Every single day, firefighters across the country place their trust – and often their lives – in the reliability of their equipment and apparatus. From the engine itself to the smallest tool in a medical bag, readiness is non-negotiable. Knowing this, shouldn’t tracking and inspecting this vital gear be straightforward and efficient?
As the creator of Rig Checker, I saw a need for a better way. Traditional paper checklists and manual tracking systems can be cumbersome, prone to error, and make historical accountability difficult. I wanted to build a solution designed specifically for the fire service, one that makes essential checks easier, more accurate, and readily accessible. That’s why I developed Rig Checker, a SaaS web application built from the ground up to streamline apparatus and equipment management.
The Foundation: Reliable Inventory Management
At the heart of any good inspection solution is a rock-solid inventory system. Before we could even think about efficient checks, we had to tackle how equipment is managed. Firefighters rely on their gear, and tracking it should be easy.
Rig Checker allows you to define and track every piece of equipment with the details that matter:
- Category & Type: Organize your gear logically (e.g., Category: PPE, Type: SCBA; Category: Tools, Type: Chainsaw).
- Identification: Track unique Serial Numbers.
- Key Dates: Record purchase dates, in-service dates, and warranty expirations.
Each piece of equipment can then be assigned to a specific compartment, giving you a clear picture of where everything belongs.
Flexible Organization: Apparatus and Compartments
We initially designed compartments to belong strictly to an apparatus – the physical storage spaces on a fire engine or truck. However, as Rig Checker grew, we realized the need for greater flexibility. Now, a “compartment” can be defined much more broadly. Need to track items in specific pockets on a medical bag or assign equipment to a station storage room? Rig Checker can handle it, allowing you to get as granular as your operations require.
Furthermore, we understand that not all rigs are created equal. A ladder truck has different needs than an ambulance or a chief’s vehicle. Rig Checker allows for customizable attributes for your apparatus, ensuring you track the information relevant to each specific unit in your fleet.
The Core Function: Streamlined Electronic Inspections
With a robust inventory and flexible organization in place, Rig Checker truly shines with its electronic inspection capabilities. Say goodbye to clipboards and paper forms!
Here’s how it works:
- Define Inspection Types: Administrators can create different inspection templates (e.g., “Daily Engine Check,” “Weekly SCBA Inspection,” “Monthly Ladder Check”).
- Set Frequencies: Assign how often each inspection type should occur. Maybe a general equipment check is monthly, but critical items like saws or SCBA require weekly attention. Rig Checker manages these schedules.
- Define Steps (Optional): For specific equipment types, you can define mandatory check steps to ensure crucial components are always examined (e.g., checking fuel levels on a saw, verifying cylinder pressure on SCBA).
- Conduct Electronically: Firefighters perform the inspections directly within the Rig Checker application using a tablet or computer. They go through the apparatus, compartments, and assigned equipment.
- Record Status: Each item can be marked as ‘Pass’ or ‘Fail’. If an item fails, a comment is required, providing essential context.
- Immediate Action: If an item fails inspection, the user has the option to immediately mark that piece of equipment as ‘Out-of-Service’, preventing accidental use and triggering necessary maintenance procedures.
- Notifications: Administrators can opt to receive notifications when inspections are completed or when critical failures occur, ensuring prompt awareness and action.
- Historical Record: Every completed inspection creates a digital timestamped record of the state of the apparatus, compartments, and equipment at that specific moment. This provides invaluable data for tracking trends, ensuring compliance, and demonstrating accountability.
Why Rig Checker?
Rig Checker was born from a desire to support the fire service by simplifying a critical, everyday task. It transforms equipment and apparatus checks from a potential chore into an efficient, accountable process. By leveraging clear inventory management and streamlined electronic inspections, Rig Checker helps ensure that when the bell rings, your crew and your equipment are ready to answer the call.
Ready to simplify your checks and enhance your department’s readiness?