The U.S. Fire Administration is using video captured at incidents to develop a database of information that can be used for training purposes. To that end, the USFA has deployed PREPNet, or the National Preparedness Network, a satellite and Web-based media production and distribution service. Jeff Elliott is PREPNet's contract manager, and he shared the agency's efforts to broadcast the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Services and its work with fire and EMS on video distance learning.

What services does PREPNet provide to the fire community?

The standard service is video production. We have a full production studio, and we make videos for instruction, for distribution to the media and more. But the other part is for development that allows a course instructor to go out and make a video to use in the classroom. Also, we provide video-conferencing capabilities for distance learning, as well as video streaming, webinars and DVD creation after the training session is completed.

What about your efforts to broadcast the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Services?

Over that weekend, we work with the production companies that come here on the campus and then help them put together a national broadcast. We provide the video streaming. We provide the uplink on the satellite over the C-band. Generally, we just try to help get the word out so the rest of the community can see the memorial weekend and be able to be a part of it.

How do you envision working with fire and EMS on distance-learning programs in the future?

We are really looking to reach out to fire departments and EMS to get raw video to be used in courses and to develop our database. We have a storage database here, and we can access the video the way you would use a word processor. For example, we have pre-made pieces of video we can put together and use in the classroom to do reconstruction [of an incident] or to discuss specific elements of a disaster. So we are really looking for the fire community to help us with video capture.

What kind of video archiving capabilities does PREPNet have?

We have a 40-terabyte video-storage system. It gives us the capability to have random access video based on either visual or metadata. We are collecting information and video that is high-definition, which means any piece of that video, a single frame, can be pulled out and used for publication. So we are trying to build a really good database of fire video information.

How can fire and EMS departments help?

We would like them to e-mail us or call before sending us something so we can talk about it. From time to time, we will be asking for specific types of video. Recently, for a program we did called "Arrive Alive," it was amazing to see large apparatus — fire trucks — and see how much damage could be caused by simple, tight turns to the right or left. It was amazing even to the fire community how easy — in some cases — these accidents can happen.

What is the best contact information to discuss topics and send in video?

For e-mail it is prepnet@dhs.gov or contact us at 800-500-5164.