Briefs

The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) is building a system to give firefighters and fire inspectors real-time access to analytics and predictive models in the field. The agency's vendor IBM will collect building-related data from several agencies, including the Department of Buildings, Department of City Planning and the Department of Environmental Protection, storing it in a central data warehouse.

The project aims to give firefighters more building details faster during fires. Analytics and predictive modeling should help fire inspectors better anticipate fire exposures, analyze possible impacts and improve processes that can minimize risks, according the FDNY.

"This technology will allow us to shift to a risk-based inspection system that will prevent fires and improve public safety," said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta.

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