BOW Tables Web-Based Support System Contract
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Mike Brubaker, Warsaw fire chief, Thursday requested the city purchase the $3,103 system from ACS Government Systems Inc. that covers five years.
“Our system is very basic now, but with the new system we will have the capability of being able to sync all our records together and upgrade the system so it meets our needs in the future,” Brubaker said.
Recently, ACS Government Systems Inc. introduced FH Web, a web-enabled version of Firehouse Software that allows access of the Firehouse Software program from any workstation or tablet device with Internet access.
The system can be accessed from anywhere with a log in.
The system would allow fire personnel to access hydrant locations, business plans, site history and other information en route to the scene or while on a scene.
It also will provide the ability for the Inspections Division to access records, past inspections and violations while on location. The data is secured off-site on two web servers.
ACS Government Systems is the program the department currently uses to put its reporting system on for fire runs and fire inspection records, Brubaker said.
“Our issue with having it on the server at the firehouse, if we want to take a program and interlink it to trucks or for inspections it has to be done on a laptop,” Brubaker said.
Brubaker said the laptop has to be brought back to the firehouse and it has to be synchronized to the department’s server.
He said if the department wants to record information, it has to use a thumb drive in its trucks and it is very labor intensive the way the current system works.
Brubaker said the department currently has backup drives at the firehouse on records, and if a tornado comes through, fire inspection and fire run data is lost.
Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Territory board has approved the purchase of the system.
Jennifer Whitaker, human resources director, said she would feel more comfortable if she went over the system with Brubaker to see what it offered.
Charlie Smith, board member, asked if the fire department had concerns with approving the contract for five years with changes in technology.
Brubaker said he did not have a concern as the WFD currently uses Firehouse for its reporting systems, the business has been around for 15 years and the state uses the programming.
“I share Charlie’s concern that five years is a long time with changes in technology,” Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said. “Going out to five years on a contract is always a concern, and this may not be an issue, but we have two weeks so let’s review this and consider it again at the next meeting.”
Jeff Grose, board member, suggested Brubaker review the system with the human resources department, and come back to the Board of Works in two weeks.
In other business, the board tabled approving a mowing contract for two acres of property to be mowed at CR 200S for the possible new fire station to see if the mowing could be done in house.
Follow staff writer Jennifer Peryam on Twitter at TUNews_Peryam[[In-content Ad]]
Mike Brubaker, Warsaw fire chief, Thursday requested the city purchase the $3,103 system from ACS Government Systems Inc. that covers five years.
“Our system is very basic now, but with the new system we will have the capability of being able to sync all our records together and upgrade the system so it meets our needs in the future,” Brubaker said.
Recently, ACS Government Systems Inc. introduced FH Web, a web-enabled version of Firehouse Software that allows access of the Firehouse Software program from any workstation or tablet device with Internet access.
The system can be accessed from anywhere with a log in.
The system would allow fire personnel to access hydrant locations, business plans, site history and other information en route to the scene or while on a scene.
It also will provide the ability for the Inspections Division to access records, past inspections and violations while on location. The data is secured off-site on two web servers.
ACS Government Systems is the program the department currently uses to put its reporting system on for fire runs and fire inspection records, Brubaker said.
“Our issue with having it on the server at the firehouse, if we want to take a program and interlink it to trucks or for inspections it has to be done on a laptop,” Brubaker said.
Brubaker said the laptop has to be brought back to the firehouse and it has to be synchronized to the department’s server.
He said if the department wants to record information, it has to use a thumb drive in its trucks and it is very labor intensive the way the current system works.
Brubaker said the department currently has backup drives at the firehouse on records, and if a tornado comes through, fire inspection and fire run data is lost.
Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Territory board has approved the purchase of the system.
Jennifer Whitaker, human resources director, said she would feel more comfortable if she went over the system with Brubaker to see what it offered.
Charlie Smith, board member, asked if the fire department had concerns with approving the contract for five years with changes in technology.
Brubaker said he did not have a concern as the WFD currently uses Firehouse for its reporting systems, the business has been around for 15 years and the state uses the programming.
“I share Charlie’s concern that five years is a long time with changes in technology,” Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said. “Going out to five years on a contract is always a concern, and this may not be an issue, but we have two weeks so let’s review this and consider it again at the next meeting.”
Jeff Grose, board member, suggested Brubaker review the system with the human resources department, and come back to the Board of Works in two weeks.
In other business, the board tabled approving a mowing contract for two acres of property to be mowed at CR 200S for the possible new fire station to see if the mowing could be done in house.
Follow staff writer Jennifer Peryam on Twitter at TUNews_Peryam[[In-content Ad]]
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