New county reporting software prompts questions on laptops, personal devices and data access

Members of Oconee County’s rescue squads raised technical, cost and data‑security concerns on April 24 as the county prepares to switch to a locally installed, Windows‑based reporting application.

Several squad leaders said the current web‑based system allowed members to complete reports from home, but the new Alpine application must be installed on a Windows laptop or desktop. Squad representatives asked whether the county would supply machines, whether the vendor or county IT would perform installs, and whether personal devices could be used without risking loss of private data. Chief Carroll said each installation would be tied to an individual machine, that vendor support can provide a remote install code, and that he would double‑check whether personal laptops would be acceptable.

Squad members described local steps already being taken: one squad voted to buy a laptop for each chief plus one each for the treasurer and secretary; another squad plans to budget for laptops. Chiefs noted that some functions—truck checks and inventory—will remain accessible on tablets or phones but that full report entry would require Windows. Several speakers said they would prefer to install the application on existing personal laptops if permitted, rather than purchase additional county devices.

Speakers also asked about legal or investigative scenarios in which data on a device might be requested. County staff said the typical process would be to request the report data first rather than seize personal devices, but staff committed to confirm the county’s procedures and to report back.

Ending: County staff and the vendor will clarify device and installation procedures and return with more details; squads are preparing budgets and interim plans for equipment where needed.