| South Carolina Forestry Commission's Computer Aided Forest Fire Dispatch System
In 1993, the
South Carolina Forestry Commission began the progression from a statewide network of fire
towers to 3 regional dispatch centers. This was made possible through the use of
airplanes, a statewide radio network and a Computer Aided Dispatch System (CADS) for
forest fire detection and dispatching. CADS was implemented in 1997 and consists of
data entry screens, a replicating database between dispatch centers, and mapping of data
with the aid of a Geographic Information System (GIS). Future enhancements to the system
include greater integration with current GIS capabilities, displaying aerial photography,
utilizing satellite technology for fire detection, adding automated vehicle location
technology, internet access, and a more intuitive user interface. |