Conclusion
Technology is known for providing immediate solutions to the community’s daily needs. And GPS tracking is not an exception. It is now adapted to various sectors in the industry. Those who are part of the health-care industry already know how response times can be crucial in a life-or-death situation. For ambulance fleets and emergency responders around the world, live GPS tracking systems are the best option available in the market today.
Watch the video below
