 |
CONTACT INFORMATION
Fire Station Software, LLC
2121 N. 166th St.
Omaha, NE 68116
Need More Information? Email sales at: sales@firestationsoftware.com
Need Help? Email support at: support@firestationsoftware.com
Mark has been a volunteer firefighter/EMT in Omaha, NE since 2001 and is EMT-B, FireFighter I, FireFighter II, and Instructor I certified. He has been developing software since 1997.
"We used to keep records for our training, apparatus checks, and expiration dates in spreadsheets and on paper. For the last 4 years Fire Station has made our lives much easier."
Contact Mark by phone at: 402-403-2254
FAQ
Q: What can Fire Station do for my department?
A: It allows you to transition to a computerized records keeping system at a relatively low cost. It also gives you the power, among other things, to stay on top of expiration dates, track problems with your apparatus, retrieve training records for an individual, and see who's making calls. It can even help lower your ISO rating.
Q: How can Fire Station lower my department's ISO rating?
A: Although there is no special credit for electronic record keeping, ISO does make deductions for training categories, testing and manpower based on poor record keeping.
Q: Why should my department use Fire Station?
A: Cost, ease of use, and customization. Fire Station costs less than other solutions, but still provides the power to keep all of your records in one place. Fire Station is intuitive and easy to use without extensive training. Adding a requested feature is no problem, just let us know what you want.
Q: What's new in Fire Station?
A: SQL Server support, creating invoices, Annual Pump Service Tests, Personal Inventory and NFIRS 5.0 Reporting are the newest additions to the program. The Ladders module is also new. Check it all out on the Modules page.
Q: What's coming up in future releases?
A: Subcriptions (Fire Dues) module and mobile tablet support (Windows 8).
Q: How do I run Fire Station so that multiple people can enter information?
A: There are many ways to run Fire Station so that multiple users can access the program.
1. File Sync
Fire Station keeps all of its data in the FireStation.mdb MS Access file. A simple way to enter information from two computers is to check the FireStation.mdb file out like a library book. For example, Fire Station is installed on a computer at the station but someone needs to enter data over the weekend using their laptop. All you would need to do is copy the FireStation.mdb file from the station computer to the laptop and then copy it back to the station computer from the laptop after the information was entered. Of course, any changes made to the station computer would be overwritten when the file from the laptop is copied.
2. Network share
After you install Fire Station, you can create a network share on that computer of the folder where Fire Station is. To run the program from another computer, you would just have to navigate to that share and run Fire Station there. For example, Fire Station is installed on a computer named FSCOMP and the C:\Fire Station Software\Fire Station folder is shared as “FSSoftware”. Another computer would just have to navigate to \\FSCOMP\FSSoftware and double-click on the FireStation.exe to run the program.
3. Remote Desktop
Some departments install Fire Station on a single computer and then use Remote Desktop to access the program. Only one person at a time can access the computer, but it can be reached by anyone with remote access.
4. Database on the network (version 2.3)
The latest version of Fire Station allows you to put the FireStation.mdb file on a network share and then run the program on any computer attached to the network. If you have version 2.3, just copy the FireStation.mdb file and the Images folders (ApparatusImages, FFImages, etc.) from C:\Fire Station Software\Fire Station to a network location. Then run Fire Station and in Admin, Manage Settings, Database tab, select the Network Access option and put the path to the FireStation.mdb file.
Reminder! The single license for Fire Station only covers up to 4 computers.
5. SQL Server (version 3.0)
Version 3.0 of Fire Station allows you to either host your data on your own SQL Server or have Fire Station Software host it (additional charges apply). The advantages of having Fire Station Software host your data is that it is now in the Cloud and accessible from any computer connected to the Internet.
Q: How do I get the latitude and longitude for a location in the PrePlanning module?
A: Use Google Maps. Click Maps Labs and enable either the LatLng Tooltip or LatLng Marker.
Q: What settings should I use in the Email Settings so that I can use my Gmail account?
A: The SMTP Server should be "smtp.gmail.com", the Port should be 587, and Use SSL should be checked. The From Address and Username should be your full Gmail email address. The Password is the Gmail account password.
Q: How do I add a new email address to get notifications for Apparatus Checks and/or Expiration Dates?
A: In the Admin section, click Manage Settings. Enter a new email address in the Email Address box and click the Add button. Select the Email Apparatus Checks and Email Expired Items Notifications check boxes for this email address and click the Update button. Lastly, click the Save button on the top of the screen.
Q: How hard is it to upgrade the program once it is installed?
A: Updates to Fire Station come out frequently. It is best to be on the latest version to take advantages of the new features that keep coming out. Upgrade files will be delivered to you by email or via link to download. Once you download the files, unzip them using your favorite zip utility. If you don't have one, try 7 Zip, a free compression program. Do the following:
1. If you have the Apparatus Checks or Expiration Date modules, stop the services via Control Panel.
2. Copy the files from the zip file into the Fire Station installation directory (C:\Fire Station Software\Fire Station).
3. Run Fire Station. This is important as the program will update the database for the new version if necessary.
4. Re-start the services.
Q: I just received the update to version 2.3 and I have it installed. How do I start using NFIRS 5.0 reporting?
A: To turn on NFIRS 5.0 reporting, do the following steps:
1. Check the Use NFIRS 5.0 Reporting check box on the Incident Reporting tab in Admin, Settings.
2. Add Stations, Districts, Assignments, and Alarm Types in the NFIRS 5.0 Options.
3. Enter all of your department information on the My FD tab in Admin, Settings.
4. Save your settings and restart Fire Station.
5. Assign a Station Assignment to each firefighter on the General tab in Personnel, Manage Personnel.
6. Enter a NFIRS ID to each apparatus on the Details tab in Apparatus Checks, Edit Inventory.
7. You are all set! When entering a call you can choose from either a "quick" or NFIRS call.
Q: Where is Fire Station installed?
A: Check out the Google map below!
View FSS Locations in a larger map
|
| |
|  |
|