Vadodara Fire and Emergency Services to get upgraded with advanced technology

The Vadodara Fire and Emergency Services will soon get upgraded with advanced technology and control systems.

Under the Smart City Programme, in Rs. 7.95 crore, the Vadodara Fire and Emergency Services will soon have ICT up-gradation of fire stations and ICT enabled Fire to ensure faster and efficient service to keep Vadodara safer.

The advanced technology would be including AI, GPS, CCTV, sonar system to track vehicles and ensure faster rescue operations. ICT up-gradation will help to enable the gathering of the real-time location of Fire Vehicles. It will also provide timely feedback for actions on-ground to the Fire department. It will provide tools for real-time monitoring of fire vehicles and view area of the incident. This technology will enhance the fire services, reliability, and punctuality of fire tankers. It will also maintain the call logs and analysis of the report of the incident.

The program started in February but had to be put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was restarted in mid-September and the project will take about 3-4 months to complete.

The technology will include Computer-Aided Dispatch Software which will enable computer-aided dispatch of Fire vehicles at the time of any incident/ disaster from the Fire station/ Control room. The installation of CCTV cameras on Fire trucks to enhance the security of assets and citizens through real-time surveillance. A small Tab-like display with GPS will be installed in each fire truck to guide them to the exact location of the fire incident. It will be a 2-way communication with the Fire station and CCC and to take input for all activities done on the ground during the fire call.

Automatic Vehicle Locating System (AVLS) technology will help in fire vehicle management through planning, tracking, and performance monitoring. Installation of water level sensors at fire tankers to get a real-time update of water level present.

With such advanced and state-of-the-art technology, the management can have a complete data log along with call recording along with associated video footage of the incidence. Transcript of the call (with automatic speed-to-text) would be enabled. It will be easier to identify fake calls, the quantum of fake calls.

Incident management will become easier to report. The time of the reporting of the incident at the Central Fire station, the time of dispatch from the Fire Station, the time and route it took to reach the location, the time is taken to complete the activity will be noted.

The navigation facility will have a big impact as the driver can see the traffic himself on the maps, avoid congested routes, and reach the site within minimum time.

The Pre-intimation of River water levels will help in a flood or flood-like situations. This function of the Fire Department will be automated and real-time feeds of water level will be available at CCC and at all fire stations.