Gainesville Fire Chief Jerome Yarbrough said the fire department is in the process of integrating more technology in daily operations.

The idea, he said, is to “bring the station out to the scene.”

“Right now we operate on software called ‘Fire House.’ It tracks our run calls, hydrants, inspections — basically everything we do at the fire department is tracked on this program,” he explained. “In the past, we’ve been limited to having this in the office, but because of iCloud, we will be able to access it via mobile.”

iCloud is an Apple technology that backs up and stores data remotely; devices synced with the iCloud can access the data with an Internet connection.

“Vehicles will be equipped with iPads so they can pull up important information when needed,” Yarbrough said.

City Manager Kip Padgett said improving efficiency and access to data is just another way the city can maintain the credentials to keep home insurance rates lower.

“We’re an (Insurance Services Office) rated fire department right now; we want to continue keeping that low ISO rating. It’s something we constantly strive to maintain,” he said.

The ISO rates areas on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being safest from fires, 10 being most prone to fires. Citywide, the highest rating is a 2, Padgett said.

“Fire suppression, firefighters out there on the scene, city inspection,” were several factors Padgett noted.

Yarbrough explained how mobile-based technology might help a building inspection.

“They can actually pull up the business on the iPad, do the fire inspection, go through a checklist, then email the final report. It cuts down on the paper trail and is more efficient,” he said.

While there’s an initial investment in the process, it should save money over time, Yarbrough said.

“It will be a saving in the same process. We’re updating all the vehicle mobile data, coordinating mobile communication with 9-1-1, location of fire hydrants, battalion chiefs can see where engines are,” he said, citing service efficiency improvements.

As the department familiarizes itself with the technology, he anticipates full implementation by late spring.

“The legwork has been done already, now we’re in the process of implementing it — doing training and getting everyone familiar with the process. If all goes according to plan, everything should be complete by May,” he said.