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Fire departments nationwide are responsible for creating incident pre-plans about buildings in their jurisdiction. From more informed decision-making to improving ISO ratings, these pre-plans benefit public safety agencies even before an incident occurs. Although the importance of pre-plans is known, many fire departments struggle to create them and keep them regularly updated. In this blog, we will discuss why it’s vital that fire departments collect current data about their jurisdictions and the value that incident pre-plans provide. 

The Importance of Accurate Data

Pre-incident plans are documents that public safety agencies create and store in their records management systems (RMS). The National Fire Protection Association has several standards for pre-incident planning to help departments develop effective ones. Pre-plans can include information such as building floor plans, inspection data or the location of hazardous materials. This information helps first responders handle incidents safely and efficiently. 

More Informed Decision-Making

A jurisdiction’s RMS often has a great deal of data, but it might not always be up-to-date. Therefore, collaboration between departments and building management is necessary to keep incident pre-plans current for a streamlined response to emergencies. Most guidelines suggest departments update their pre-incident plans annually and complete a 360-degree survey, noting any areas of interest. Departments should update pre-plans more frequently for significantly renovated buildings or high-risk facilities, such as nursing homes or schools.  

Many departments struggle to initially create pre-incident plans, especially thorough ones that provide comprehensive coverage. This gap in preparation can reduce the effectiveness of emergency response. Failure to update RMS data could cause an unnecessarily dangerous situation, as firefighters may be forced to respond to a scene that has additional unknown threats. For instance, if a commander is unaware of hazardous chemicals stored on a property, they may choose a strategy that exposes first responders to increased risk and danger. An up-to-date incident pre-plan can help prevent these situations of uncertainty that could potentially result in injuries. 

Improved Incident Stabilization Times

Incident pre-plans can also help departments lower incident stabilization times, which can have a large impact on saving lives, preventing injuries and minimizing property damage. While various forms of technology aim to reduce response times, incident pre-plans also help streamline the management and mitigation of emergencies. In the past, lead officers created a plan only once they arrived at the scene of the incident and performed an initial size-up of the situation. Incident management technology, like Versaterm Adashi C&C and its flexible solution Versaterm FireMobile lets first responders and commanders view pre-plan information and develop these incident response strategies while en route to an emergency. These solutions provide crucial information that helps commanders strategize while traveling to the scene and allow them to manage more effectively when they arrive, reducing incident stabilization time. 

Boost Your Department’s ISO Rating

While the primary benefit of incident pre-plans is to prepare for a wide variety of incidents, a comprehensive plan can also improve ISO ratings. The Insurance Services Office (ISO) is an independent organization that assesses municipal fire protection in U.S. communities. The ISO Fire Suppression Rating Schedule considers emergency communications, the fire department itself, the water supply system and community fire prevention efforts. An ISO rating provides fire departments with a benchmark for success and highlights areas for improvement. Ultimately, an ISO rating reflects the community’s commitment to safety and preparedness.  

Prioritizing Pre-Incident Plans

As technology progresses to make the collection, storage and management of pre-plan data simpler, public safety departments can benefit greatly from current and detailed pre-plans. Pre-incident planning allows departments to make more informed decisions, promptly manage emergencies and improve their ISO rating. The creation and upkeep of pre-incident plans should remain a priority for fire departments so they can continue to ensure the safety of first responders and the public they serve.    

Discover how Versaterm Adashi C&C can support your fire department, or schedule a meeting with one of our experts.