Terms & definitions

A

AVL — Automatic Vehicle Location — GPS tracking that shows where apparatus and units are in real time on a map.

B

Box / Run Card — A predefined list of which units respond to a given address or alarm type. First Arriving can surface the active assignment.

C

CAD — Computer-Aided Dispatch — the system dispatchers use to create and manage incidents. A primary data source for dashboards.

D

Digital Signage — Content displayed on big-screen TVs — in First Arriving, the live operational dashboard mounted in stations and command spaces.

Dashboard — A configurable on-screen layout of modules (incidents, staffing, weather, messages) tailored to a station, role, or display.

E

ePCR — Electronic Patient Care Report — the digital record EMS crews complete for each patient encounter.

Enroute — A unit status indicating a crew is traveling to an incident. Shown as a status pill on signage.

I

ICS — Incident Command System — the standardized on-scene command structure (part of NIMS) for managing emergencies.

Integration — A connection between First Arriving and another system (CAD, scheduling, fleet, etc.) that feeds live data to the platform.

Interoperability — The ability of different agencies and systems to share data and communicate — a core benefit of a unified platform.

ISO Rating — A Public Protection Classification scored by the Insurance Services Office; readiness metrics can support it.

L

LMS — Learning Management System — tracks training courses, certifications, and continuing education.

M

MDT / MDC — Mobile Data Terminal / Computer — the in-vehicle device crews use to receive dispatches and updates.

Minimum Staffing — The lowest number of personnel required on duty; dashboards can flag when a station falls below it.

Mutual Aid — Assistance provided between agencies; the platform can show incoming/outgoing mutual-aid status.

N

NEMSIS — National EMS Information System — the standard for EMS data collection and reporting.

NERIS — National Emergency Response Information System — the modern USFA/FSRI standard replacing NFIRS for fire and emergency incident reporting.

NFPA 1710 — An NFPA standard for career-department response times and staffing; a common readiness metric.

NIMS — National Incident Management System — the federal framework for coordinated, standardized emergency response.

O

OOS — Out of Service — used for apparatus, equipment, or hydrants that are unavailable. A key readiness flag.

P

Pre-Plan — A prepared reference for a specific building or hazard (layout, hazards, utilities) available to responding crews.

PSAP — Public Safety Answering Point — the 911 call center that receives emergency calls and initiates dispatch.

Q

QA / QI — Quality Assurance / Quality Improvement — review processes, especially in EMS, that dashboards can track.

R

RMS — Records Management System — stores incident, personnel, and reporting records.

Roster — The list of personnel on duty, by station and shift, at a given time.

S

SCBA — Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus — tracked for checks and readiness status.

SOP / SOG — Standard Operating Procedure / Guideline — the policies members follow; managed and acknowledged in user accounts.

Station Alerting — Systems that notify a station of a dispatch (tones, lights, audio). First Arriving can display associated info.

T

Turnout Time — The interval from dispatch notification to a unit going enroute; a core response metric.

U

User Accounts — Personal First Arriving logins that give each member dashboards, messages, documents, and acknowledgements on desktop and mobile.