Fire Fighter-Developed Software Could Go National

November 8, 2006 – David Goble and Edward Herbst, members of Philadelphia, PA Local 22, have developed software designed to efficiently manage resource inventory, training needs and regulation changes at the local, regional, state and federal level.

The United States Asset Management System (USAMS) helps fire fighters and governmental departments manage the massive amounts of data associated with a post 9/11 world. In the event of a large-scale disaster, it is designed to assist with resource deployment at every emergency preparedness and response level. The program also includes training management, inventory purchasing and control, daily operations, communications, reporting and management oversight functions.

Goble and Herbst developed the software to organize the enormous amount of data used by the Philadelphia Local 22 HazMat Team. “We realized this application could potentially be used on a national level, making daily tasks easier for fire fighters and other first responders,” says Goble.

“This software allows us to see where all of our resources are, and how much we have in supply,” adds Herbst. “We already are using version 1 in Philadelphia, and are optimistic about the capabilities of the next three iterations of the product.”

If the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) supports this concept nationwide, version 2 will be developed on a regional level, version 3 will expand to the state level and version 4 would become a nationwide effort.

“During times of national crisis, USAMS has the potential to become an important logistical and planning tool for incident commanders,” says Goble.

When Goble and Herbst first proposed the software to the Philadelphia Fire Department, City Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers immediately recognized its value and assigned Deputy Commissioner of Operations Earnest Hargett to work with Goble and Herbst to implement USAMS in the Philadelphia Fire Department. Additionally, Commissioner Ayers helped facilitate discussions with various government agencies in a position to implement the software at the local and – ultimately – national level.

As other fire departments and government agencies have learned about USAMS and recognized it potential, the IAFF sent letters of support to DHS asking that it review the USAMS concept for application across the nation.