Uni-Conn™ docks with IntelliSkin® and iPad Air 11” devices, helping the City of Havre Fire Department go fully digital, improving efficiency, navigation, and response times.
The Challenge
Serving a large, rural region with limited personnel, the City of Havre Fire Department faced increasing pressure to operate more efficiently with fewer resources. Their reliance on paper-based systems created inefficiencies in dispatch, navigation, and incident management.
Crews would manually manage maps and incident details, making it difficult to access critical information quickly. To modernize operations, Havre Fire Department needed a solution that could:
- Digitize workflows across fire and EMS vehicles
- Improve navigation and dispatch accuracy
- Adapt to a variety of vehicle types and unique cab configurations
- Provide durable protection against heavy, real-world use
- Allow for quick device removal when needed on-scene
With limited IT resources, the solution needed to be easy to deploy without added complexity, intuitive to use, and scalable across their diverse fleet of fire and EMS apparatuses.
Image provided by Havre Fire Department
The Solution
The City of Havre Fire Department deployed the iPad Air 11” across their fleet for their familiarity and ease of use, enabling a smooth rollout. Each device was equipped with an IntelliSkin® protective sleeve and paired with Uni-Conn™ docks.
RAM® Mounts provided a combination of dashboard mounts, vertical drill-down bases, and swing arm systems to support a wide range of apparatus layouts. The modular ball-and-socket system allows for quick, tool-free adjustability for optimal positioning in each vehicle.
IntelliSkin® delivers added durability for demanding, daily use, while Uni-Conn™ docks enable fast, reliable docking without wear on charging ports. The flexibility of the RAM® solution allowed the department to customize each setup by vehicle while maintaining a consistent user experience across the fleet.
After evaluating other options, the department found competing solutions to be more expensive and complex to install. RAM® stood out for its ease of use, adjustability, and compact footprint, earning strong recommendations to other fire departments.
“Since implementing our RAM® Mounts solutions, we’ve seen a noticeable improvement in how our crews operate in the field. The ability to quickly dock and undock the iPad during response is critical and allows our team to stay flexible and efficient without missing a beat. The adjustability and versatility of the mounts make it easy for crew members to position the device for optimal visibility, which helps streamline workflows and keep our focus on the call. Overall, it’s been a reliable and effective addition to our apparatus and EMS vehicles.”
The Results
By implementing a fully integrated mounting and docking solution, the Havre Fire Department successfully transitioned to digital operations, improving efficiency and overall response capabilities across their service area. RAM®’s reputation and experience in fire-specific applications further validated the department’s decision.
In one real-world incident, mounted iPads and digital tools helped crews avoid misdirection and arrive on scene faster. With Active911 and Flow MSP, responders now have real-time access to dispatch, GPS tracking, hydrant mapping, and pre-planning data directly from their mounted devices.
RAM® helped Havre Fire Department by:
Enabling a complete shift from paper-based to digital workflows
Reducing navigation errors and improving response times
Equipping responders with real-time visibility into incidentdetails, hazards, and pre-planning data
Increasing device reliability in demanding, day-to-day use
Standardizing in-vehicle setups while still accommodatingdifferent apparatus configurations
