Zebra Technologies Helps Charles County Fire & EMS Save Time in Emergency Response

Key Terms

computer-aided dispatch (cad) technical

Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) is a software system used by emergency services and public safety agencies to receive calls, prioritize incidents, and send the right vehicles or personnel quickly—like a smart traffic controller that routes first responders instead of cars. Investors care because CAD systems are mission‑critical infrastructure that drive recurring software and hardware spending by governments, affect operational reliability and liability for service providers, and create long-term contracts and upgrade cycles for vendors.

Rugged ET85 tablets provide real-time insights for faster response times, optimized workflows, and streamlined emergency management for nearly 29,000 annual incidents 

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a global leader in digitizing and automating workflows to deliver intelligent operations, today announced that Charles County Fire & EMS in Maryland has improved its emergency response with the deployment of Zebra’s ET85 rugged tablets. These advanced devices have improved the department’s workflows to enable faster response times.

Charles County Volunteer Fire & EMS operates a large-scale emergency response system that handles nearly 29,000 fire and EMS calls annually. With 15 fire departments, 16 EMS organizations, and a Dive-Rescue Team, the department faced significant operational challenges, ranging from outdated, bulky laptops to inefficient dispatch and reporting processes. To address these challenges, the county adopted Zebra’s ET85 tablets, designed for field use in demanding mission critical environments.

“Seconds matter in emergencies,” said Chief Mark Kaufmann Jr., Charles County Volunteer Fire & EMS. “When a call comes in, we often see it on the tablet up to 45 seconds before it’s broadcast over the radio. In a life-or-death situation, that time can make all the difference.”

Zebra’s ET85 tablets are purpose-built for the demands of emergency services. They offer durability, GPS-driven Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) integration, and real-time data access, allowing responders to receive updates and document patient care directly in the field. In addition to eliminating the need for paper-based reporting, the tablets also enable:

• Operational Efficiency: Faster dispatch updates and streamlined documentation enable EMS teams to complete patient care reports directly on scene, reducing administrative burden.
• Improved Accuracy and Reporting: Crews record arrival and staging times directly into the CAD system, which avoids errors from manual radio updates.
• Enhanced Mobility: Designed to dock and undock from vehicles in seconds, the tablets allow firefighters and EMS personnel to easily take them on foot without losing valuable time.

“Zebra’s solutions are designed to empower frontline workers and first responders with real-time insights, connected collaboration, and optimized workflows,” said James Poulton, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Enterprise Mobile Computing, Zebra Technologies. “We’re proud to support Charles County Fire & EMS in their mission to save lives and serve their community.”

The adoption of the ET85 tablets was facilitated by Zebra ISV and solution partner, Winn Solutions to ensure a seamless rollout with minimal disruption. The collaboration extended to pre-imaging, mounting, and testing, allowing crews to begin using the devices immediately.

Building on the success of its initial deployment, the county refreshed its tablet fleet in 2024, leveraging Zebra’s OneCare™ support for device coverage and proactive battery replacement to ensures Charles County’s emergency responders always have the tools they need to perform at their best.

Looking ahead, Charles County plans to integrate the tablets with a new incident management platform for large-scale emergencies, utilizing high-resolution cameras to capture and share real-time images with emergency managers during natural disasters.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Charles County Fire & EMS improves response times using Zebra’s ET85 rugged tablets across 15 fire departments, 16 EMS organizations and its dive and rescue team.
• The deployment has streamlined workflows, ensuring accurate and error-free data that supports transparent response time reporting and fosters public trust.
• Zebra’s technology supports connected frontline operations, enabling faster, more efficient emergency responses.
• Read the case study to learn more.

WHO IS ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES?

Zebra (NASDAQ: ZBRA) provides the foundation for intelligent operations with an award-winning portfolio of connected frontline, asset visibility and automation solutions powered by AI. Organizations globally across retail, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, healthcare, and other industries rely on us to deliver outcomes today while driving innovation for what’s next. Together with our partners, we create new ways of working that improve productivity and empower organizations to be better every day. Learn more at www.zebra.com.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251215733881/en/

Media Contact:

Michael Gilhooly

Zebra Technologies

+1-708-814-5281

michael.gilhooly@zebra.com

Industry Analyst Contact:

Kasia Fahmy

Zebra Technologies

+1-224-306-8654

k.fahmy@zebra.com

Source: Zebra Technologies Corporation