Jackson Fire Department implements new ‘Community Connect’ program

JACKSON, Tenn. — A new program has come to West Tennessee and the Hub City is the first with access.

In the spring of this year, the Jackson Fire Department transitioned to a new system for receiving and responding to calls.

“We’re the first one in West Tennessee using this program,” said Cory Cronin, Technology Officer, Jackson Fire Department. “So this program is through a company now known as First Due, and that’s how we recently began receiving our calls to our tablets into the truck. So when dispatch generates a call on their computer, it comes to our computers in the truck. And this company created this platform known as ‘Community Connect.'”

Community Connect is now available, and both residents and business owners are encouraged to get involved.

“So Community Connect is a way for the community to provide information to the fire department,” Cronin said. “That we can use in real time and proprietary responders as they’re responding to an emergency, whether it’s at your home or at your business.”

Through this web-based software, you are able to provide information prior to an incident or in real time, in order to help the fire department as they answer a call for you.

“Where’s your gas? Where’s your electricity? Where are your hazards at your location, and this is more for the commercial side,” said Latrell Billingsley, Fire Marshal, Jackson Fire Department. “But for the residential side… How many children you have in the home, where are the bedrooms at? Do you have any pets in your home? Where is your meeting place? What number should we call once we get there, and we don’t see that everybody’s out of the house safely?”

The system allows one email per residence or business, and you may add information regarding floor plans, code access to your gates and entrances, and if there are any functional needs or equipment like ramps.

And there will be a yearly prompt sent to the email, regarding any updates on information.

If there are issues with the account or you have questions, the system has local administrators within the Jackson Fire Department, so you may contact them directly.

Click here to sign up.

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