Odessa Fire Rescue has launched Community Connect, a program that lets residents give first responders information about their homes or businesses ahead of an emergency. The department said the program is meant to give responders important details before they arrive.
Ben Martes, assistant chief of administration for Odessa Fire Rescue, said residents can build their own pre-plans for a property. Examples he gave included how rooms are laid out, how many people live there, and whether pets are inside. Creating an account is free and voluntary, and residents decide how much to share. The department encourages residents to include safety information, such as household members who need extra help or details about property access.
Martes said the department's first priority on any call is life safety. Those who want to share less are asked for a few basic items: how many people are in the home, how many are children, and whether there are any pets. Martes said only a small internal team can see the data for management. Responders at a registered address would see the information during a call at that address, he said.