Rochester, N.Y. - New software is making a significant difference in life-threatening situations when every second counts. It also helps keep emergency vehicles safe from theft
Even before the driver gets to the call on Stone Road, Monroe Ambulance dispatchers can tell right where he is.
His route is being tracked through a GPS-like device called Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL). Through this special software, his progress is updated every 30 seconds.
"There have been instances in the past where similar street names have caused significant confusion,” said Mark Tomstrom of Monroe Ambulance. “There have been situations in other parts of the country that led to 20 to 30 minute delays…our guys can actually watch the truck drive to the call."
Standard GPS is not quick enough or accurate enough for emergency use. Unlike dash devices, AVL is connected to sophisticated software--it’s a bit like GPS on steroids.
The software tracks all available vehicles. In this case it noted the closest ambulance was unavailable, which allowed dispatchers to make a split second change.
It can make a huge difference in a business where seconds count in matters of life or death.
It can also speed up communication between responders in a disaster situation. A fire department no longer has to communicate through 911 to find out the status of multiple ambulances that might be called to the scene. Instead of communicating with each ambulance separately, one dispatcher tracks the progress of all the vehicles at the same time.
