Turning fragmented emergency operations into a connected system—designed a unified dashboard for SFD
Context
Response 360 was designed for the Dubstack Protothon 2024 Enterprise track to address a critical gap: the lack of a unified platform for first responders to efficiently track and manage operations.
This was an ambitious and ambiguous challenge that I took on solo; designing the entire end-to-end experience in just 2 days.
I conducted domain research, explored dashboard patterns, and did a lo-oot of iterations to reach here. I’m genuinely proud of how much I was able to accomplish under such a tight timeline.
MY ROLE
Product Designer
TOOLS
Figma, Qualtrics
TAGS
Desktop • EMS • SaaS
DURATION
2 days, Summer 2024
CONTRIBUTION
UX Research
Product Design
Usability Testing
Presentation
COLLABORATORS
Solo Designer
TL;DR
PROBLEM
First responders lacked a centralized tool to track incidents, manage resources, and coordinate actions in real time → leading to delays and inefficiencies in critical moments
SOLUTION
In under 48 hours, I designed Response 360 → a unified emergency management dashboard with voice-enabled reporting, real-time incident updates, and resource allocation views to improve response time and clarity
IMPACT (PROJECTED AND HYPOTHETICAL)
★ Testers rated it 5.7/7 for ease — “helpful in fast-moving scenarios”
★ Faster resource coordination with simplified priority views
★ Reduced miscommunication using push-to-talk messaging
If implemented, I'd love to track:
▪️ Response time per incident before and after adoption
▪️ Time saved in resource dispatch decisions
▪️ Team confidence in incident visibility and coordination
Bridging the solution to problem
BRIDGING
Why does this work?
Communication
Focused incident details ensure all team members are informed, while a direct chat option with the reporting officer enhances clarity and speed
Resource Allocation
A detailed resource overview table equips operating officers with critical insights for making swift, informed decisions.
Response Coordination
A mobile push-to-text feature integrated with the dashboard chat ensures seamless communication, reducing gaps and improving emergency response times.
The design process
CONTEXT
Where the current system falls short
The SFD struggles with inefficiencies which stem from the absence of a unified digital platform to streamline operations.
Issues the current system at Seattle Fire Department faces
DEFINING
Zooming in on the core opportunity
Communication Gaps:
Gaps delay critical information sharing, leading to slower response times.
Resource Allocation Inefficiencies:
Result in inefficient deployment of resources, leaving areas underserved.
Unclear Response Coordination:
Create delays in managing complex incidents effectively.
DESIGN
Design thinking in 48 Hours
I approached this project with a “clarity over complexity” mindset.I scanned real-world dashboards, mapped out critical interactions, and focused on making high-pressure moments intuitive.With only 2 days, I made fast decisions, built rough flows, and pushed clarity through UI hierarchy and role-based visibility.
My focus wasn’t on features — it was on focus
My design flow
Conclusion
SOLUTION
Solution and visual dump
IMPACT
Impact if implemented
Improved response clarity through real-time incident reporting
Faster resource coordination with simplified priority views
Reduced miscommunication using push-to-talk messaging
REFLECTION & LEARNINGS
Reflecting my journey
This was my second time designing a web product after my IMDb experiment, and I really enjoyed breaking down multiple JTBDs into clean, digestible designs.
Designing an end-to-end product in just 2 days was intense — I couldn’t explore all the tiny pain points I noticed, but it gave me a solid starting point. I’m planning to revisit this project with deeper research.
I worked solo, but before submitting, I shared my design with friends and family for feedback. Their input led to meaningful improvements — especially the voice-to-text feature on mobile.
