FIRST ARRIVING DEPLOYS LARGE-SCALE DIGITAL DASHBOARD PLATFORM ACROSS THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MD, FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

December 3, 2019 

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, PIO, 240-508-7930

mebrady@co.pg.md.us

FIRST ARRIVING DEPLOYS LARGE-SCALE DIGITAL DASHBOARD PLATFORM ACROSS THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MD, FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT 

Digital Dashboard System Improves Department-Wide Operational and Situational Awareness for First Responders 

Richmond, Va. – First Arriving today announced the deployment of its best-in-class Digital Dashboard system across the Prince George’s County, MD, Fire/EMS Department. With more than 100 digital displays providing mission critical data to over 60 stations, battalion and command offices, and the county’s training academy, the new system utilizes real-time analytics to enhances the department’s ability to respond more efficiently and effectively.


First Arriving’s Digital Dashboard features include:

· Real-time dispatch information, including incident location maps, StreetView and fastest routes
· Equipment maintenance alerts, out of service hydrants, training and certification expirations, pass along information, road closures, upcoming training events and riding assignments
· Easy to update information that can be managed at the county-wide, battalion or station-level
· Full integration with FirstWatch county-wide unit status, ePCR completion rate, hospital status and turnout times
· Real-time weather conditions, forecasts, radar and severe weather alerts

“First Arriving’s Digital Dashboards give our department the ability to take critical data and push that information out to those that need it most,” said Brian Frankel, Deputy Fire Chief, Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department. “Taking data and making it actionable improves system performance and unit utilization, thus allowing our department to better meet our community’s needs.”

In addition to the large display Digital Dashboards, Prince George’s County will also utilize First Arriving’s new desktop platform, which allows agency leadership to view department-wide data and individual worksite information in the office or on the go.


“We are excited to add Prince George’s County to the growing number of departments nationwide utilizing our Digital Dashboards to improve situational awareness and provide critical information when and where it’s needed most,” said Dave Iannone, CEO & Co-Founder, First Arriving. “Our Dashboards give public safety leaders a completely customized solution tailored to the unique communications needs of their department.”


First Arriving’s Digital Dashboard systems service fire departments, EMS, law enforcement, courts and local governments among other users. From small volunteer and combination agencies to some of the nation's largest departments, First Arriving's Dashboards now serve departments in more than 30 states coast-to-coast including Palm Beach County (FL), Mobile (AL) and San Bernardino County (CA).



“First Arriving’s Digital Dashboards give us the information we need at our fingertips,” said Robert Kight, Jr., Lieutenant, Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department. “The Dashboards give us the ability to make quicker, better-informed decisions in a job where every second counts.”
First Arriving’s Digital Dashboards provide full integration with a growing network of more than 50 leading third party technology platforms and service providers, including Active911, Aladtec and Emergency Reporting. To learn more about First Arriving’s Digital Dashboards, visit: www.firstarriving.com/dashboards.



About First Arriving First Arriving is a leading full-service marketing, communications and technology agency specializing in fire, rescue, EMS, law enforcement and local government. We provide innovative solutions, including digital signage, websites, video production and recruitment marketing that transform and engage. Our clients include renowned public safety brands, departments and agencies of all sizes, associations and non-profits. First Arriving is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, and serves clients nationwide. For more information, visit www.firstarriving.com.

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PGFD LODD December 1, 2003 Nadar Ali Hammett

ROLL OF HONOR

Nadar Ali Hammett

• ERT
• Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department
• Maryland
• Age: 29
• Year of Death: 2003

---

Submitted by his mother

Nadar was a very special and loved young man. 

Nadar actually means rare and unique‚ but he was such a wonderful young man his name was defined as: 
Never ending loved person
A man that was so kind and generous
Divine and loving son‚ brother and friend
Always be remembered and loved by his family and friends
Remembered as our angel 

Nadar joined the Prince George’s County Fire Department in 2000. He loved his job very much. He served three years with the Prince George’s County Fire Department as an EMT/Firefighter. He had plans to become a paramedic. He attended paramedic school at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington‚ D.C.‚ expecting to graduate in January 2004. 

On December 1‚ 2003‚ Nadar was taken from this earth in a tragic car accident on his way home from school. Nadar is still missed by all of us. His spirit will always stay with his family and friends. 

