Android in the Fire Service

The Android phone has become a very popular smartphone among firefighters. I replaced my blackberry with the android OS based motorola Droid with service from verizon after having two different blackberries for around 5 years.

I was met with pros and cons of switching phones, operating systems, and service providers.

Firegeezer posted a guest article by Rodney Gentry (Salem, VA FD) on the Droid back in November (link). Rodney is a friend of mine, and a very tech savy firefighter! The article includes some decent applications for the Fire/EMS service!

The biggest thing I miss about the blackberry is the powerful email interface that I don’t believe anyone can beat.

However, the web browsing of a blackberry doesn’t hold a candle to the Droid.

I will admit, while I might know a little about web sites…I have not taken the time to learn a ton about my Droid. Simply put, I am not using it to its fullest potential. I am fine with that, but occasionally I will spend the time to add an application, change a setting, or see what is new.

Brian Rueger, a retired USAF computer/ information systems operator AND retired FD Captain, likes to keep me abreast of the news surrounding the Droid. I get email links to new applications and news sporadically.

motorola_droid_verizon_officialI will share some of those with you to potentially further your Droid experience. Check the links out below:

I will tell you that my most used applications on the Droid are the following:

  • Facebook for Droid
  • Tweetsride (formerly twitteride)
  • Advanced Task Killer
  • PicSay
  • Google Talk
  • Youtube
  • Foursquare

The Droid is fully functional with google. Therefore, getting gmail is easier than most other clients..

I also use many of the standard applications which come with the Droid.

What are your favorite applications? I am ready to learn!