{"id":578283,"date":"2025-08-30T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-30T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/en-us\/industries\/blog\/?post_type=blog&p=578283"},"modified":"2025-09-03T16:44:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T16:44:48","slug":"dayton-fire-using-arcgis-mission","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/en-us\/industries\/blog\/articles\/dayton-fire-using-arcgis-mission","title":{"rendered":"Dayton Fire’s Unified Command Using ArcGIS Mission"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leveraging the Power of Real-Time Geospatial Interagency Collaboration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

In Ohio, Dayton Fire Department (DFD) has embraced cutting-edge geospatial technology to enhance its operational efficiency during special events and for disaster response. By implementing Esri\u2019s ArcGIS Mission<\/a> application, DFD transformed how it manages resources and personnel locations and shares critical data to be incorporated into real-time command and control. In a recent interview, DFD\u2019s team members\u2014including Lieutenant Chris Rowlett, Captain Ryan McElroy, and geographic information system (GIS) coordinator Brian Arnold\u2014shared insights into their deployment of ArcGIS Mission during a high-profile North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) event in the city over Memorial Day weekend. Their experience offers valuable lessons for fire departments and public safety agencies looking to modernize their operations with geospatial tools.<\/p>\n\n

Dayton Fire Department<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Dayton Fire Department serves a population of approximately 150,000 people and has a force of 325 employees, operating out of 12 fire stations. Equipped with eight engines, four trucks, seven frontline medic units, multiple district chiefs, and an incident support unit, DFD handles a significant call volume\u2014nearly 43,000 incidents annually, with 75-80 percent being medical calls, as well as approximately 365 structure fires per year. The department also coordinates a regional hazmat team and responds to heavy rescue incidents, making it a critical player in both routine and specialized operations.<\/p>\n\n

The Challenge: Managing Complex Events and Disasters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Dayton faces operational challenges ranging from large-scale special events, like the annual air show and the historically large Saint Patrick\u2019s Day celebration at the University of Dayton, to disaster response, like the tornado outbreak that struck the metropolitan area a few years ago. McElroy, who also serves on the Federal Emergency Management Agency\u2019s (FEMA) Ohio Task Force 1 (OH-TF1), highlighted the limitations of traditional methods: \u201cOne of the big issues was the difficulty tracking where our crews were in real time, what they were doing, and whether we were duplicating efforts\u201d. Radio-based communication and handwritten notes often led to inefficiencies, particularly during high-volume events where triaging calls and managing resources in real time were critical.<\/p>\n\n

For example, the Saint Patrick\u2019s Day event at the University of Dayton attracts 10,000\u201320,000 attendees, often placing stress on traditional dispatching methods. \u201cWe\u2019re triaging 15 to 20 calls stacked up on the board, trying to move crews efficiently without walking over each other on the radio,\u201d McElroy explained. These challenges underscored the need for a solution that could provide real-time situational awareness and streamline communication.<\/p>\n\n

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ArcGIS Mission: A Game Changer for Command and Control over Special Events<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

The deployment of ArcGIS Mission during the NATO event marked a significant step forward for DFD. The application, part of Esri\u2019s comprehensive geospatial platform, enabled the department to track the current locations of personnel and apparatus, dispatch tasks, and share data seamlessly within a secure operational footprint. \u201cWe pivoted from our traditional methods to something more event-based, allowing us to dispatch crews, track their locations, and push out information quickly,\u201d McElroy noted.<\/p>\n\n

One key success was the ability to manage a suspicious package incident in a parking garage without relying on radio transmissions. \u201cWe sent the pertinent information directly to the EOD [explosive ordnance disposal] team via the app, and it turned out to be just a gym bag,\u201d McElroy shared, highlighting the efficiency of silent, app-based communication. Joint hazard assessment team (JHAT) members in the field simply received the location of the suspicious item on their mobile maps along with other details. This capability reduced radio clutter and ensured rapid response.<\/p>\n\n

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The department also utilized ArcGIS Dashboards<\/a> providing the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) a unified view of the event area and associated live field activities. \u201cWe customized the dashboard to show the location of all resources and the types of runs\u2014fire, EMS [emergency medical services], investigations\u2014so everyone in the room could see it in real time,\u201d McElroy said. This transparency was critical for coordinating with multiple agencies, including the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Secret Service, and the Ohio National Guard\u2019s 52nd civil support team, all present in the EOC.<\/p>\n\n

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Overcoming Deployment Challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

The collaboration of Esri and the DFD\u2019s internal GIS team, led by Arnold, ensured a smooth rollout of ArcGIS Mission. One challenge was user adoption, particularly with personnel closing the mobile app out of habit, which caused temporary loss of location sharing. \u201cThat was more of a training issue than a problem with the app itself,\u201d McElroy explained. Just-in-time training proved effective, with the platform\u2019s user-friendly interface enabling even GIS novices and field personnel to adapt quickly.<\/p>\n\n

Collaboration Across Departments<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

The ArcGIS Mission deployment\u2019s success relied heavily on collaboration between DFD and the city\u2019s GIS team. Arnold played a pivotal role in configuring maps and integrating data, such as police-provided event perimeters and address layers, to enhance situational awareness. \u201cWithout Brian\u2019s GIS expertise, it would have been much harder to roll out something functional,\u201d McElroy emphasized. This partnership underscores the importance of having a dedicated GIS professional to support public safety operations.<\/p>\n\n

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Lessons Learned and Advice for Other Departments<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

DFD\u2019s experience offers valuable insights for other fire departments considering ArcGIS Mission:<\/p>\n\n