E6: Emergency Reporting: How a SAAS Software Company Fired Up Their Virtual Conferences with Tom Louis
From using emergency systems to running them - Tom Louis currently serves as the Enterprise Training Manager for Emergency Reporting, serving over 7,000 EMS and Fire agencies around the world.
As a retired battalion chief from the Green Valley Fire District in Arizona, Tom went from using the Emergency Reporting system for 16 years to being put in charge of training for its software from 2011, working with customers around the world. He was recently the project manager of Emergency Reporting’s inaugural virtual summit, ADAPT 2020.
Are you ready for some Red Hot insights into the emergency reporting industry? Let’s dive right into the episode with Tom.
[00:01 - 04:39] Opening Segment
I welcome and introduce Tom Louis
Emergency Reporting
From Battalion Chief to Document side
Tom gives some background to Emergency Reporting
World leader in cloud-based fire and ems records management
Example of the modules available for fire services
[04:40 - 13:29] Using Data to Fuel Higher Level Abstractions
Tom talks about the projections that the modules allow for
Putting in good data to get out good intel
Future projections using historical data
The example of equipment measurement
How long Emergency Reporting has been around
Founded in 2003
From using the software to in charge of it
Tom’s experience
Tom talks about the adoption curve
The difficulties embracing change
Using data to justify Change
Money, Manning, Machines
The use of technology in the service
Logging in from anywhere
[13:30 - 22:27] The Adaptiveness of ADAPT 2020; Firing Up a Virtual Conference
Tom talks about unique data found from the experiences of 2020
Not monitored in real-time
Focus on repository
Tom talks about ADAPT 2020 and its adaptive activities
Dog roll virtual summit
The people who were in attendance
Examples of the speakers and education
Going above software to contribute to the community
Tom shares around sponsorship
Microsoft as a global sponsor
Sponsors of single sessions
Changing away from on-site activities
Examples of mentors
Using EventSquid
In the process to 2021
On-site vs. fully virtual
Virtual as a way to go for a conference of this magnitude
[22:28 - 30:56] Closing Segment
Tom breaks down the sessions analysis
Examples of what sessions offered
A couple of 100 sessions
Preserving bandwidth
Microsoft TEAMS as a streaming platform
Tom’s advice for platform delivery and engagement
Tom shares some wisdom with those following similar constraints
Have a vision for execution
Learn the software!
Don’t be fearful
How to reach out to Tom
Links below
Final words
Tweetable Quotes:
“This is just one more tool in the toolbox, but it’s an essential one because data drives the fire service now… humans are in the driver's seat.” - Tom Louis
“We talk about putting good data in so you can get good information out; good intel and actionable intel out.” - Tom Louis
“Emergency Reporting does more than just software… we also want to contribute in bigger and more important ways to the community.” - Tom Louis
Resources Mentioned:
You can reach Tom on LinkedIn. Visit https://emergencyreporting.com/ to learn even more about their work.