WE LOVE YOU!!

Carbon Monoxide Safety

Media Advisory - Prince George's County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department to Receive Donation of 1,500 Smoke Alarms From Pepco

MEDIA ADVISORY - Prince George's County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department to Receive Donation of 1,500 Smoke Alarms From Pepco

MEDIA CONTACT: Michael J. Yourishin, PIO, 240-508-4183

mjyourishin@co.pg.md.us     @PGFDNEWS

MEDIA CONTACT: Michael J. Yourishin, PIO
240-508-4183
mjyourishin@co.pg.md.us 
@PGFDNEWS

For the past 15 years, the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department has received an annual donation of smoke alarms from Pepco. This year, the Department will take delivery of 1,500 smoke alarms, bringing the total of donated alarms to 15,500 over the course of the partnership. Acting Fire Chief Tiffany Green will be present to receive the smoke alarms and talk about the importance of having working smoke alarms in homes.

WHAT: Pepco Donates 1,500 Smoke Alarms to the Fire/EMS Department

WHEN: Tuesday, November 19, 2019, 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Cranford/Graves Fire Services Building

6820 Webster Street
Landover Hills, MD 20784

WHO: Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department Acting Fire Chief Tiffany Green, Pepco representatives, and Fire/EMS Department members

Doc and O2X: A Formula for Success

Doc and O2X: A Formula for Success 

Diane V. Cunningham, Assistant to the Public Information Officer

Current day "Doc"

As part of the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department’s initiative to focus on the wellness and fitness of our members, the third O2X Human Performance Program was held in April 2019. The core objective of O2X of is to help firefighters and other tactical athletes improve their physical and mental readiness and increase their productivity. This revolutionary training and education program is saving lives and building healthier, safer communities.


Firefighter/Medic Captain, Brian “Doc” Dougherty, 19-year member of the Department, has lost 20 pounds as a result of his participation in the O2X program. When asked what motivated him to give the program a try, he stated, “Initially, it was that the Department was putting on this program and wanted everyone to go through it. But on a more personal note, I had gotten to a point where I wanted to be in better physical condition. So, here was the Department offering something to actually give me guidance to accomplish this goal.”

Captain Dougherty boasts of having an overall sense of wellness. “I feel better and am able to do more stuff, which is essential in this profession. When I became a firefighter, I was already older than the individuals who started recruit school with me,” he says. “As an officer, I want to be both a source of encouragement and a role model to those who are just getting started in this profession. If I can inspire them—even if only one—to take their physical welfare seriously, they will likely have long and healthy careers.”


For Doc, getting a handle on his eating habits—what, when, and how much—was the most challenging part of the program. “There is no definitive break time in this career. In most instances, you have to eat when you can. Knowing that at any moment an alert could sound for an incident, you tend to gorge. Some of those days, you don’t run the calls that would allow you to burn off all the food you ate. Over time, shift after shift of undisciplined eating is naturally going to cause the numbers on the scale to rise,” he explained.


“One of the things I learned in the O2X program that really works for me is to drink water before meals. Your stomach is the size of your fist, and since your body is mostly water, you fill up pretty quickly. As much as possible, making healthier food choices is best. However, if you’re not eating the healthiest foods, it’s likely you won’t eat as much if you drink water first.” Doc understands as well
as the next person that there will be times when we are going to eat what we like, healthy or not. “Having some of the not so healthy foods I like,” he says, “is not so bad as long I don’t overindulge. The idea is discipline and moderation, not deprivation.”


The O2X program is a holistic approach to mind and body wellness. Each participant receives the same information but uses it in the way that best works for them. Captain Dougherty lives five miles from Fire/EMS Station 818 where he is assigned. Prior to transitioning to shiftwork, he began riding his bicycle to work every day. “I now bike on my days off, often putting in 30 to 50 miles on some days. I’ve even found a group that rides on the weekend!” he said.


Although Doc was active prior to beginning O2X, he admits that his level of activity was not compensating for what he was eating. The result, of course, was weight gain. He attributes the program with helping him confront his poor eating habits. “This,” he says, “was the key part for me. As I stated previously, each participant uses the information in the way it best suits them. This was my take away from the program.”


