Texting solution with acknowledgment?

[buddyhackit9]

Hi, I am wondering if anyone is using a good texting to cellular phone solution that has an acknowledgement feature as well? I have found a few variations, but would like some input from people that are already using the systems. I am looking for a system that can mass text to firefighters during 2nd and 3rd alarms and they can then respond with a text or phone call if they are responding. Hopefully a dispatcher can then have a computer screen where the firefighters pop up as they respond and have a head count.

Let me know if you can suggest something worth looking at.

P.S. I am in Canada, but if it is through SMS, I don't see why a solution wouldn't work here if it works in other countries.

Thanks.

[firebuff880]

Afternoon

I can't speak for the Canadian carriers. But we have been doing Incident Notification, Situation Awareness and staff recall for more than ten years now, and keeping up with the gateway changes and connectivity requirments with the US carriers is almost a full time headache.

Depending on your carrier, and what connectivty they allow you should be able to do a Wireless Communications Transport Protocol (WCTP) connection and then receive acknoweldgments and replies back for your situation.

You might check the I AM RESPONDING and Fire Companies Communications Pack product offerings, I beleive they both do what you are looking for directly and you will find discussions on the forums here about both offerings. An of course we would be happy to help if you think our solution fits.

http://www.dapage.net

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[voyager9]

I am looking for a system that can mass text to firefighters during 2nd and 3rd alarms and they can then respond with a text or phone call if they are responding. Hopefully a dispatcher can then have a computer screen where the firefighters pop up as they respond and have a head count.

Check out www.iamresponding.com. Sounds like it's exactly or close to what you're looking for. FF's speed-dial a number and enter 1-9 (or hang up) and their response shows up on a web page. The system also allows mass SMS texting to user-defined lists. I've also heard they're integrating with many dispatch centers to provide call/incident information on the web page and through text/email.