The FIRST Center forms alliances with organizations that uniquely position us to achieve our mission of helping the fire and rescue service attain comfort and competency with data for decision making and action. Below are our current Organizational Partners.

Fire Department Safety Officers Association

The Fire Department Safety Officers Association was established in 1989 as a non-profit Association, incorporated in Massachusetts. In 2013, the offices moved to Michigan. Its mission is to promote safety standards and practices in the fire, rescue and emergency services community. The Association is led by a volunteer Board of Directors and has a small staff to handle the day to day operations. It is the Association dedicated to the issues that affect your critical role as Safety Officer in protecting and promoting the safety and health responsibilities you have to your department, your community and yourself. In fact, so critical is the role of the Safety Officer in every department in the country, that in a very short time in order to be a qualified Safety Officer, certification may be required. FDSOA works to help you achieve proficiency, promote the recognition of your skills and secure your future. www.fdsoa.org

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International Public Safety Data Institute

The International Public Safety Data Institute (IPSDI) was formed to help local fire departments gather, organize and translate their data into usable information. The IPSDI procures, assembles, and analyzes information from fire and rescue data then presents that information back to local departments through live interactive dashboards. The information is used to improve how these agencies evaluate risks, deploy resources, and respond to emergencies. The Data Institute has two tools available now to fire departments in the U.S. and plans to deliver this same technology to fire departments in other countries. These two advanced data tools are known as FireCARES and NFORS. The NFORS system includes a premier Firefighter Exposure Tracking App that can be downloaded for free and used by firefighters throughout North America to track their exposures to carcinogens and traumatic events. www.i-psdi.org

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