As an Assistant Fire Chief, one critical way I stayed ahead of significant weather events was by subscribing to iNWS (Integrated National Weather Service) Mobile Alerts. Whether it was high temperatures, high winds, or red flag warnings, having foresight into these events was paramount. iNWS allowed me to be proactive in my decision-making, giving me and thus my team, the advanced notice to prepare for what was coming.

In the fire service, staying ahead of your environment can make the difference between being reactive and being strategically prepared. Knowing about an upcoming weather event ahead of time gave leaders like myself the opportunity to mentally and physically prepare both teams and resources. Whether it meant staffing up to have more boots on the ground or pre-positioning mutual aid resources, iNWS was a tool that helped ensure my department was ready to respond efficiently when the event occurred.

This isn’t just about having extra people or resources on hand. It’s about logistical and mental preparedness- understanding the situation ahead of time so you can remain calm, think clearly, and stay a step ahead when the storm or high-wind event hits. It enables chief officers, dispatchers, and firefighters to pre-plan their response, reducing the chance of being caught off guard.

Imagine the difference in mental and physical preparation that comes with having one day's notice versus three days’ notice of a tropical storm or red flag event. With more time, you can hold critical discussions, refine your plans, notify the workforce, and instill confidence in yourself, throughout the team, and ultimately, as an organization, ensuring a coordinated and efficient response.

One of the most advantageous aspects of iNWS is that it’s available to any government agency, with alerts sent via SMS or email. You can tailor your subscription to target your specific region, city, or area based on the type of weather event. This allows for timely, localized information that ensures you receive alerts the moment the National Weather Service submits them. Simply go to https://inws.ncep.noaa.gov/ to request an account and you will be able to tailor the alerts to certain regions, event types, and have them sent to your email or via SMS.

Similarly, Tablet Command offers a significant advantage in delivering timely notifications. Customers who use Tablet Command and TC Mobile can subscribe to alerts for any unit or incident type within their communications center or department. Major metro agencies that deploy TC Mobile have reported improvements in response times, with crews able to get out the door 30 to 60 seconds faster than through traditional station alerting systems.

The speed advantage is critical- once a dispatcher verifies the address and call type, Tablet Command instantly sends push notifications to those subscribed, giving crews valuable extra seconds to map the location and even start walking to the engine before station alerting has kicked in.

For crews not yet assigned, these notifications enhance their situational awareness, enabling them to anticipate potential needs for additional alarms or the need to cover an adjacent station’s area. It's all about being a step ahead- just like subscribing to iNWS alerts allowed me to plan ahead for weather events, Tablet Command empowers crews to stay ahead in their incident response.

In both cases, the key takeaway is this: preparation through advanced notice improves response outcomes. Whether it's weather events or emergency incidents, having that extra time to think through the situation, align resources, and communicate effectively gives first responders the edge they need to deliver swift and effective responses.

Preparation doesn’t remove the challenges of unpredictable events, but it gives leaders and crews the time and information they need to act deliberately. Tools like iNWS and Tablet Command aren’t conveniences- they are systems that improve readiness and directly impact the speed and effectiveness of response.

Ready to see how Tablet Command can keep your crews a step ahead? Schedule a demo today and learn how real-time notifications and situational awareness tools can transform your department’s response.

William Pigeon is the CEO and Co-Founder of Tablet Command. With a background in Computer Science and Information Systems from San Diego State University, he began his fire service career in 1998, serving as a firefighter, paramedic, and dispatcher in San Diego before joining Contra Costa County Fire, where he rose to Assistant Fire Chief. In 2011, Will co-founded Tablet Command with Andy Bozzo. Drawing on decades of fireground and communications experience, he leads Tablet Command in developing technologies that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public safety professionals.

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FAQ

What is INWS and why is it important for fire departments?
The Integrated National Weather Service (iNWS) provides mobile alerts about significant weather events such as high temperatures, high winds, or red flag warnings. These alerts give leaders advance notice to prepare staffing and resources. When conditions escalate into incidents, many agencies use Tablet Command to receive immediate dispatch notifications and move crews faster.

Who can use INWS and how is it set up?
iNWS is available to any government agency. Subscriptions can be tailored by region, city, or event type so alerts are localized and timely. Similarly, Tablet Command notifications can be configured for specific units or call types, ensuring information is delivered to the right people at the right time.

How does iNWS improve emergency response?
By providing early warnings, iNWS gives departments time to plan: staffing, staging equipment, and coordinating mutual aid. Tablet Command builds on that preparation by giving responders an immediate heads-up when the incident is dispatched. Together, they shorten the gap between planning and action.

Can iNWS alerts be customized?
Yes. Agencies can set iNWS alerts by location and event type to receive only the information that applies to them. Tablet Command uses the same principle, notifications can be tailored to the units or incidents that a crew or officer needs to follow.

How do iNWS and Tablet Command work together in practice?
INWS provides foresight into developing conditions like red flag warnings, while Tablet Command delivers real-time incident notifications. This combination allows agencies to prepare in advance and then respond quickly, improving readiness before and during the event.

Why does speed matter so much in fire service response?
Every second counts. Faster notifications give crews more time to map the location, prepare, and move. By using iNWS for early warning and Tablet Command for incident alerts, departments maximize both preparation time and reaction time.