Damkar

Damkar

Designed a real-time, mission-critical dashboard for emergency response for Seattle's Fire Department.
Designed a real-time, mission-critical dashboard for emergency response for Seattle's Fire Department.
Role:
Role:
UX Design, User Research
UX Design, User Research
Team:
Team:
3 Designers
3 Designers
Timeline:
Timeline:
24 hours design competition
24 hours design competition
Damkar Graphic
Damkar Graphic
Damkar Graphic
Damkar Graphic

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

Table
Table

Delayed Incident Response

Delayed Incident Response

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

Overlapping case information from different calls

Overlapping case information from different calls

Graphic of 911 cases
Graphic of 911 cases

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.

Effort vs Impact Diagram
Effort vs Impact Diagram
Effort vs Impact Diagram

Solutions

Solutions

Sketches and Wireframes

Sketches and Wireframes

Sketches and Wireframes

Whiteboards
Whiteboards
Whiteboards
Whiteboards

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

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

Prompt Generator AI

AI pictures

Aid Operator Experience with Historical,

Data-Driven Questions

Aid Operator Experience with Historical,

Data-Driven Questions

Case Summary

Case Summary

Case Summary
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

map
map

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.

map
map

What I Learned

🧠 Real feedback = real impacts

🧠 Real feedback = real impacts

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 a 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 a real context.

⏱️ Defining strucrure under pressure

⏱️ Defining strucrure under pressure

I also learned the cost of skipping structure. Without defined deliverables or clear metrics, the process felt more reactive than intentional. Since then, I’ve learned to handle sprints with clear goals, time-boxed checkpoints, and moments for reflection.

I also learned the cost of skipping structure. Without defined deliverables or clear metrics, the process felt more reactive than intentional. Since then, I’ve learned to handle 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.

Google Map
Damkar App
Damkar App

Storytelling

Email

Designing with logic, motivated by detail, building with heart.

Linkedin
Email
Linkedin

Storytelling

Email

Designing with logic, motivated by detail, building with heart.

Linkedin
Email
Linkedin