ORANGE COUNTY, Va. – At this year’s Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS) in Richmond, Va., the GIS Division of our Information Technology Department was honored with a Commonwealth Technology Award from Government Technology. The award recognized the “Fire & EMS Call Data Dashboard” project, which was developed in partnership with County of Orange Fire & EMS (COFEMS) to support their lifesaving efforts with data-driven digital visualizations of call volume and response.
The Dashboard creates a visual representation of many information points, in the form of a map, based on monthly reports generated from our Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. This new tool is a gamechanger for COFEMS, which averages nearly 1,400 unit dispatches every month.
The dashboard is not a static display, rather it empowers COFEMS leadership with the ability to apply hypothetical scenarios and see realistic results based on historic data. Armed with the information the dashboard provides, COFEMS leaders can match their first-hand experience with objective statistics to better allocate existing resources and plan for the future.
“Our innovative team has once again worked together to creatively improve operations,” said Glenda Bradley, Deputy County Administrator. “This is an excellent example of how traditionally behind-the-scenes departments, like Information Technology, can provide impactful support to front-line personnel. The award also supports the Board of Supervisors’ decision to relocate Information Technology in the new Public Safety Building, by demonstrating the improved communication which led to this innovative solution and better integration of technology in public safety operations.”
For more information about GIS, visit www.orangecountyva.gov/823/GIS-Information.