DAMKAR
DAMKAR
ROLE
UX Design
UX Research
ROLE
UX Design
UX Research
TEAM
Working with 1 Designer and
and 3 Developers
TEAM
Working with 1 Designer and
and 3 Developers
TIMELINE
24 hours design competition
TIMELINE
24 hours design competition
View Prototype
View Prototype
View Prototype
An Urgent Need
An Urgent Need
+5%
+5%
increase of emergency response
In 2023, the Seattle Fire Department responded to over 110,000 emergencies—a 5% increase from the previous year. Rising incidents like vacant building fires and cardiac arrests have pushed the department to its limits.
This raises the need for a centralized system that supports faster decision-making and better coordination—Which the current systems lacks.
increase of emergency response
In 2023, the Seattle Fire Department responded to over 110,000 emergencies—a 5% increase from the previous year. Rising incidents like vacant building fires and cardiac arrests have pushed the department to its limits.
This raises the need for a centralized system that supports faster decision-making and better coordination—Which the current systems lacks.
The Challenge
The Challenge
Given the 1-day challenge's tight deadlines and resource constraints, there wasn’t enough time for extensive user research like surveys or interviews. To overcome this, we utilized quick user feedback loops and leveraged available data to ensure the design met core user needs effectively.
Given the 1-day challenge's tight deadlines and resource constraints, there wasn’t enough time for extensive user research like surveys or interviews. To overcome this, we utilized quick user feedback loops and leveraged available data to ensure the design met core user needs effectively.
The Problem
The Problem
After conducting our analysis, we found that while volume of calls and responses has been rising by up to 54%, the processing time are declining. Why?
After conducting our analysis, we found that while volume of calls and responses has been rising by up to 54%, the processing time are declining. Why?
After conducting our analysis, we found that while volume of calls and responses has been rising by up to 54%, the processing time are declining. Why?
The answers was surfaced from an evaluation of 911 Dispatch Operators that shows inefficiencies in their workflow. We found 3 pain points.
The answers was surfaced from an evaluation of 911 Dispatch Operators that shows inefficiencies in their workflow. We found 3 pain points.
The answers was surfaced from an evaluation of 911 Dispatch Operators that shows inefficiencies in their workflow. We found 3 pain points.
Pain Points
Pain Points
!
Inefficient Rapid Response Data Utilization
Inefficient Rapid Response Data Utilization
Inadequate capabilities to analyze historical incident data and extract actionable insights
Inadequate capabilities to analyze historical incident data and extract actionable insights
Inadequate capabilities to analyze historical incident data and extract actionable insights
!
Delayed Incident Response
Delayed Incident Response
2019 Seattle’s Fire Department CAD System
Weak visual hierarchy and cluttered interface
Low contrast UI
Navigation tabs are very small and lacks flow
Dropdown menu can slows down responses
Dropdown menu slows down responses
See How We Improve This
See How We Improve This
Current Systems clustered design limits agents ability to efficiently navigate to other pages in response to rapid inputs, as well as having to input too many information at once.
Current Systems clustered design limits agents ability to efficiently navigate to other pages in response to rapid inputs, as well as having to input too many information at once.
Current Systems clustered design limits agents ability to efficiently navigate to other pages in response to rapid inputs, as well as having to input too many information at once.
!
Disconnected Communications
Disconnected Communications
Overlapping case information from different calls
Overlapping case information from different calls
Objective
Objective
Objective
“Design a system that prioritize time efficiency, simplify process, and enhance emergency response systems”
“Design a system that prioritize time efficiency, simplify process, and enhance emergency response systems”
05
Case finished. Report generated
05
Case finished. Report generated
05
Case finished. Report generated
01
911 operators
receives distress call
01
911 operators
receives distress call
01
911 operators
receives distress call
02
Operators begin asking. Where? What? Anything Else?
02
Operators begin asking. Where? What? Anything Else?
02
Operators begin asking. Where? What? Anything Else?
Reduce process
03
Data entry in CAD begins as call is ongoing
Reduce process
03
Data entry in CAD begins as call is ongoing
Reduce process
03
Data entry in CAD begins as call is ongoing
Reduce process
04
Resources are allocated and department alerted
Reduce process
04
Resources are allocated and department alerted
Reduce process
04
Resources are allocated and department alerted
Needs and Priorities
Needs and Priorities
After gathering enough data, we divided the tasks / needs using the prioritization matrix to help determine different how importance the tasks and its impact on the system.
After gathering enough data, we divided the tasks / needs using the prioritization matrix to help determine different how importance the tasks and its impact on the system.
Solutions
Solutions
Sketches and Wireframes
Sketches and Wireframes
Sketches and Wireframes
Since this is a 1 day in a half project, we didn’t have the time to document all the design process, but we do all the ideations and sketches on this whiteboard
Since this is a 1 day in a half project, we didn’t have the time to document all the design process, but we do all the ideations and sketches on this whiteboard
Initial Navigation
Initial Navigation
Menu 1
Menu 2
Menu 3
Menu 4
Real Time Screen
Initial Concept
Using arrows for keybinds to move between pages
Initial Concept
Using arrows for keybinds to move between pages
Navigation
Navigation
Final Concept;
*ctrl + tab to move between pages
*Arrows for move between data entry fields
Final Concept;
*ctrl + tab to move between pages
*Arrows for move between data entry fields
Key Features
Key Features
Prompt Generator AI
Prompt Generator AI
Aid Operator Experience with Historical,
Data-Driven Questions
Aid Operator Experience with Historical,
Data-Driven Questions
Case Summary
Comprehensive Summary for Resource management
Resource Allocation
Operations and inputs run in the background with real-time active fire stations and weather information
Operations and inputs run in the background with real-time active fire stations and weather information
Interactive Map
Color coded proximity, interactive pop-up menu, and road cctv cameras showing to route operational departments.
Color coded proximity, interactive pop-up menu, and road cctv cameras showing to route operational departments.
What I Learned
What I Learned
This was my first design sprint—and the perfect crash course in fast, collaborative problem-solving.
This was my first design sprint—and the perfect crash course in fast, collaborative problem-solving.
In the rush of a 24-hour challenge, I leaned heavily on heuristics and existing patterns, skipping user testing in favor of speed. In hindsight, I saw how even the simplest feedback loop could have grounded the design in real context.
In the rush of a 24-hour challenge, I leaned heavily on heuristics and existing patterns, skipping user testing in favor of speed. In hindsight, I saw how even the simplest feedback loop could have grounded the design in real context.
I also learned the cost of skipping structure. Without defined deliverables or a shared north star, the process felt more reactive than intentional. Since then, I’ve learned to anchor sprints with clear goals, time-boxed checkpoints, and moments for reflection.
I also learned the cost of skipping structure. Without defined deliverables or a shared north star, the process felt more reactive than intentional. Since then, I’ve learned to anchor sprints with clear goals, time-boxed checkpoints, and moments for reflection.
If you're curious on how I approach design sprints now, check out my FigBuild project—where I brought structure, used AI meaningfully, and prioritized validation from the start.
If you're curious on how I approach design sprints now, check out my FigBuild project—where I brought structure, used AI meaningfully, and prioritized validation from the start.
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