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Ocean Springs approves FireSmart dashboard and a two-week youth fire camp
Summary
The Board authorized purchase of a FireSmart dashboard system for fire stations (initial cost about $4,000 plus a $3,000 annual subscription) and approved a donation-supported two-week youth fire camp limited to 20 children (week one ages 7'09; week two ages 9'12).
The Ocean Springs Board of Aldermen authorized the mayor to execute an agreement to purchase a FireSmart dashboard system for the city's fire stations and approved a two-week youth fire camp run by the fire department.
Fire Department representatives described the FireSmart system as an integrated information-sharing dashboard that displays weather updates, inspection and training schedules, and CAD (computer-aided dispatch) information on smart TVs at the main and outlying stations. They said the department trimmed the recommended equipment list and reduced costs from an initial quote of about $15,000 to roughly $4,000'$4,600 for setup, with an annual subscription of about $3,000. "Every time a call comes up, it'd be displayed up on the television with a map," the presenter said, noting improved situational awareness when seconds count.
The board voted to authorize the mayor to execute the purchase agreement so the department can install two smart dashboards at the main station and one at each outlying station.
Separately, fire-department staff proposed a donation-sponsored summer camp for children to provide interactive community outreach and spark interest in fire service careers. The program was described as two back-to-back weeks with a 20-child limit: week one targeted ages 7'09 and week two targeted ages 9'12. The department described activities, safety programming and planned involvement by the police department. The board approved the program.
The approvals carry implementation steps: the fire department will proceed with vendor contracting and installation of the dashboard system under the mayor's authorization and will schedule and publicize the youth camp with a 20-child cap and age-specific weeks.
Cost and funding: presenters said the department reworked its plan to lower capital costs and will pay an ongoing subscription; the transcript references an initial setup figure near $4,600 and a $3,000-per-year subscription. The board did not discuss a funding source in detail at the meeting; presenters said the item was budgeted and cost savings were identified in current cash allocations.
