First Iz: First Eyes' For First Responders

During an emergency, a few minutes can mean the difference between life and death. A recent study by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) revealed that more than 10,000 lives could be saved each year if emergency services can shave one minute off of every 911 call and quickly locate and respond to a situation. To that end, over the past decade, computer-aided dispatch systems (CAD) have helped 911 dispatchers accelerate the process of handling calls from landlines and smartphones, as well as text messages by quickly routing emergency calls to the nearest fire department, hospital, or police precinct while providing key details about a caller’s situation.

However, these systems fall short when all of the information about a call for service cannot be entered into CAD or conveyed by the dispatcher because there is a myriad of information flowing in a short period of time. Alongside, challenges also arise when emergency response teams are needed outside the 911 district where a call originated—a common occurrence in rural areas or big jurisdictions. But, what if there was an alternative way for first responders to see and analyze an emergency situation before they could get there?

Phil Burks, the CEO of The Genesis Group, a global software solution provider, is turning this idea into a reality with his new venture, FIRST iZ®. The firm is leveraging drone technology to enhance the ability of emergency response teams to de-escalate and resolve issues in the safest and most effective manner. “Our new patent-pending drone system enables first responders to inspect an incident before they get there and be prepared to handle the situation seamlessly,” says Phil Burks, founder, FIRST iZ. Pronounced as ‘first eyes,’ the namesake UAV system is programmed to autonomously fly to the location of the incident at over 60 mph, send live video while in transit, sniff for hazardous gases, hover while still sending live video, and allow first responders to ‘know’ what they are facing before they dispatch vehicles and people. Burks believes FIRST iZ will revolutionize how first responders are briefed and equipped to respond to incidents.

FIRST iZ is powered by a novel navigation software package Genesis PULSE—an emergency software solution owned by The Genesis Group—for autonomous drone operation and UAVs designed for optimum flight times to arrive first on a scene. Often, a 911 caller may not be able to accurately describe the severity of a situation, which prevents dispatchers from understanding the kind of personnel and assets required at the spot. This is where FIRST iZ makes the difference. When a 911 call is received, information is entered into the CAD system, and once the GPS coordinates of the incident are calculated, the Genesis PULSE software locates the nearest FIRST iZ drone—at a city-or county-owned facility such as a fire station or police substation. With just the click of a button, the drone can be autonomously dispatched to the site of the desired location.