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Retired Texas Ranger briefs Erath County on emergency-response mapping; county expresses interest
Summary
Ranger Danny Bridal of Critical Response Group demonstrated campus- and facility-level tactical maps and the county indicated interest in mapping county buildings and coordinating with the hospital and city.
Ranger Danny Bridal, representing Critical Response Group, told Erath County Commissioners on Monday that his firm creates gridded, north-oriented tactical maps to help first responders find exact locations inside schools, hospitals and public buildings.
Bridal demonstrated the firm’s system, described the gridded-reference-graphic method used by military and law-enforcement units, and said CRG has mapped thousands of U.S. schools and other critical sites. County officials said they are interested in using the tool for county buildings and in exploring partnerships with local institutions.
Bridal said the maps overlay rotated floor plans onto true‑north imagery, label features such as gas and electric shutoffs, AEDs and fire panels, and can be ingested into local CAD and video-management systems used by 9-1-1 centers and first responders. "We provide a common operating picture orientation communication tool for first responders," Bridal told the court.
Robbie Rutter, who said he was speaking on behalf of Judge Cashin, said the judge "is very high on getting this done" and recommended starting with county buildings and later inviting the hospital and the city to participate so that first responders have consistent access to accurate maps across facilities.
Commissioners asked about training, data formats and how CRG integrates with emergency dispatch systems; Bridal said the company offers free training for local agencies and can export mapping data into the CAD and mobile systems used by fire, police and EMS. He also described printed maps and micro/macromaps for command-post setup, helicopter landing zones and reunification points.
No formal action or contract was approved at the meeting. County officials said they will continue discussions with CRG, and that Judge Cashin and staff will pursue coordination for county buildings and potential partnerships with hospital and city emergency services.
Speakers on this agenda item included Ranger Danny Bridal (Critical Response Group) and Robbie Rutter (speaking on behalf of Judge Cashin).
