In a significant move to enhance emergency response efficiency, Brown County, Wisconsin, is upgrading its 911 dispatch center to a modern digital system. This transition is set to improve the speed and accuracy of mutual aid responses across the county’s fire and emergency medical service agencies.

Streamlining Emergency Responses

For years, dispatchers relied on a cumbersome three-ring binder to determine additional resources needed during emergencies. This manual process often led to delays, as dispatchers had to sift through pre-scripted plans developed by the county’s 18 fire departments. Al Matzke, president of Brown County MABAS Division 112, highlighted the inefficiencies, noting the potential for time delays in critical situations.

By June 15, the county will implement HIEBA, a digital platform designed to manage Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) responses. This system will replace static box cards with a real-time, mobile-accessible solution, allowing dispatchers, incident commanders, and responding agencies to coordinate resources with greater speed and accuracy during various emergency situations, including fires, rescues, and hazardous material incidents.

Benefits for Volunteer Fire Departments

The new system will not only save time but also pre-alert departments, enabling them to prepare for potential call-outs. This feature is particularly beneficial for Brown County, where most fire departments are volunteer-based. De Pere Fire Chief Brett Jansen emphasized the advantage of being able to inform staff in advance, increasing the likelihood of volunteers being ready to respond promptly.

The upgrade comes at a time when the Brown County 911 dispatch center is facing staffing challenges and low morale. Chris Brownell, Brown County Public Safety Communications supervisor, expressed commitment to providing top-tier emergency communication services. He stated that HIEBA offers a modern, reliable tool for coordinating mutual aid, ensuring better outcomes when every second counts.

Integration and Implementation

HIEBA integrates MABAS box cards, dispatching workflows, real-time unit tracking, and standardized communication scripts into a single platform. Already in use by over 500 public safety agencies nationwide, the system is designed to align with established MABAS operational principles, ensuring a seamless transition for Brown County’s emergency services.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.