GDS® Tough-Dock™ paired with IntelliSkin® for iPad 11th Gen, enabled South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority to deploy reliable, cost-effective solutions across their fleet.
The Challenge
South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority (SKCFA) needed a sustainable way to equip their expanding fleet with in-vehicle technology. As their operations grew, so did the cost and complexity of maintaining device mounting and management systems.
Their previous options introduced challenges around cost, scalability, and long-term reliability. SKCFA needed a solution that could:
- Reduce overall cost compared to traditional rugged hardware and mounting ecosystems.
- Scale easily across multiple fire apparatus without increasing complexity.
- Provide dependable performance in high-motion, emergency environments.
- Eliminate unnecessary maintenance or failure points in daily use.
With critical applications tied to their devices, reliability and simplicity were non-negotiable.
“As a firefighter on Rescue 1551/1511, I’ve had the opportunity to use the RAM mounts installed in our apparatus, and they’ve quickly become one of the most useful additions to our setup. The mounts allow me to clearly see my route while responding and review important notes before arriving on scene. Having the tablet securely mounted in a position that’s easy to view makes it much easier to navigate pre-plans, check building information, and coordinate with other arriving personnel. It allows me to stay organized and informed without needing to rely on my phone while we’re responding."
Image provided by SKCFA
Image provided by SKCFA
The Solution
After hearing recommendations from other fire departments and drawing from prior personal experience with RAM® Mounts, SKCFA selected a complete RAM® ecosystem designed for durability and ease of use.
The fire authority deployed iPad (11th Gen) devices paired with IntelliSkin® Next Gen protective sleeves and GDS® Tough-Dock™ solutions in a drill-down mount configuration across all of SKCFA's fire apparatus fleet.
This setup allows crews to securely dock their devices for consistent charging and quick access without relying on fragile charging ports or complicated mounting systems. The IntelliSkin® sleeve adds an extra layer of protection while streamlining the docking experience.
By leveraging RAM®'s modular mounting system, SKCFA was able to implement a standardized solution across their fleet that remains easy to adjust, maintain, and scale as needed.
“The mounts in our trucks makes the iPads extremely easy to use, they keep the devices secure but still allow quick adjustments to the driver or officer can view the information clearly while responding to the call.”
Image provided by SKCFA
Image provided by SKCFA
"What I appreciate most is how the mounts create a more hands-free and streamlined approach during calls. Everything is right where it needs to be, secure and visible, which helps keep our focus on the response and the task at hand. Small improvements like this can make a big difference in efficiency and safety. Overall, the RAM mounts have been a great addition to our apparatus and have noticeably improved how we access and manage information while responding.”
The Results
With RAM®, SKCFA successfully transitioned to a more cost-effective and scalable in-vehicle mounting solution without compromising on reliability or durability.
Pairing consumer-grade iPads with rugged device protection and mounting solutions, the fire authority benefits from familiar, easy-to-use devices while avoiding the high costs of fully ruggedized alternatives. RAM® helped SKCFA by:
Reducing hardware and mounting costs compared to traditional rugged solutions.
Enabling scalable deployment across a growing fleet of fire apparatuses.
Providing reliable performance in demanding, high-motion environments.
Simplifying daily use with a solution that “just works” for crews out in the field.
Supporting critical applications like First Due and CrewForce for real-time operations.
