(CHANDLER, AZ – November 2, 2000) - FieldSoft, Inc., announced today the availability of an Application Programming Interface (API) to FDonScene and PDonScene command, accountability, and pre-plan browser software. In house programmers from fire and police departments, as well as private sector application developers and system integrators can use the API to control or otherwise interact with nearly every PDonScene or FDonScene feature.

Interfaces developed with the API can be simple or sophisticated. For example, develop a very basic interface between an automated accountability system and FDonScene so that any emergency event recognized by the accountability product, gets passed to and displayed in FDonScene. Enhance the interface so that data regarding the individual responder and unit he is assigned to is displayed in FDonScene. Code a comprehensive interface that initializes FDonScene or PDonScene with unit and crew member data as system PASS devices are activated and recognized by the accountability system.

Interfaced applications can run on the same or separate computers, and multiple programs can use the API simultaneously. An application written to use the API can listen on TCP/IP sockets for FDonScene or PDonScene events, send commands and data to the FieldSoft programs, or perform both of the mentioned actions. Interface caused errors, containing an error preamble and error message, are returned via the socket that the error causing code was sent to. Queries (a special set of commands that return specific FDonScene or PDonScene data sets) are also supported via the API.

"The need for the API was evident" stated FieldSoft founder Mark Bouchard "after I watched an Assistant Fire Chief slam his fist down on a table and forcibly state that he was sick of hearing about software compatibility claims when what the fire service really needed were multiple applications that actually worked together as one."

Bouchard added that incident command and responder accountability software API uses are only "limited by the imagination" and went on to share some examples. "Lay out an emergency response process in a project management application such as Microsoft Project®, and then automatically download -- using VBScript -- key process steps directly into the FDonScene Checklist Catalog for use during an oil well fire."

"Code an interface routine that automatically copies a site plan from a mobile mapping product into the PDonScene Scene feature so the IC can mark up the resulting site plan image with digital ink, as well as drag and drop icons into place on the site plan."

"Develop a command line interface to FDonScene along with a set of commands that match your CAD system commands, for use by Comm Center dispatchers tasked with in-the-field duty as incident dispatchers."

"Write a special application that listens for FDonScene events such as personnel accountability reports (PAR) conducted by a section chief or branch officer, and automatically send a priority text message to the incident commanders' pager whenever a "PAR Check" reveals a lost or missing firefighter."

"Use the API and an interface capable mobile data client to grab incident dispatch data (e.g. - incident location, ID, type, units, personnel, etc.) from the client and automatically insert the data into FDonScene. Go a step further and write code that "listens" for incident related events, such as sector and unit assignments or the completion of required objectives managed by on scene divisions, as the events occur. The code could then insert the results - on a real time basis - into the CAD incident history, as well as trigger some type of on scene related status change in the CAD system. Moreover, automatically forward the PDonScene report log from the incident commanders' mobile computer to the department records management system upon incident termination."

"Write a simple routine that extracts data (e.g.- resource assignments, benchmarks, objectives, tasks, a map image, etc.) for the next operational period from an ICS Forms database, and automatically insert the data into FDonScene for use by the section chief and branch managers responsible for the next period."

An API development or end user license is available to departments as well as to private sector companies, who wish to interface FDonScene or FDonScene with other software applications. Each API license purchased includes a one to two day developer training class in the FieldSoft offices and one copy of FDonScene or PDonScene for development purposes. Interfaces developed with the API license require no other FieldSoft license fee. Note however, that end user licenses for FDonScene and PDonScene must be purchased separately from the API.

About FieldSoft, Inc.

FieldSoft is the leading provider of automated incident management, responder accountability, and preplan browser software. The product line includes FDonScene for the fire service and PDonScene for law enforcement. The products are marketed and sold internationally. Contact FieldSoft at 610 N. Alma School Road, Suite 18-305, Chandler, AZ 85224, USA, telephone 480-899-2128, fax 480-899-8123, or www.fieldsoft.com for additional information.

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