Jared Cayley, Fire Chief for the Gravenhurst Fire Department, will likely have a tidier desk thanks to the department’s new software system.
During Gravenhurst’s Oct. 17 council meeting, they gave a thumbs up to the fire department to replace some of its “aging and unsupported” systems. “When I first arrived in Gravenhurst I was taken aback by some of the software we were using,” said Cayley.
He described the situation as staff “wallowing” in paperwork.
The new software, called First Due, will cost $14,760 a year to maintain, which Cayley said will cost about $5,000 more than the department’s previous programs.
Cayley excused the jump in cost by pointing out it will likely be made back in savings. “I see it as allowing us to do a lot more with minimal staff,” he explained, adding it means less paperwork, too.
Currently, Cayley explained how the fire department has a handful of programs that will now be consolidated into one. “These programs perform functions that oversee inventory, manage vehicle and equipment maintenance, monitor payroll, aid in the dispatch of personnel to emergency incidents and maintain databases for department information, to name just a few,” he said.
“It affects everything we do,” added Cayley.
He said that despite realizing the issue soon after he was hired as fire chief in May 2021, a system like First Due was not yet available. Cayley added purchasing programs that would serve as short-term fixes would only add to the already heavy workload firefighters face. “It was not feasible,” he said.
Mayor Heidi Lorenz was not able to attend the meeting so Coun. Randy Jorgensen took on her role.
“I think it’s that we offer our firefighters and the department the best that we can to help you do your job easily,” he said.
