Nassau Fire Marshal's Office testing new app to improve efficiency of dispatch system
An app that is in the works would give fire departments real time access to emergencies that are happening, and which departments will be responding.
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The Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office is testing a new app following a Herricks house fire that turned fatal.
Dozens of firefighters from nine different fire departments responded to the fire that killed a 60-year-old woman.
One of the closest departments to the house fire is located on Willis Avenue in Williston Park. Fire officials say, however, Williston Park was put on standby that day to handle other calls in their district while the nearby fire was being fought.
Questions have already been raised about the response time to the fire.
Now efforts are being made to increase volunteer firefighter staffing and improve the efficiency of the dispatch system.
An app that is in the works would give fire departments real-time access to emergencies that are happening, and which departments will be responding.
"It has the ability to show you what assets are available to the chief in charge of any given incident," says Assistant Chief Fire Marshal James Hickman.
Nassau County is also rolling out a renewed recruitment effort to get more volunteer firefighters because some departments are shorthanded.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman told News 12 in a statement in part, "We are amplifying the benefits of becoming a volunteer firefighters or ambulance worker, and make sure that those who do serve have the resources they need to keep themselves and the community safe."
