Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

I work for a Fire Department and we don't even use GPS. We have hand drawn map books with a special numbering scheme based on local sectors of the municipalities we protect. We get a box code like 55-09 on the dispatch. We take map book #55 and go to sector 09. It gives a map of the entire neighborhood including locations and distances of fire hydrants complete with information on the water mains they are connected to.

We however just received MDC (Mobile Data Computers) that has our counties entire dispatch software & includes navigation features. However our Engineers (the guys who drive/pump/operate the trucks/engines) have to know the area. The only time we need to consult maps or navigation systems is when we are on a mutual aid call that's well out of our district (4th alarm and onward). However, 4+ alarm fires are rare.