A system for operating multiple peripheral devices connected by a serial network in an emergency response vehicle, comprising: a plurality of peripheral devices installed in the emergency response vehicle, at least two of the plurality of peripheral devices having a first device type, each of the plurality of peripheral devices configured to receive addressable commands and to receive and store an address; a controller installed in the emergency response vehicle in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and configured to transmit addressable commands to each of the plurality of peripheral devices such that the plurality of peripheral devices responds to the addressable commands; and a storage medium including software for configuring the system, wherein the software is executed by at least one processor of a computer, wherein the computer includes the storage medium; wherein the software detects each of the plurality of peripheral devices in communication with the controller; wherein the software generates an interactive display including data indicative of each of the plurality of peripheral devices in communication with the controller, the data including a device type for each of the plurality of peripheral devices, and wherein the data indicative of each of the plurality of peripheral devices in communication with the controller is collectively displayed at the same time on the interactive display; wherein the addresses of each of the plurality of peripheral devices are selectable by a user, the software receiving via the interactive display a user specified address for at least one of the plurality of peripheral devices, wherein the computer is configured to complete a configuration of the plurality of peripheral devices and to transfer the configuration and data indicative of the peripheral devices and their addresses to the emergency response vehicle and the controller, wherein the configuration includes information concerning the plurality of peripheral devices and addresses of each of the plurality of peripheral devices, wherein the information includes information identifying which of a group of peripheral devices of the same type is a primary device and a secondary device, and wherein the computer is only connected to the controller, the emergency response vehicle, and each peripheral device during the configuration of the system. a plurality of peripheral devices installed in the emergency response vehicle, at least two of the plurality of peripheral devices having a first device type, each of the plurality of peripheral devices configured to receive addressable commands and to receive and store an address; a controller installed in the emergency response vehicle in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and configured to transmit addressable commands to each of the plurality of peripheral devices such that the plurality of peripheral devices responds to the addressable commands; and a storage medium including software for configuring the system, wherein the software is executed by at least one processor of a computer, wherein the computer includes the storage medium; wherein the software detects each of the plurality of peripheral devices in communication with the controller; wherein the software generates an interactive display including data indicative of each of the plurality of peripheral devices in communication with the controller, the data including a device type for each of the plurality of peripheral devices, and wherein the data indicative of each of the plurality of peripheral devices in communication with the controller is collectively displayed at the same time on the interactive display; wherein the addresses of each of the plurality of peripheral devices are selectable by a user, the software receiving via the interactive display a user specified address for at least one of the plurality of peripheral devices, wherein the computer is configured to complete a configuration of the plurality of peripheral devices and to transfer the configuration and data indicative of the peripheral devices and their addresses to the emergency response vehicle and the controller, wherein the configuration includes information concerning the plurality of peripheral devices and addresses of each of the plurality of peripheral devices, wherein the information includes information identifying which of a group of peripheral devices of the same type is a primary device and a secondary device, and wherein the computer is only connected to the controller, the emergency response vehicle, and each peripheral device during the configuration of the system.