Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Firefighter Response System? What type of agencies is the Firefighter Response System designed for? How does it work? How do volunteers register their response? When should volunteers register their response? Does it take a special phone to register a response? Do volunteers have to push any other buttons once they call in? How quick after a volunteer calls in can agency personnel view the response? What is a Web-based application? Is it safe to transfer information through the Internet? Do I have to install or download any software? Can I view my neighboring department’s volunteer response data during mutual aid calls? How do I get started? What kind of support comes with the Firefighter Response System service? Do you have a free Trial Period? How do I suggest changes or new features?   Ask a New Question

What is the Firefighter Response System? Return to the top The Firefighter Response System is a resource management tool that enables emergency agencies to know which and how many volunteers are responding seconds after they’ve been dispatched.     What type of agencies is the Firefighter Response System designed for? Return to the top The Firefighter Response System is designed for fire departments, ambulance companies, RIT & Hazmat teams, Rescue squads, and any other agencies that reply upon volunteers or paid “call-back” staff.     How does it work? Return to the top The Firefighter Response System is a Web-based application, making it easy to use and operate. Using your existing dispatching system, volunteers are alerted of an incident by dispatch. If the volunteer is able to respond, he or she will call the Firefighter Response System by pressing one button on his or her cell phone (speed dial). The call lasts about 5 seconds and automatically disconnects, enabling the volunteer to focus on safely traveling to the station or scene (for departments that allow volunteers to go POV). After volunteers register their response, personnel at the station and/or those in route to the incident can instantly view which and how many volunteers are responding via computers or mobile data terminals with Internet access.     How do volunteers register their response? Return to the top It is very simple. All they have to do it press one button on a phone and their response will be recorded. The phone call lasts about 4 to 6 seconds and automatically disconnects.     When should volunteers register their response? Return to the top As soon as volunteers start to receive the alert from dispatch and are able to respond they should call into the Firefighter Response System. Volunteers should call into the FFRS application before they start driving. This will enable the volunteer to focus on safely traveling to the station or incident.     Does it take a special phone to register a response? Return to the top No, any phone can be used; cell phones, home phones, work phones, etc. Most volunteer’s use their cell phone and program their speed dial with the Firefighter Response System station numbers. This enables volunteers to push only one button to register their response.     Do volunteers have to push any other buttons once they call in? Return to the top In most cases, no. Each station is provided a virtual toll free number, which the volunteers will program into their cell phones. Once they are alerted, the volunteers will press one button (depending on which station they are responding to) and the system will automatically disconnect the call and log the volunteers in. If the volunteers call back after registering their response, they are able to log themselves out by entering their response status. Also, if the volunteers calls from a phone number that it not entered into the Firefighter Response System, they will be prompted to enter their pin number.     How quick after a volunteer calls in can agency personnel view the response? Return to the top Immediately! Once each volunteer registers his or her response, computers at the station and/or in the field will instantly be updated.     What is a Web-based application? Return to the top Web-based means the Firefighter Response System application is hosted at our Data Center and that you access the application by logging on from your computers browsers.     Is it safe to transfer information through the Internet? Return to the top Yes, your data is encrypted as it travels from our servers to your computers and back again. This method is very secure and is the same process used by banks.     Do I have to install or download any software? Return to the top No. You can access your Firefighter Response System from any computer with Internet Explorer (Version 5.5 and newer) and an Internet connection.     Can I view my neighboring departments' volunteer response data during mutual aid calls? Return to the top Yes, you are able to view your neighboring departments' volunteer response data if they are using the Firefighter Response System. This data is “read-only” and cannot be edited by your department.     How do I get started? Return to the top To get started, contact us or call 877-274-2377.     What kind of support comes with the Firefighter Response System service? Return to the top We provide FREE phone and email support during our normal business hours. (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday - U.S. holidays excepted) We also provide FREE 24/7 emergency support for our clients. In the rare event that this is needed, our support personnel will answer your call no matter what day or time it is.     Do you have a free Trial Period? Return to the top Yes, we offer a Free 60-Day Trial Period, with no commitments or contracts.     How do I suggest changes or new features? Return to the top We are committed to providing a service that will enhance your agencies ability to make informed decisions and we value your ideas and encourage our users to submit their suggestions. Please send us your suggestions using our contact us form.