CRS User testimonial: Landeswarnzentrale Vorarlberg
We are proud to announce that Landeswarnzentrale Vorarlberg in Austria has chosen to implement the Crash Recovery System as part of their standard protocol to act during emergency response. Vorarlberg is the most western state of Austria and borders with Switzerland and Germany. A lot of transit traffic passes through each year. Using the Crash Recovery System, they are now well prepared when accidents occur. We asked Mario Vrdoljak, an experienced firefighter and contact person at Landeswarnzentrale Vorarlberg, about his considerations for choosing the Crash Recovery System.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Mario Vrdoljak. I am a member of the “Landeswarnzentrale Vorarlberg” which is the Regional Alarm Centre of Vorarlberg, the westernmost state of Austria. The Landeswarnzentrale Vorarlberg (LWZ) is a department of the Vorarlberg state government. Part of LWZ`s scope of responsibility is to provide organisational support, technical expertise and technical support to all rescue organizations operating in Vorarlberg.
Which CRS version and which platform (Windows/iOS/Android) do you use?
Because we have number plate searches available in Austria, we are using the most complete version of the CRS, the Full Edition, and use it on iOS and Android devices.
Why do you think there is a need for the CRS?
Beyond constructional matters the on-bord safety equipment of cars has been significantly improved and enhanced in recent years. Vehicle technology and safety devices are becoming more and more extensive as well as complex. My personal experience as a voluntary firefighter is that fire brigades have stepped up training activities for operations in conjunction with traffic accidents substantially over the past 28 years. CRS provides us with essential information in an easy-to-use format and in a very responsive way.
How do you benefit from using the CRS?
Using CRS saves time and improves the quality of rescue operations for traffic accidents. The number plate query can already take place while the emergency call is still being answered. Thus, vehicle information is available to firefighters before they go into action so that they can prepare in a more focused way on the specific operation. I like the clear design of the App and how digital vehicle information is displayed in a structured and concise format.
What kind of traffic accidents do you have to deal with?
I have seen all kinds of traffic accidents in Vorarlberg from rollovers to head-on collisions, mass accidents and road accidents with hazardous materials. In our case, Vorarlberg’s very diverse topology adds to the flavor of rescue operations. The Rhine Valley and the area around Lake Constance are flat, so that usually accident sites are easily accessible. In the Alpine regions with roads and settlements up to altitudes of 2,000 m and more fire brigade units sometimes cooperate with mountain rescue teams in car accident operations. Eventually, even the support of water rescue teams must be brought in for road accidents.
What is essential for first responders to know about such accidents?
Time is at stake at all kinds of rescue operations. The more specific the information is, which a rescue team has at hand, the better it can prepare for the operation, e.g. while driving to an accident site. Abundant pages of detailed facts help less than specific and concise information in a clear and structured format.
Can you describe a situation in which the CRS has proved its usefulness?
Implementation is in process. The state-wide CRS rollout in Vorarlberg will be finished within the next few weeks.
Moditech Crash Recovery System: Know what’s Inside. Act with Confidence!