My mission: To redesign the tablet interface empowering Incident Commanders (ICs) to make informed decisions prioritizing firefighter readiness.
Real-time Data & Workflow: Transforming Incident Commander Interface for Firefighters
Overview
Empowering the future of connected technology and innovation
In early 2023, our team joined Ascent Integrated Tech with a shared goal of creating an innovative unified dashboard experience that leveraged artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and smart technology. Our focus was on optimizing the workflow for firefighter readiness during incidents. I was involved in the entire project journey, from defining the problem to crafting the final tablet design. We familiarized ourselves with Ascent and its verticals, conducted design thinking workshops, and engaged in user research and testing to shape the core concept. Through iterative processes, we refined workflows and developed the second version of our vertical.
Product Researcher and Designer
Role
4 months (Jan 2023 - May 2023)
Timeline
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Generative Research, Data Synthesis
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Ideation & Brainstorming
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Concept evaluation, Wireframing
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UI Design, User Testing
Methodologies
Client
It's a Public Safety Technology company where they focus on developing solutions that specifically benefit Firefighters and Emergency response teams. Ascent's technology offers significant benefits for emergency responders like:
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Improved Situational awareness
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Enhanced safety
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Streamlined data operations for incident analysis.
Ascent Integrated Tech.
Ascent equips Incident Commanders with the tech advantage for informed decisions.
Problem space
Despite advanced sensor data, firefighter safety remains compromised due to communication gaps during incidents
Ascent's core product, a sensor system for firefighters transmits data to a central hub which helps Incident Commanders make informed decisions. However, especially during the incident, there is a lack of visibility and communication difficulties which restricts the system's effectiveness.
Where is it leading?
Firefighter Deaths Leave a Devastating Impact on Families and Communities
The heart of this problem lies in the alarming increase in heart-related incidents. This tragedy not only endangers the lives of these brave individuals but also casts a heavy shadow over their families, who endure the emotional turmoil and unsettling uncertainty tied to these incidents. We wanted to take immediate action to tackle this escalating issue, with a focus on technological interventions to prioritize cardiovascular health and mitigate the risks inherent in firefighting duties.
Current functionality of Ascent's system
Firefighter Deaths Leave a Devastating
Impact on Families and Communities
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Sensors: Track firefighter health (vitals), location (X, Y, Z), and environment (temperature, air quality).
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Data Hub: Combines and interprets sensor data for a clear picture.
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IC Dashboard: Displays real-time firefighter location (map, vitals), and environment, aiding critical decisions for firefighter safety.
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Cool, Cool... But Pk, what does the current Interface look like?
I'm glad you asked. Scroll down to view them
What is the problem?
Incident Commander's system lacks a central hub for visualizing all firefighter data (health, location, environment) in real time. This makes it difficult for them to get a complete picture of the situation and make informed decisions.
We conducted testing with 15+ Incident commanders, EMS, Safety officers, and firefighters, and below are the major issues I discovered:
Low Readability: The UI had a heavy dependence on the color scheme and made screen readability difficult.
Lack of Hierarchy: The present UI was cluttered with information and there was the absence of visual hierarchy making it cognitive overload.
Untrusted Metrics: There were at least 14 metrics listed which made it difficult for Incident Commander to calculate firefighter readiness.
This system is critical to the Incident commander's job of checking the firefighter's health status but it wasn't working for them
Lack of
Hierachy
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Low
Readability
Untrusted Metrics
Our Head of design and technology told us the following:
Design Goals
1. We aim to develop an innovative unified dashboard solution that revolutionizes firefighter readiness.
2. We envision a user-friendly system with an intuitive touchscreen interface designed to cater to the needs of non-tech-savvy ICs, reducing the pressure to make quick and accurate decisions.
3. Our goal for this project is to provide firefighter's critical health metrics to the incident commander ensuring optimal
readiness and performance during emergencies.
Revolutionize IC Interface
Transforming exisiting interface into unified platform for faster decision-making.
