We also address the design for the company commander who simultaneously participates in both systems. These initial designs are the result of ethnographic-style investigations into firefighting practice combined with iterative design. Our goal with the Firefighter Communication System is to provide a solution that reduces the communication failures while maintaining a robust and flexible system.
Firefighters refer to themselves as a paramilitary organization.
At the upper levels of the tree, the officers issue orders and receive system updates. These individuals do not enter the structure. At the bottom of this tree lie the companies, teams of four individuals who actually enter the structure on fire. These individuals communicate with each other in a more discussion-oriented manner aimed at determining the appropriate implementation of an order. There are many problems with the current communication system.