Empowering First Responders

My name is Tim, and I created ResponderMap after seeing a need for real time road & hazard information while responding to emergency calls.  I have been in the fire service since 2010, and I have worked through many natural disasters and severe weather events in the Pacific NW.  I noticed a communication deficiency when operating with multiple agencies and departments during these events.  Information about which roads were recently opened, and which roads were still closed was hard to keep track of in real time.  Many times, we thought a road was open, only to realize it was still closed while responding to a call.  Other times we took a longer route to avoid a closure not realizing the road was actually reopened.  In both these cases, this resulted in a longer response and delay in service.  This is no fault of any particular agency or department, but a breakdown in the communication process.  During these events, dozens of calls are generating, and radio traffic is at its highest, even with diligent attempts to minimize radio chatter.  Notifications about road status gets lost in the noise.  I created ResponderMap so that communication between any number of agencies or departments could be accurate, instant and easy to share.  If you have a smartphone, tablet or desktop, you can stay instantly connected to the most accurate and up-to-date information possible.  In addition, if you are a citizen you can follow your city or municipality and receive the same instant and accurate information about road closures and hazards.  My hope is to bring all city departments, Fire & EMS, Police, Dispatch, Maintenance, Parks, and City Government onto the same page during severe weather events, natural disasters or any event that closes roads or presents hazards to the community.