Title: RFID traceability for structure fires: Lethbridge fire department case

Authors: Caraline Smith; Afrooz Moatari-Kazerouni

Addresses: Dhillon School of Business, University of Lethbridge, AB, Lethbridge, T1K 3M4, Canada ' Dhillon School of Business, University of Lethbridge, AB, Lethbridge, T1K 3M4, Canada

Abstract: National Fire Protection Association has identified disorientation within building structures as a leading cause of critical injury for firefighters. Firefighters frequently encounter unfamiliar environments which are often obstructed with heavy smoke and hazards. Detecting an injured or distressed firefighter is dependent on navigational systems which are limited in scope and capability. Radio frequency identification (RFID) can be adopted as a beneficial technology for firefighters' navigation. This research proposes firefighters' safety and accountability improvements via case study. Through collaboration with the Lethbridge fire department, AB, Canada, a critical assessment of implementing RFID within their work was assessed by gaining the experts opinions. Interviews and surveys are gathered and the business process reengineering (BPR) model is used for analysing the practicability of RFID technology. Results suggested sewing an active RFID tag onto the back of upper left arm on a firefighter's turnout coat. This recommendation adapts current technology designs for firefighter's efficiently and traceability improvements.

Keywords: BPR; business process reengineering; RFID; radio frequency identification; traceability; navigation; firefighter; implementation; practicality; safety; accountability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOI.2021.120687

International Journal of Services Operations and Informatics, 2021 Vol.11 No.4, pp.353 - 373

Received: 12 Jun 2020
Accepted: 18 Aug 2020
Published online: 03 Feb 2022 *

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