Andy Bozzo, co-founder of Tablet Command, shares his
journey from firefighter to tech entrepreneur. Tablet Command is a software
company that provides incident management, response notification, and
situational awareness tools for public safety agencies across the United States
and Canada.
The idea for Tablet Command was born out of tragedy. In
2007, Bozzo's fire department lost two firefighters in the line of duty. This
incident highlighted the need for better incident management and personnel
accountability tools. Inspired by mobile gaming technology, Bozzo and his
co-founder Will Pidgeon set out to create a digital solution to replace the
analog methods traditionally used in firefighting.
Developing the product wasn't without challenges. The team
had to navigate the complexities of integrating with various computer-aided
dispatch (CAD) systems and overcoming resistance from IT departments skeptical
of iOS-based solutions. However, their persistence paid off, and they
eventually secured partnerships with major fire departments across the country.
Bozzo discussed the challenges of raising capital for a
niche product in the public safety sector. Unlike consumer-facing tech
startups, Tablet Command had a longer sales cycle and a more limited market.
This made it difficult to attract traditional venture capital. Instead, they
relied on friends, family, and investors who understood the value of their
mission to provide initial funding.
Throughout the interview, Bozzo emphasized the importance
of staying true to the mission of enhancing firefighter safety and
effectiveness. He advised aspiring entrepreneurs in the public safety space to
seek authentic, altruistic investors who understand the unique challenges of
the industry.
Tablet Command continues to grow, with a focus on
maintaining high uptime and responsive customer service. Bozzo, who still works
as an active firefighter, sees this dual role as crucial in keeping the product
aligned with the needs of first responders.
As the company looks to the future, they aim to expand
their presence across more fire departments in the U.S. and Canada, always with
the mission of creating life-saving software at the forefront., purpose, and
customer-centricity, it’s a touchdown that will keep scoring for decades.
Connect with Tablet Command: https://www.tabletcommand.com/
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