Emergency Management Best Practices & Guides

General

What is app and who is it for?

This is a digital platform built to coordinate and streamline emergency mutual aid responses between fire departments, EMS, and other public safety agencies. It follows the operational principles of the MABAS framework, with modern, mobile-first tools for dispatch, tracking, and communication.

Is this an official MABAS tool?

While our system is built on the proven structure and concepts of MABAS, it is a standalone, modern software solution designed to serve agencies that follow mutual aid protocols.

What kinds of Emergencies is this app designed for?

The system supports mutual aid coordination for fires, mass casualty incidents, technical rescues, hazmat events, and natural disasters—any situation where local resources need reinforcement.

Operations & Use

How does Mutual Aid Dispatch work in the app?

Essentially this is the playbook for the dispatcher to follow. Agencies build digital Box Cards that predefine which departments and units respond to each type and level of emergency. When an incident occurs, a dispatcher can trigger a response following those plans, ensuring fast and reliable mutual aid deployment.

What are Box Cards and how are they used in the app?

Box Cards are structured response plans that define which resources (units, apparatus, specialties) respond at each level of alarm. In the app, these are easily configurable and can be activated with a few clicks.

Can I customize response levels or units per incident type?

Yes. The system allows customization of Box Card levels, types of incidents (e.g., Fire, EMS, Rescue), and which units are dispatched at each level.

How do we track which units are responding?

The app uses real-time unit status updates to show which units are en route, on scene, or available. Unit location, timestamped actions, and comments are logged for full accountability.

Operations & Use

Does the app support Inter-divisional or Cross-agency coordination?

Absolutely. Our system supports regional coordination, letting you activate resources across multiple divisions and agencies through standardized, shared Box Cards.

Can this system integrate with existing CAD software?

Yes. The system is designed to support integration with CAD interfaces using industry-standard formats (like XML) and protocols for real-time communication.

Technical

Is this a cloud-based system?

Yes. The platform is accessible from anywhere with secure, authenticated access. It’s optimized for desktop and mobile use for dispatchers, responders, and coordinators.

What happens if an Agency loses connection?

The system is designed to reconnect automatically. When online again, it syncs the latest status updates.

Training & Support

Does our Department need special training to use it?

Basic onboarding is quick, and most features follow familiar mutual aid workflows. For advanced features like Box Card configuration and inter-agency alerts, we offer training resources and support.

Guides, Insights & Best Practices for Crisis Coordination

Common Questions, Clear Answers

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