When the FBI GmbH in Geislingen near Ulm (Germany) was looking for a digital monitoring solution for breathing apparatus (BA) operations for its rescue units at tunnel construction sites, none of the developments available at the time met its requirements. Through cooperation with Mission Buddies, who had previously made their app available for general firefighting operations, their app could be expanded for tunnel operations. Andreas Müller from FBI GmbH explained the development and use of the app at our 14th Online Forum together with Pascal Steinmüller and Dustin Keller from Mission Buddies.
Paper documentation as a reference
The rescue units of FBI GmbH utilise a specially developed overview for monitoring the BA operations of their unusually sized rescue teams, which is recorded on paper as standard. All data relevant to the operation of the teams deployed is documented on a single sheet of paper. The only other tools required are two timers and magnetic pads.
To better support procedures during tunnel operations, an enhanced Ba operations monitoring app is now in use, the basic model of which was initially developed by Pascal Steinmüller for the Munderkingen fire service. However, paper documentation that is independent of electricity and networks will continue to be kept as a backup for the digital monitoring.
BA operation monitoring possible in parallel with other tasks
A key requirement of the FBI rescue units for digital monitoring was that other activities could be carried out in parallel with monitoring. To make this possible, the app supports the usual procedures. Time intervals for checking the pressure can be defined to remind you to do so using acoustic and visual signals. Additionally, the time remaining until a team should retreat is automatically calculated and displayed. It applies to single- and double-cylinder BAs as well as regeneration apparatuses.
Monitoring of breathing apparatus operations of unusual team sizes
One of the new integrations in the Mission Buddies app is the monitoring of unusual team sizes. Up to five persons may be registered per team. During monitoring, the lowest BA pressure in the team is queried and recorded. According to Dustin Keller from Mission Buddies, this simplification aligns with the common practice of the fire services with which the company is in contact.
Automatic log of BA operations
BA wearers can register in advance through the app. When forming a team, BA wearers are assigned to the team by selecting them from a drop-down menu. Alternatively, team members can be checked in by scanning an individual QR code. When the team is dispatched, this is recorded in the app. The app ensures that routine checks, such as the current residual pressure in the cylinders, are not forgotten. All entries in the app are documented together with a timestamp. During the operation, it is also possible to record individual activities and events directly in the app, such as locating a rescue. The task and its location can also be stored for each team.
App is continuously being developed
For tunnel operations, Mission Buddies is currently working on an update that will enable live monitoring of selected vital data of emergency personnel. It is intended to increase their safety at great depths of penetration to the operating site in the tunnel. The automatic documentation of radio communications is not currently under development, but it is an option for the future.
Test the app yourself in everyday operations
Fire services can use the BA monitoring app free of charge. For safe handling, it should be used in as many operations as possible, not just in tunnel operations. Further information is available on the Mission Buddies website.
