Neptune Fire Company Uses Technology to Get Organized
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Responding to fire emergencies in Neptune has gotten easier.
Firefighters at the Unexcelled Fire Company in Neptune recently implemented a new program to better organize emergency responses.
The “I Am Responding” program includes a new flat screen monitor installed on the wall of the fire house that lists the responses of firefighters who will be heading to the fire house to go out on a call.
The program allows emergency personnel to respond via their own cell phones to a call, by calling a special number and pressing a prompt from one to nine.
The prompts indicate the persons name, rank and how long it will take them to arrive at the fire house.
The system also includes a prompt for those not available to respond.
The information is immediately transmitted onto the monitor where those arriving at the fire house can see who is on their way and what job they do.
“It lets us coordinate the calls,” said Fire Captain Donald Colarusso.
Colarusso said the program costs just under $1000 for the year with donated funds being used.
He explained that knowing how many drivers there are and when they will arrive allows the crew to have one driver stay behind for other fire fighters who may have responded that they will be at the fire house in five to 10 minutes, or 10 to 15.
Colarusso said he and firefighter Frank Sutphin learned about the new equipment at a trade show in Baltimore.
While there they met fellow firefighters they knew from Jericho, Long Island who had been using the system.
“They loved it,” Colarusso said.
He said the Unexcelled Fire Company decided to try a two-month free trial period before purchasing the equipment.
“That gave us a feel for what is was about,” he said.“It’s tremendous.”
Before the new equipment Colarusso said responders had to call each other on cell phones to learn how many people would be responding to the call.
If a firefighter is going on vacation for a week that is also indicted on the board.
The system also keeps a record of weekly “duty crews” for the night shift and text messages are sent reminding them they are on call.
“It allows us to pre-program them and send a reminder to their phone that they are on call,” he said.
Colarusso said the program is a welcome addition to the fire company.
“It totally enhances our abilities as firefighters.”
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