- Decisions for Heroes
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Decisions for Heroes Developer(s) Robin Blandford Initial release 2008 Website www.decisionsforheroes.com Decisions for Heroes is a web based application to help emergency rescue teams make better decisions that may save lives. It was set up in 2008 by Robin Blandford who is an active voluntary member of the Irish Coast Guard.[1] The software is used to collate information and show rescue team leaders what incidents are most likely to occur and where, giving more information than paper filed report systems. The company is based in Howth, a small fishing village in North County Dublin, Ireland - which is often the scene of search and rescue activities.
Contents
Basic Information
The software was trialled for 8 months with over 1,000 participants from several countries. The system relies on a feedback system that allows users to leave improvement suggestions against each page. The software is a web application that users interact with through their internet browser, because of this there is nothing to download. Typical users include Mountain Rescue, Coast Guard, Search & Rescue Dogs, Police., Lifeboats, and Urban Search & Rescue teams. Users sign-in after each incident or training exercise to type in their activity report. The information is updated on their profile and the user is shown statistics and graphs, clearly representing the team's information. Rescue teams pay a monthly subscription to gain access to the service. The initial Decisions For Heroes service was built by founder Robin Blandford in 2008. He saw the global potential of this service having developed a prototype version of the software for his own rescue team. Following waves of positive feedback the application was launched worldwide and is continually in development.
Development
As Decisions for Heroes is a web application it can be adjusted without the user having to update or change anything. The website and program both have suggestions sections and the user is able to have a high level of interaction with how the software changes. The application is continually being adjusted and the rescue teams using it are the driving factor in this.
Awards
- Winner of the IQ €10,000 Prize for 2009.[2]
- Finalist, 2009 The Search for Europe's Top Start-up, Innovate!Europe.[3]
- 2008 European Seedcamp finalist.[4]
- 2008 Most Innovative Website Finalist at the Irish Web Awards.[5]
- 2008 Best Web App Finalist the Irish Web Awards.[6]
- 2008 Best Technology Site Finalist at the Irish Web Awards.[7]
Goodwill
Although there is a charge for the use of the software, it is offered to volunteer rescue groups at a huge discount and there is also a support system for helping volunteer rescue groups to raise funds.
References
- ^ http://www.herald.ie/national-news/city-news/coast-guards-carry-out-daring-rescue-of-spaniels-trapped-on-50m-cliff-ledge-1846738.html
- ^ http://www.iqprize.ie/2009/12/where-are-they-now-decisions-for-heroes/
- ^ http://eu.techcrunch.com/2009/07/09/the-europas-the-winners-and-finalists/
- ^ http://seedcamp.com/Seedcamp_Week_2008_finalists_release-FINAL.pdf
- ^ http://awards.ie/webawards/2008/09/moviestar-web-awards-long-list-continued-part-1/
- ^ http://awards.ie/webawards/2008/09/moviestar-web-awards-long-list-continued-part-1/
- ^ http://awards.ie/webawards/2008/09/moviestar-web-awards-long-list-continued-part-1/
External links
- Personal blog of company founder Robin Bladford.[1]
- Article from the Guardian (newspaper).http://www.guardian.co.uk/activate/cumbrian-floods
- http://www.shephard.co.uk/news/rotorhub/optimized-rescue-data-provided-for-500m-rescue-helicopter-bid/6845/
- http://eu.techcrunch.com/2009/05/20/decisions-for-heroes-the-basecamp-for-mountain-rescue-launches/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29
Categories:- Web applications
- Incident management
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