Enhancing Asset Management in CFA Brigades: The Journey of CylX 
In the dynamic world of fire brigades, advanced and current asset management is essential for ensuring operational readiness at all times. 12 months ago, the CylX system was developed to aid Country Fire Authority (CFA) brigades in tracking and managing the locations of their Breathing Apparatus (BA) cylinders. This innovative tool, developed by Eltham CFA volunteer Andrew Heath, has not only streamlined asset recording but also brought a newfound level of validation to operations.
The journey has been promising. Feedback from brigades that have adopted the system is encouraging. However, like any innovation, it came with its share of challenges. The use of separate tags for CylX scanning was one such hurdle, but the hope is the use of QR codes on cylinders may help streamline system utilisation.
As the system navigated through its initial phase, valuable feedback from the users helped morph its functionalities to reduce input requirements and sync well with existing resource IDs. This adaptability means assets can now be located using their current allocated asset codes, making the process more intuitive and less cumbersome.
One exciting prospect on the horizon is the potential integration of RFID scanning for cylinders, sets, and masks. The ease of integration has been a notable advantage, albeit the additional time required to record cylinder data posed as a barrier. The recent inclusion of BA sets and masks tracking is anticipated to add more value and encourage broader adoption across brigades.
There is no charge to use the systemn during its trial phase, a small annual charge may be considered in future to offset the hosting and maintenance costs of the system.
On the technical side, support is just a call away with CylX and Andrew Heath, a seasoned CFA member, ready to assist. The system is robust in ensuring data security with no personal data captured, and future iterations may include member verification for enhanced security and validation.
The steps ahead look promising. It’s not just about tracking assets; it’s about building a culture of efficiency, accountability, and operational readiness.
For brigades yet to try out the CylX system, now it the time. The system is here, evolving, and is geared towards making asset management a breeze. It’s time to embrace the CylX system, contribute to its ongoing refinement, and partake in the journey towards enhanced operational efficacy in our brigades.