Response Link

Year
2024
Industry
Emergency Services
Service
UX Design, Visual Design

Revolutionizing emergency Dispatch and Resource Management

In my first hackathon experience at DubsTech Protothon 2024, I collaborated in a team of 5 in 28-hour sprint involved researching, ideating, and creating an application to optimize the dispatching process for the Seattle Fire Department. The app streamlined incident management, integrated AI for dispatch efficiency, and enabled data-driven insights for better resource planning and decision-making.

Team

  • Austin Mullin
  • Jonathan Rodriguez
  • Tejas Nagmoti
  • Bhavana Idnani
  • Khushali Parekh

My Role

  • Visual Designer
  • Motion Designer (Reel)

Software

  • Figma
  • FigJam
  • After Effects (Reel)
  • Blender (Reel)

Timeline

Protothon Version
  • 28 Hours
Updated Design
  • 2 Months

Challenges

The hackathon was a 28-hour sprint, which meant our team had to quickly move from research and ideation to prototyping and development.
The Seattle Fire Department was inundated with responses, making it challenging for dispatchers to effectively prioritize their tasks.
Coordinating resources and communication between fire stations required seamless information exchange.

Solutions

We divided tasks based on each team member's strengths, and used time-blocking techniques to ensure that we stayed on schedule.
We designed a dashboard with real-time mapping and color-coded priorities, helping dispatchers quickly identify urgent tasks and reduce response times.
Dashboard interface used clear visual cues and notifications to streamline information flow.

research

Research

Challenges Faced by Seattle Fire Department

Increased Call Volume: In 2023, the Seattle Fire Department handled a record-setting 111,319 responses despite a surge in safety incidents.
Time-Frames: Not meeting time-frames by an average of 30% for incidents in 2023.
Logistical Challenges: Trouble verifying or confirming locations of necessary resources (EMT, Fire, Police).
Source: Seattle.gov

ideation

Persona

Davis S.
Background
  • Current Position: Dispatcher at the Seattle Fire Department.
  • Role: Ensures swift and efficient resource deployment for citywide emergencies.
  • Skills: Excels under pressure, focusing on teamwork and clear communication. Seasoned professional with a strong track record in emergency dispatch.
Goals
  • Prompt Dispatch: Ensure the rapid deployment of resources to emergencies.
  • Support: Provide accurate and timely support to field responders.
  • Communication: Enhance communication and coordination for operational efficiency.
Challenges
  • Pressure: Managing high-stress situations with limited information.
  • Coordination: Ensuring seamless communication among multiple departments and responders.
  • Resource Allocation: Efficiently distributing limited resources during peak emergencies.

User Flow

A wireflow diagram illustrating the sequential steps involved in a specific process, highlighting connections and flow.

end design

Dashboard

Dashboard

Provides critical information to help dispatchers manage emergencies efficiently, improving response times.

Incidents - Item
Incidents - Form

Incidents

Documenting key details, response actions, resource utilization, and outcomes of specific incidents.

Analysis - Total Responses
Analysis - Call Times
Analysis - Map Points

Analysis

Allows dispatchers to gain insights into historical incident data, such as seasonal variations in call volume, and emerging hotspot areas.

Reports - File Navigation

Reports

Used to create a comprehensive record of individual incidents, including what happened, how it was addressed, and the outcomes.

Lessons

Consistent Check-Ins

As the Visual Designer, I worked on the design system with my team, but consistency could have improved with more regular checks.

Defining Roles

We spent a brief time assessing the team's strengths at the start. Spending more time assessing would have increased efficiency within team.

Limiting The Scope

There were several moments where our focus drifted away from the user's journey, leading us to spend time on features dealing with less important tasks.

design system

Layout
Colors
Typography
Icons/Illustrations
Forms
Buttons
Tables
Navigation
Widgets
Layout
Colors
Typography
Icongraphy
Forms
Buttons
Tables
Widgets - Analysis (Total Response)
Widgets - Analysis (Map Points)
Widgets - Analysis (Call Time)
Widgets - Analysis (Incident Page)
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contact me

Let's create something extraordinary together. For professional inquiries, please feel free to use the following contact information below.

Email Me:
austinmullin.inquiries@gmail.com
Call Me:
(484) 381-0534‬
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