Iowa County enhances emergency services with Intellicene Symphia

Aug. 20, 2024
Cass County’s implementation of Symphia sets a precedent for improved operational effectiveness and public safety.

Intellicene today announced that Cass County, Iowa, has deployed the Intellicene Symphia mobile dispatch and response communication platform to enhance emergency operations and drive more informed, rapid response across the region.

Cass County, a rural area encompassing 565 square miles of primarily agricultural land, has faced recent challenges in providing timely emergency medical services (EMS) due to decreased volunteers and reduced manpower. The county’s wide geographic area has further complicated emergency response efforts. However, growing risks and a burgeoning population have facilitated the need for robust emergency operations and response.

The State of Iowa’s implementation of the Iowa United First Aid (IUFA) program gave Cass County the opportunity to address the critical gaps in its emergency response infrastructure. Developed by Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, IUFA aims to bridge crucial gaps in emergency services. 

With the support of IUFA, Cass County implemented Symphia NowForce, a state-of-the-art dispatch and response platform, to address these challenges and modernize its emergency response services. NowForce offers situational awareness by seamlessly integrating real-time data into a single view. Using live and historical event data, GIS maps, responder positions, reporter inputs, and other external source information, security teams can efficiently dispatch the closest, best-equipped, and most appropriate personnel and help stakeholders remain informed and connected regardless of location. 

“Whether it’s an emergency, accident, natural disaster, fire, or other safety event, an accurate and immediate response is critical,” said Erik Johnson, Cass County First Aid Program Coordinator. “Cass County is committed to ensuring its residents and businesses remain protected and have access to emergency services whenever needed. Symphia NowForce has empowered us to reduce response times to approximately three minutes from the time of the 9-1-1 call. This expedited response time ensures greater safety, saves lives, and enhances collaboration between our first responders.”

Cass County’s implementation of Symphia sets a precedent for improved operational effectiveness and public safety, showcasing the system’s critical role in bridging gaps in emergency services.

“Access to the right data at the right time is the difference between informed, rapid response and delayed operations. Symphia’s dispatch and response solution saves lives by ensuring quick responses to incidents and revolutionizes how the country handles security events. With technology like Symphia, emergency personnel can respond more intelligently, view real-time on-site situations, and share information instantly.”