Tickets: A Computer Aided Dispatch Program
What is Tickets?
Tickets is a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) program currently under development. The lead programmer on the project is Arnie Shore. Arnie is a “retired” programmer who primarily codes in PHP, ASP, JavaScript and HTML. He has been working with several other folks (Ed Behler and Lori Forrer) during the development process.

The Tickets Project has it origins in the Florida hurricanes of 2004. From conversations with friends in Florida's emergency services community, he discovered that while the larger counties (such as Fairfax) had CAD systems available, the smaller communities did not (and to quote Arnie “but the good Lord must love smaller counties, since He made so many of them.”) Here is a golden opportunity for demonstrating the usefulness and versatility of Open Source Software, and Arnie took up the challenge.

How is it Being Developed?
Tickets is built using PHP and a MySQL database. This allows the program to be run on a wide variety of platforms. The program also makes use of the Google Maps API. This provides a mapping interface that is usually only found on only the most expensive CAD programs.

On the following pages you will find screen shots of the preliminary design. You will typically see an overall shot as well as a close-up shot of various sections. There are also some notes concerning the design and development process.

We have set up a discussion forum on the Tickets project in the Open Discussion forum on the OpenISES web site (http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=485742). Please come by and let us know your thoughts and ideas.

Get Tickets
You can get a copy of the latest version of Tickets from our Download Site. Or you can view all of our currently available files here

Conclusion
The Tickets program is the most ambitious project currently under development through the OpenISES Project. We look forward to your thoughts, ideas and inputs.

If you would like to be a part of this or any other OpenISES project, let us know by e-mail (robertaustin@users.sourceforge.net), join our mailing list (http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/openises-general) or become an active member in our forums. We are always looking for individuals who are interested in helping us bring open source software to the emergency service community.

Don't forget, you don't have to be a programmer to be a part of the OpenISES Project. We are also looking to create educational materials as well as other products that will be of use to all areas of emergency services.

Tickets Version 2.6 Released with Integrated EMD Program
Updated 18 May 2008

Last year we told you that Tickets had entered a new round of Beta testing at several sites. Today, we are announcing the release of the latest version of Tickets. This new version has fixed several bugs present in the older versions of Tickets. It also boast some new features including a Call Board that allows you to easily track and update all your units as well as an integrated Emergency Medical Dispatch program. If you have been thinking about trying Tickets, now is the time. Vist to read about the changes and view some screen shots. Then visit the download page to get the latest version of Tickets and try it yourself.

Tickets Used for 2007 "Ohio MS-Bike: Pedal to the Point"
20 February 2008

In August of 2007, Tickets was put to the test as a portable CAD system by the Northeast Ohio Medical Reserve Corps (NEOMRC) during the 2007 Ohio MS-Bike event. Providing medical support services, Tickets was used to coordinate the responses on the event, covering nearly 80 miles and utilizing about ten response vehicles. You can read about the challenges faced by NEORMC, how well Tickets performed, and if it is up to task for 2008!

Tickets 2.3 in BETA status
31 October 2007

Arnie has been steadily working on updating the Tickets software, and is now reporting that it is in BETA test status. He has about two-dozen folks testing the software. Take a look at the update page for more information and new screen shots.

More Screen Shots
19 December 2005

Arnie has sent us some additional screen shots. These screen shots are some of the statistical reports that will be available.

Printed Documentation
If you would like a 'hard copy' printout of these screen shots, they are available. Simply go to the File Release section of the OpenISES development site at Sourceforge. You can download a copy in either OpenDocument format or Adobe Acrobat format.

The Screenshots
We have added some screenshots showing some of the early development progress. There are five different screens;

System Operations
Incident Screen
New Call
Search
Situation Display

Each thumbnail image links to the full size, 1280 x 1024 image. All images are in PNG format.