The Zionsville Fire Department (ZFD) has been selected by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to participate in the second phase of a pilot program to build a digital community risk assessment (CRA) tool. ZFD is among 250 fire departments nationwide to participate in the program.
The tool, or “dashboard,” enables community leaders to gain valuable insights and make data-informed decisions around fire prevention and other risk-reduction activities in their communities. Access to accurate data will allow community risk reduction leaders to use insights to make informed decisions about where to focus efforts and resources.
Participating in the pilot program gives ZFD free access to the dashboard. Features of the dashboard include customized visualizations (maps, charts and graphs) that illustrate each community’s risks and hazards across a variety of categories relative to demographics, geography, building stock, economics, infrastructure and event loss history. ZFD will provide insights around the use of dashboard through June of 2021 to help continue refining and enhancing its effectiveness. The dashboard also provides a snapshot of local capacity for risk reduction activities with information about public safety response agencies and community service organizations.
“We are excited to be chosen as one of 250 fire departments nationwide and only one of four in Indiana to participate in this program,” said Vincent Randolph, Life Safety Educator for ZFD. “We are always seeking ways to improve the safety of those in our community and this tool will give us invaluable information about our community’s needs.”