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, this is 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. It 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. It 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. These are 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.