FireVision_2012
2nd Quarter, 2012
FireVISION is a quarterly publication from FIREHOUSE Software® with fire-industry news, software tips, and other helpful information. We hope you find this and future issues to be both informative and useful.
Previous newsletters are available in the Newsletters section of the FH® web site. If you have any questions or concerns related to the newsletter distribution, please email: FHdocumentation@xerox.com. If you would like to be removed from our mailing list, see the instructions at the bottom of this email.

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"So what is The Cloud?"
It's a question that has been around (in technological time) for a while. And It's a question being asked of us each day as we provide new opportunities and applications to you. So we thought we'd try to help everyone with some insight into "The Cloud".
Some have identified The Cloud as a metaphor, representing the Internet. Others have stated an easy way to understand The Cloud is to think of it as a utility, just like electricity or water utilities. Providers of The Cloud are the ones who are responsible for all maintenance, infrastructure, and repair. They are responsible for meeting surges in demand, and ensuring that service is reliable. Through an internet connection, you can access whatever applications, files, or data you have opted to store in the cloud, anytime, anywhere, from almost any device.
In the case of cloud computing, there are three basic types of service (as defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology):
  • Software as a Service (SaaS)
  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
  • Platform as a Service (PaaS)
What makes a cloud application different from other applications is its elasticity. This can be achieved by cloning tasks onto multiple virtual machines at run-time to meet the changing work demand. Load balancers distribute the work over the set of virtual machines. For the cloud user, this process is inconspicuous, as they work through their single access point.
The use of The Cloud will continue to grow in all aspects of computer and application technology. New enhancements come every day. We use it currently with FHinspector for iPad and hosting FH for clients as a service. Soon, we'll be adding FH Medic to our Cloud too. Improvements in software, hardware, and communications will continue to strengthen this powerful tool and benefit us greatly into the future.
Is the FH Cloud something for you?
Now that we understand a little more about "The Cloud," you may be asking yourself - Is using the FH Cloud to host your system something for you? It's the same FH Software you use every day, so there is no need for additional training. Not only does the FH Cloud simplify operations, reduce hardware and IT costs while securing your data - it's also extremely cost effective.
Deployment is simple. We offer one, three and five year contract terms. Should you decide not to renew, you still own your data at the end of the term. We will ship you a complete data file and a one user license of FH.
Each Xerox Data Center used for the FH Cloud is a single tenant, single access facility with ISO/IEC certification. The building and systems are monitored with onsite security guards, closed-circuit TV video monitoring, secured proximity keyed access points and physically secured server racks. Also, each facility has fully zoned electrical, fire, and HVAC protection systems to ensure your data is meticulously guarded continuously. The connection from your computer to the data center is encrypted at 256-bit AES and all servers are firewalled individually for your protection. FH and Xerox Data Center staff are fully trained to ensure HIPAA compliance. Daily backups are automated and monitored, incremented every two hours. Notifications are sent regardless of success or failure, and retained for fourteen days. Monthly backups occur on the first day of the month, and retained for six months.
We think you will love the freedom, security, and cost savings of FH Cloud. For more details, check out FH Cloud Services, or contact your FH sales representative . Consider accessing your FH in the Cloud.
 
There's still space. Come join us!
Hotel and event registration continues for the 2012 FIREHOUSE Software Education and Training Seminar, located in the "Brave and Beautiful city" of Atlanta, Georgia! The Omni Hotel at CNN Center in Atlanta will be our host Tuesday, September 18 through Friday, September 21 for a FHETS everyone will want to attend.
This year, the seminar price will be $845 for the conference, including: breakfast, lunch, and both receptions. Hotel accommodations are available for $132/night, with this special rate available to our attendees three days prior to and following the seminar, based on guestroom availability. So don't delay, go to www.myfhevents.com to register now!
For travel planning, we will have the registration check-in, FH user's group meeting, and an opening night reception to be held on the 18th, followed by three intensive days of classes and interaction with FH staff and clients. More details are posted and now available for these topics:
Plus, more details will be published as they come available.
If you have any questions, please contact our training coordinator at FHtraining@xerox.com. Come be a part of an event that will always be on your mind. See you in Atlanta!
 
 
**Tech Notice: FH Compatibility with SQL Server 2012**
 
Recent testing of FH Enterprise and FH Web with SQL Server 2012 has discovered compatibility problems. Our development team has begun researching the changes Microsoft made to stored procedures and other functionality. We recommend delaying any SQL Server upgrades to the new 2012 version until our research is completed and we have resolutions established for you. Thank you for your cooperation!
Stop By and See Us
Look for us at these upcoming events in the coming months!

07/14/12 to 07/15/12: OFCA 2012 Annual Conference, Sharonville, OH.
07/15/12 to 07/17/12: TN Fire Chief's 44th Annual Mtg, Nashville, TN.
07/19/12 to 07/21/12: 2012 Firehouse Expo, Baltimore, MD.
07/22/12 to 07/22/12: 2012 Annual Municipal TX Fire Training School,
                                 College Station, TX.
07/23/12 to 07/27/12: 2012 Esri International User Conference, San Diego, CA.
08/02/12 to 08/04/12: Fire-Rescue International 2012, Denver, CO.
08/02/12 to 08/04/12: 2012 AEMTA EMS Conference, Hot Springs, AR.
08/08/12 to 08/09/12: Louisiana State Firemen's Association 2012 Conference, Shreveport, LA.
08/10/12 to 08/11/12: South Atlantic Fire and Rescue Expo, Raleigh, NC.
08/22/12 to 08/25/12: 2012 Georgia Fire Service Conference, Dalton, GA.
09/14/12 to 09/15/12: 27th Annual New Jersey Fire Expo, Wildwood, NJ.
09/18/12 to 09/21/12: 2012 FIREHOUSE Software Education & Training Seminar, Atlanta, GA.
10/14/12 to 10/17/12: IL Fire Chiefs Association 62nd Annual Conference, Peoria, IL.
10/16/12 to 10/16/12: 14th Annual Texas Fire Marshal's Conference, Austin, TX.
Department Profile
In each newsletter, we profile a different department using FIREHOUSE Software. If you would like your department profiled, please send information about your department to:
FHdocumentation@acs-inc.com.

Fire Department: Covington Fire Department
Location: Covington, Kentucky
Personnel: 118 firefighters
Stations: 5
Pop. Served: approx. 45,000
Apparatus: 5 Pumpers, 3 Ambulances, 2 Aerial Trucks, 1 Heavy Rescue unit, 1 Command Vehicle
Software: FIREHOUSE Software version 7 Enterprise Edition with FH Sketch, and FH CAD Monitor. Will be deploying FH Analytics and FHinspector for iPad in the near future.

Comments: The City of Covington is located in Northern Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Covington is the largest city in Northern Kentucky and known for the re-development of its riverfront and skyline, as well as its strong economy.
The Covington Fire Department, one of the state's highest rated, is a full-service agency ready to assist residents, businesses, and visitors 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Since July 7, 1864, the department has been a fully paid fire department. The Covington Fire Department is also a union fire department represented by the Covington Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 38 (International Association of Fire Fighters). The Department was inducted as a charter member of the IAFF in 1918. As a full-service department, the department provides not only emergency services, but also fire and life-safety information and education opportunities to its citizens and visitors.
For more information about the city of Covington and their fire department, visit: http://www.covingtonky.gov/.