Saturday, February 15, 2025

Local first responders are using a new app to enhance emergency response

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Emergency response teams are using a new map application to more efficiently coordinate responses to emergencies across Coryell County.

Also called Emergency System Partnership, the application allows local law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS teams to view real-time updates on emergencies within the county and if other local agencies are near the scene.

“It’s nice because we're able to get calls – say it's a medical call and we're headed to it – we know how far EMS is going to be behind us, or how far in front of us they could be, and things of that nature,” Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Conrad Scott said.

Similar to a GPS system, the app allows users to update the map on which areas are flooding or if a fire breaks out. The map also notes which properties are doing controlled burns.

“Once those calls come in, we're able to place those addresses showing that they are burning brush or something out there. In case it gets out of control we know who to tone out,” Scott said. 

For floods, Scott said they can also mark how high the water has risen, and which roads are closed. 

“The map will mark that this bridge is starting to get high with water, so we're able to get deputies out there to start shutting down these bridges and stuff like that,” Scott said.

Installed on dispatch computers and in emergency vehicles, dispatchers can view vital information about a property they are responding to, such as which fire department, hospital, and law enforcement team responds to that address.

“Basically, it gives the deputies a map that they can look at that will give them directions to the house – to their location – quicker than what we've had in the past,” Sheriff’s Office Dispatcher Melissa Lovelady said.

“We (used to) just look at a map and guess ourselves. And now, the map actually tells us who to tone out, as far as fire departments, medical, law enforcement, so there's no question of who needs to be responding,” Lovelady adds. 

If they receive a 911 call, Lovelady said the map is designed so that law enforcement has access to the citizens’ electric or water company. 

“If something happens, we have to get a hold of companies to get them turned off or fixed,” Lovelady said. 

Natural Resources Solutions (NRS), a local consulting firm, first built the application for the Coryell County Sheriff’s Office after their original 911 system crashed in 2023. Since then, NRS has added additional data and resources that are beneficial for first responders countywide.

The sheriff’s office has used the map application for about one year, but other first response teams have recently started utilizing it, such as Coryell Health EMS teams and the Gatesville Fire Department.

The Gatesville Police Department is the most recent agency to begin testing the platform following approval by the Gatesville City Council at a January public meeting.  The police department will start off using the system for six months and then will add it to their patrol units if it works for their team.

“We're doing something so everybody can see everybody and get the same information simultaneously,” NRS President Steve Manning said. “As it stands today, if there was an emergency of some kind out in the county, Coryell County dispatch can see (Gatesville Fire Chief) Billy Vaden and (they) can see ambulances and the sheriff's patrol car going to that.”  

Even though first responders can view similar information on the map, each agency can build it to their specific needs.

“Every time we build a system for another user, they have a separate portal to go through – so it's specific to that particular jurisdiction,” Manning said.

Since many major disasters such as fires and floods require coordinated responses from both local and state agencies, Manning said the Texas A&M Forest Service and Fort Cavazos are also testing the system.

“I really believe this system will help our emergency personnel by providing them with comprehensive knowledge before they encounter situations,” Councilmember Meredith Rainer said. “At the same time, I think our citizens will benefit by having very prepared first responders in emergencies."

Councilmember Kalinda Westbrook believes the app will enhance the efficiency of public emergency services for the city, county, and neighboring communities.

 “The fires on Fort Cavazos a few years ago are a perfect example of how a partnership system would be used to increase response times and even spread out the direction of assistance to the specific areas of need,” Westbrook said. “Our resident's safety is fundamental and quickly attending to emergencies is essential to serving the community.”  

While the public does not have access to technology, the Coryell County website provides an interactive map that shows fires and flooded areas.

“We can show when a road is going to be closed on the map, and that would automatically go to the public side of it,” Lovelady said. “There are also a lot of benefits on the law enforcement side, which is not going to be public.”

The Emergency System Partnership application is part of a $4 million flood mitigation study and model for Coryell County.  The purpose of the study is to build an automatic flood warning system that will alert local officials about incoming flood events and citizens of life-threatening flood hazards in real-time.

The grant funds were awarded to the Texas A&M AgriLife Blackland Research & Extension Center in Temple and the American Conservation Foundation (ACF). NRS is working with ACF on the project.

“We're taking baby steps now, but we're building a system so that everybody's on the same page,” Manning said.