Each participant in the program was given a textbook and a workbook that allowed them to track their progress. Doc says, “Taking the information to heart and applying it is really what determines a successful outcome for the participant.” The O2X program’s methodology—Eat. Sweat. Thrive. —addresses the heightened stress levels, work/life balance issues, high-risk activities, and disproportionate rate of job-related injuries that have long been accepted as part of the day-to-day lives of firefighters. “It is imperative that all three components are in place. I was exercising, and I still gained weight. Healthy eating, exercise, and mental wellness all go hand-in-hand,” says Doc.

Today, Captain Dougherty weighs eight pounds less than when he began his career with the Fire/EMS Department 19 years ago. “I feel great, have more energy, and am in better shape now than I was at the start of my career,” he says. When asked if he would recommend the O2X program, he responded, “I absolutely would recommend the program. However, the most important thing is to get started with whatever programs or tools that are available to you. If you keep in mind that success is not the destination but the journey along the way, you will do just fine.”

National School Bus Safety Week

The week of October 21st-October 25th is National School Bus Safety Week. This public education campaign focuses on the importance of school bus safety, especially when it comes to other drivers on the road. 

The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department is proud to support the Maryland Center for School Safety and the National Association of Pupil Transportation and do its part to make sure drivers are aware of the law and the importance of school bus safety. 

"We are requesting the help of our partners and the entire community in reminding all drivers about school bus stop arm safety," said Maryland Center for School Safety Executive Director Kate Hession. "We have placed messaging in all of the Motor Vehicle Administration service centers throughout the state and launched a new school bus safety public service announcement on social media, television, and digital billboards to remind drivers to STOP for any school bus with its flashing lights on and stop arm extended.”

In Maryland, it is illegal to pass a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended when it has stopped to load or unload students. The law states that if a school vehicle has stopped on a road and is operating the alternately flashing red lights, the driver of any vehicle following or approaching the school bus must stop at least 20 feet from the front or rear of the school vehicle. Failure to stop for the bus can result in up to a $500 fine, three points on a driver's license, and increased insurance rates.

For more information on National School Bus Safety Week, visit www.napt.org/nsbsw. You can also follow the Maryland Center for School Safety on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram all week to share their information and tips at hashtag #NSBSW.

Poster designed by Shivangi Ojha, an 8th Grader at Belton ISD in Temple, TX.

Effective Press Briefings

We previously discussed the four types of emergency alert and warning systems used by public safety agencies. When faced with a disaster, crisis situation or working incident, it is important to quickly provide the media with as much information as possible. A press briefing is a logical next step once an emergency alert has been communicated. More informal than a press conference, press briefings are used to give updates during a developing event. In our latest blog post, Mark Brady revisits our webinar, “Time-Critical: Communicating Effectively During Disasters and Major Incidents,” and discusses strategies for press briefings – information, timing and best practices.

https://www.lexipol.com/resources/blog/strategies-for-effective-press-briefings-during-critical-incidents/

If you’d like to share on your personal social media account(s), below are sample posts:

1. A press briefing is the next step following an emergency alert. Here are 5 essential types of information to provide the public: https://www.lexipol.com/resources/blog/strategies-for-effective-press-briefings-during-critical-incidents/
2. Press briefings are a way to build trust with the public through accurate, timely information. Consider these best practices for critical incident communication:https://www.lexipol.com/resources/blog/strategies-for-effective-press-briefings-during-critical-incidents/
3. “One message, many voices.” An agency’s message to the public should be consistent no matter who is speaking: https://www.lexipol.com/resources/blog/strategies-for-effective-press-briefings-during-critical-incidents/
4. Press briefings are essential for providing timely information to the public following critical incidents. Learn how to effectively communicate your message: https://www.lexipol.com/resources/blog/strategies-for-effective-press-briefings-during-critical-incidents/

Thank you!

Lauren Woodyard

Marketing Specialist

Office: 469-731-0858 

 

Lexipol | PoliceOne | FireRescue1 | EMS1 CorrectionsOne | LocalGovU | EfficientGov 

Mark E. Brady

Chief PIO

Prince George's County Maryland Fire/EMS Department

PIOMarkBrady@gmail.com

240-508-7930

Twitter: @PGFDPIO