Prioritize Real-Time Data
Focus on clear visualizations of firefighter vitals, location, and environment for quicker response.
Straightforward Touch Controls
Create an intuitive touchscreen interface empowering all ICs minimizing learning curve.
Solution Direction
Optimizing the workflow and decision-making of incident commanders with an intuitive and comprehensive dashboard & Streamlining information access and enabling real-time readiness visualization for effective emergency response management.
Our Head of design and technology told us the following:
Design Goals
1. We aim to develop an innovative unified dashboard solution that revolutionizes firefighter readiness.
2. We envision a user-friendly system with an intuitive touchscreen interface designed to cater to the needs of non-tech-savvy ICs, reducing the pressure to make quick and accurate decisions.
3. Our goal for this project is to provide firefighter's critical health metrics to the incident commander ensuring optimal
readiness and performance during emergencies.
1. We aim to develop an innovative unified dashboard solution that revolutionizes firefighter readiness.
2. We envision a user-friendly system with an intuitive touchscreen interface designed to cater to the needs of non-tech-savvy ICs, reducing the pressure to make quick and accurate decisions.
3. Our goal for this project is to provide firefighter's critical health metrics to the incident commander ensuring optimal
readiness and performance during emergencies.
Every project has challenges; this one, in particular, had a rudimentary touch screen, and the pressure to make quick, accurate decisions. We constantly challenged ourselves to think about the ICs and Firefighters and were thinking about how to make the workflow intuitive.
Data drove the new design ✨
Time to design & deliver
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The floor plan is divided into Alpha, Beta, Charlie, and Delta areas for efficient management of the incident site, providing a visual framework for understanding the layout of the incident
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The firefighter's location is displayed on the map using their ID when highlighted.
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Firefighters are categorized into critical and rehab lists to inform the IC about their physical readiness.
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Depending upon the situation of the firefighter, IC has access to send the FF from the site to rehab and vice-versa.
1. Critical & Rehab Firefighter Screen
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The dashboard features a visual readiness bar that provides a clear representation of firefighters' physical readiness based on 7 core metrics.
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This intuitive design allows incident commanders to quickly assess the fitness levels of individual firefighters, enabling informed decision-making during emergency situations.
2. Firefighters vitals screen
Incident Commanders believed we increased firefighter's likelihood of survival. While the government hired a third party to test firefighters in the field, our redesigned UX received a System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 82. Fourteen points above average.
A glimse into our growth ✨
Impact & Outcome
4.2/5
USER SATISFACTION RATING
82
SYSTEM USABILITY SCORE
85%
OF PAIN POINTS WERE ADDRESSED
1. Conduct usability testing with firefighters in realistic simulation environments to gather valuable feedback on the user experience and identify potential areas for improvement.
2. Explore the integration of advanced data analytics capabilities to analyze historical incident data and identify patterns or trends that could enhance incident response and firefighter readiness.
If I had more time 🌩
Time to deliberate
The highlight of this project was the opportunity to witness firsthand the positive impact our design solutions had on the lives of firefighters. Seeing their enthusiasm, engagement, and excitement as they interacted with the prototypes was incredibly fulfilling. Knowing that our work could potentially make a difference in their safety and well-being was the ultimate reward.
3. What I enjoyed the most 🎉
Immersing myself in the firefighter's readiness project was a profound journey that touched my heart. As I delved into their world, I witnessed firsthand the unwavering resilience and indomitable spirit of firefighters. The stories they shared, the sacrifices they made, and the challenges they faced revealed a depth of courage that left me humbled and inspired.
Reflection
1. Something new I learned 📚
One of the most significant challenges I encountered during this project was striking the right balance between technology and the human element. It was crucial to design a solution that leverages technology to enhance firefighter readiness while respecting the unique skills, instincts, and experiences of these remarkable individuals.
2. My biggest challenge 🚀
You've reached the end of my case study, but don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like to know more about the project or my experience. I'm more than happy to engage in a conversation with you!
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