New program keeps better track of firefighter response

The Columbia Falls Fire Department will be getting an upgrade that will allow firefighters’ progress to be tracked when responding to a call.

The Department will begin using the Emergency Responder Reply System, in which firefighters call a 1-800 number when responding to a page. The system relays the number of responders and their proximity to the fire hall.

The City Council on Monday approved the system by a vote of 4-2. Councilmen Don Barnhart and Mike Shepard voted against, while Mayor Jolie Fish was absent from the meeting.

Fire Chief Bob Webber requested the subscription after participating in a free trial period of the Internet-based program.

“I think it’s an absolute worthwhile tool,” said Webber.

Webber said it allows him to monitor on a computer the number and progress of firefighters en route to the fire hall after being paged.

He can then decide within one to two minutes whether to issue a second page if enough have not responded.

“I know that I need to do another page to get more responders in a few minutes instead of four to five minutes later,” he said.

Often during work hours some employers won’t allow a firefighter to leave unless a second page is called, he added.

Annual subscription to the system is $800. The department would also pay per phone call into the system, which Webber estimated to be about $118 per year. Also, Internet service would have to be started at the rural fire hall.

Additional costs may result in finding computers for the system. One computer is already being used and two more would need to be dedicated to it as well.

Subscription to the system was not in the fire departments original budget, but Webber said he would delay purchasing rescue equipment in favor of the reply system.

Councilman Mike Shepard asked Webber if the system was really necessary with upgrades to the

county radio system and 911 center.

“In light of what we’re doing with the 911 won’t that make this obsolete with the new radios?” he asked.

Webber said the system still has value.

“We’re repeatedly asked to restrict our radio use,” he said. “This is a good way to get information without taking up the radio.”

Ron Ross, a fire department member, spoke against the request.

“I think it’s an expense the department doesn’t need right now,” he said. “We’ve used radios for years — it’s worked as long as we’ve had radios.

Barnhart, who is a member of the fire department, voiced his opposition after the vote.

“I think we do budgets for a reason. I would have liked to have seen this in next year’s budget,” he said. “I do think it’s a slick system.”

The fire department is also expected to receive an aerial platform truck from the Kalispell Fire Department.

Kalispell has been unable to sell the 1978 Seagraves truck and has offered to donate it to Columbia Falls. The truck is operable and would require minimal upgrades to make it work with fire hydrants here.

As a result, the city will agree to provide use of the truck to Kalispell when it’s needed. A change to the interlocal agreement between the cities is expected to be voted on at a later date.