On-Scene Xplorer

The Bernalillo County Fire/Rescue team recently rolled their new Mobile CAD and Mapping software systems into the field. After a few short months of planning, configuring and implementing, the VisionTEK Mobile CAD and Iron Compass Map Co Mapping systems are deployed!

“The VisionTEK Mobile CAD process coupled with the integration of mapping software and utilizing our Data Ltd. MDTs (Mobile Data Terminals), gives us the ability to respond quicker and locate addresses with higher reliability,” says Bernalillo County Fire Chief John Garcia. “Plus it has eliminated a lot of stress on our radio system.”

“This implementation is another example of great teamwork by people who are committed to success. The combined efforts of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department, the Bernalillo County Fire Department, VisionTEK and Iron Compass Map Co netted the expected results – mobile software tools that better enable firefighter safety, departmental efficiencies and improved public services,” says Elena Castor, VisionTEK Vice President, Sales. “The Bernalillo County Fire Department could not have implemented a better solution.”

“We provided Bernalillo County Fire Department with Iron Compass On-Scene Xplorer mapping and pre-incident planning software for use on computers installed in their apparatus. Working with VisionTEK, the On-Scene Xplorer Dispatch Monitor allows firefighters to automatically locate and navigate to dispatched calls, saving valuable time during an emergency response,” commented John Fix, President, Iron Compass Map Co. “Additionally, firefighters can locate fire hydrants and access pre-incident plans prior to their arrival on scene.”

Bernalillo County Fire Department
The Bernalillo County Fire Department is the second largest Fire Department in New Mexico and is under the direction of Fire Chief, John Garcia. The Department has over 215 sworn firefighters, holding various ranks, who respond to over 13,000 calls per year with a service area of 345 square miles. They account for over 145,000 residents in the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County with mutual aid to over 700,000 people in the Albuquerque area.

About Iron Compass Map Co
Our mission is to enable and enhance effective communication among businesses, organizations, and government agencies through the implementation of mapping technologies like GPS-aware fire mapping software. We solve the problems of having outdated, unusable, inaccessible, and/or missing information that are critical to the successful mission of emergency responders. We provide a software platform to store all necessary mapping and pre-incident plans and planning information in a reliable, secured, and shareable digital framework. Our platform has been designed for use where it is needed most “in the trucks and on the scene”.

To learn more about On-Scene Explorer, On-Scene Capture and our mapping services, please contact Iron Compass Map Co at (717) 295-1194 or info@OnSceneXplorer.com. Visit us at www.OnSceneXplorer.com.

About VisionTEK
Since 1993, VisionTEK has provided public safety software solutions to law enforcement, first responders and public safety agencies across the nation. VisionTEK specializes in mobile software: field based reporting, messaging, mobile data, and mobile CAD solutions. Our solutions operate on both handheld and mobile data computer (MDC) platforms and are designed to cost-effectively enable real-time information sharing within or across jurisdictional boundaries via wireless and wired networks. VisionTEK solutions are deployed in over 800 Public Safety agencies.

To learn more about FrontLine Mobile Data System, FrontLine Field Reporting, UNITY Messaging or the Radix message switch please contact VisionTEK at (303) 554-8835 x271 or sales@visiontekinc.com. Visit us at www.visiontekinc.com.

The Marysville Fire Department in Marysville, MI selects On-Scene Xplorer to provide advanced mapping and pre-incident planning capabilities in their apparatus.

“We also included our Firehouse to On-Scene Xplorer converter so the department may maintain inspection data in a records management package like Firehouse, but make use of the data in tactical situation in the vehicles with On-Scene Xplorer.” said John Fix, President of Iron Compass.

Iron Compass also enhanced the St. Clair County GIS database with the addition of over 5,000 building footprints for Marysville and the surrounding areas.

Three fire departments in Humboldt County, California selected On-Scene Xplorer as their next-generation mapping and pre-planning software platform. Arcata Fire Protection District, Eureka Fire Department, and Humboldt No. 1 Fire Protection District joined forces for the implementation.

