About Our Founders

Mark Johnson, ESIS Founder and CNIP Co-Developer

San Francisco Fire Captain Mark Johnson established Emergency Services Interactive Systems to develop Fire Scene Simulator, a response to the dire need for affordable software that trains firefighters using first scene simulations. Fire Scene Simulator – Mark’s collaboration with other San Francisco Fire Department Suppression Officers – is the first fire scene simulator for firefighters, and by firefighters.

Fire Scene Simulator 6 (the latest version) helps firefighters develop and practice firefighting tactics by blending the real world with the virtual world. The software is the first computer program to allow users to import photos of local structures within their department’s jurisdiction and add animated fire and smoke to those structures – making the training experience as authentic as possible.

Mark next achieved success when he added the capability of networking the fire simulations. The software allows departments to create fire scenarios that can be used over existing computer networks. The in-firehouse training allows fire companies to stay in service while conducting training in an educational, department policy-driven, non-hazardous environment.

As imitators began appearing, Mark took his fire-scene simulation training to the next level and began offering the software free of charge. He was determined that every firefighter would have a personal copy of Fire Scene Simulator, ensuring and enhancing the safety of all firefighters everywhere. ESIS invites all professional and volunteer firefighters a complementary Fire Scene Simulator 6 program. Visit www.firesimulator.com to download a free copy.

ESIS’s next venture came in 2004 when San Francisco Police Lieutenant Dan Linehan contacted Mark to collaborate on the development of an innovative new software product that would provide a solution to the bottleneck in event planning. Together they developed the Coordinated NIMS Incident Planner, or CNIP, a secure and user-friendly software program to help first responders create Incident Action Plans that can be synchronized with those of other first response agencies participating in a pre-planned or actual event.

 

Dan Linehan, CNIP Co-Developer

Sergeant Dan Linehan retired from the San Francisco Police Department in 2008 after a distinguished 32-year career, most of which was spent in the Patrol Division. His move into Emergency Management was a natural progression. He was selected to be Special Events Coordinator at Mission Station, one of San Francisco’s busiest districts. During this time he was responsible for the planning of police resources and the coordination of outside support for hundreds of cultural events, parades, and protests.

In 1998, Dan was chosen by Mayor Willie Brown to lead the planning team for the City’s Millennium Celebrations. The Y2K Project utilized the Incident Command System to organize and deploy hundreds of police officers, sheriff deputies, firefighters, public works employees, and traffic control officers. With an estimated crowd of 300,000 to 500,000, the celebration became one of San Francisco largest gatherings. For his achievements, Dan was recognized by the Police Department and the Board of Supervisors, and was presented with a Certificate of Recognition for extraordinary services rendered.

Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, Dan became an original member of the Police Department’s Homeland Security Unit. As lead instructor, he trained his peers on the functions of the National Incident Management System. Through this and his experience planning for the Y2K events, Dan realized that the numerous and repetitive Incident Command forms (required by NIMS) were the greatest obstacles for any law enforcement agency attempting to adopt NIMS. Dan sought out to tackle the problem.

In 2004, Dan contacted Mark Johnson, San Francisco Fire Captain and computer wiz, to collaborate on the development of an innovative new software product that would provide a solution to the burdensome administrative problems associated with ICS forms. The partnership resulted in the Coordinated NIMS Incident Planner, or CNIP, a secure and user-friendly software program to help first responders create Incident Action Plans that can be synchronized with those of other first response agencies participating in a pre-planned or actual event.

Dan and Mark urge all first responders at every level of government to use the Incident Command System for all special events, regardless of size. Doing so affords event planners the opportunity to plan, train, and respond within the NIMS protocols, and, in so doing, ensure an effective and efficient response when a disaster or emergency occurs.