Free software substitutes

[CommanderSims]

While trying to catch our department up with technology cost is our main hurdle to cross. I was wanting to know if anyone is using some public free apps to better their department while money is short?

What I am currently looking at and using now is:

Inkscape for digitizing and cleaning up our pre-fire plan drawings. Works well but definitely not designed for this purpose.

ArcGIS for mapping. This is a huge one and our GIS department is a major help to this. This program will allow us to manage our hydrants using mapping software. Other areas it will be used is pre-fire plans, large incident management, and general fire ground tactics. If you don't have a GIS department then you may be limited to your capabilities here.

anymeeting.com. This program is not being utilized yet and I just found it last night. I see a lot of potential for it though. My training chief approached me about getting a video camera to record capts meetings and what not and then send them out electronically to the stations to assist with manpower issues and save on fuel costs. I believe this will be a great asset allowing training to occur over the internet with the guys at their own stations when not requiring hands on techniques.

Your thoughts on these and any other ideas would be awesome.

[Picc.93Truck]

I'm also looking for more free programs. Our department has had a tight budget all year, and it looks like were going to be tight next year as well.

[fire49]

Check cnet for free downloadable software, they rate the software

Can your Internet handle streaming video??

How many stations do you have??

[Picc.93Truck]

Check cnet for free downloadable software, they rate the software

Can your Internet handle streaming video??

How many stations do you have??

Yes and 2 stations, only needing to really keep track of things at one.

[xchief23]

There is an organization called TechSoup, www.techsoup.org, that solicits donations of software and hardware from companies, then resells it to non-profits for a handling fee. Microsoft Office 2010 is like $24 a license through them, they have hundreds of software titles. Much, much cheaper than you would ever find software through retailers. They also have quite a bit of GIS software too. You must qualify your organization by submitting 501 (c)3 statements, and some companies won't allow their donations to be used by fire/rescue organizations, but I think you'll find it to be a great help.