Included with On-Scene Xplorer software, the departments also acquired new satellite imagery for the area to assist with the mapping of over 10,000 structures for use in On-Scene Xplorer.

Iron Compass will also be providing map books in PDF format that will be printed and for use in the apparatus that do not have computers.

Chester Heights Fire Company in Chester Heights, Delaware County, PA applied for and won a federal AFG (Assistance to Firefighters Grant) Grant for in-vehicle mapping and pre-planning systems. Chester Heights, the lead for the four departments that includes Bethel Fire Company, Concordville Fire Company, and Edgmont Fire Company will be implementing OSX on the fully rugged Panasonic Toughbook CF-30s.

Along with the installation of the Panasonic Toughbooks in the apparatus and the OSX software, Iron Compass will be providing pre-incident planning services for the four departments. Additional services include development of building footprints from air photography for six townships.

The implementation will also include GPS enabled Windows PocketPCs from Pharos loaded with On-Scene Capture software to facilitate fire hydrant collection in the field.

The four departments serve approximately 37,000 residents covering an area of more than 45 square miles.

Visit the Chester Heights Fire Company web site

Iron Compass release On-Scene Xplorer version 2.5 today The version 2.5 includes many enhancements and upgrades. “We want to thank those departments that have provided important feedback to us about how they use OSX and what enhancements they would like to see,” said John Fix, President of Iron Compass. “We worked hard to make sure the new and enhanced features improve the work of emergency responders and are not just ‘gee wiz’ add-ons. Plus, new features have to be easy to use and understand so the training curve is the absolute minimum.”

New installations being shipped will include the new version 2.5. All existing customers are being provided access to the new version as an upgrade as well.

For Immediate Release:

On-Scene Xplorer was install in the Riverview Fire and Rescue Chief’s vehicle in Riverview, New Brunswick, Canada.

On-Scene Xplorer is a mapping and pre-planning software solution designed by Iron Compass Map Company for use by emergency responders. On-Scene Xplorer enables emergency responders to quickly find dispatched location and plan emergency response strategies before arriving on the scene. The On-Scene Xplorer turn-key system includes: On-Scene Xplorer software, rugged Panasonic Toughbook computers, GPS receivers, mapping data and mounting hardware with installation in the apparatus.

Iron Compass Map Company’s mission is to enable and enhance effective communication among businesses, organizations and government agencies through the implementation of mapping technologies. Along with developing the On-Scene Xplorer system, Iron Compass Map Company provides custom mapping services and solutions on a global basis.

For Immediate Release:

LANCASTER, PA – November 30, 2006: Iron Compass Map Company utilized GeoEye’s IKONOS satellite imagery to update mapping database for Gloucester Township in Camden County, NJ.

“Four of the five departments in the township have On-Scene Xplorer installed in the rigs, but the local data base was out of date” said John Fix, president of Iron Compass. “The IKONOS color imagery was ordered to assist with update. The imagery was captured on a Monday and by Friday we were adding new streets, adjusting miss-aligned streets, and updating the building footprints.”

The result of the project was a validated database to update the mapping data used in the departments’ On-Scene Xplorer installation. Better data improves response and overall safety in the township.

On-Scene Xplorer is a mapping and pre-planning software solution designed by Iron Compass Map Company for use by emergency responders. On-Scene Xplorer enables emergency responders to quickly find dispatched location and plan emergency response strategies before arriving on the scene. The On-Scene Xplorer turn-key system includes: On-Scene Xplorer software, rugged Panasonic Toughbook computers, GPS receivers, mapping data and mounting hardware with installation in the apparatus.

Iron Compass Map Company’s mission is to enable and enhance effective communication among businesses, organizations and government agencies through the implementation of mapping technologies. Along with developing the On-Scene Xplorer system, Iron Compass Map Company provides custom mapping services and solutions on a global basis.