3 Reasons You Need Modern Technology to Improve Your Agency’s Hurricane Response Efforts

Major weather events create an incredibly high demand for first responders. Communication centers are inundated with calls as citizens seek help. Responders work to quickly and effectively provide resources and help to those in need. Disasters test your agency’s processes, systems and resources – sometimes uncovering the need for improvement.

With hurricane season at its peak, agencies and citizens must prepare for the possibility of approaching storms.

The key to being prepared is having modern technology that equips your agency to weather the storm.

1. Cross-Jurisdictional Collaboration

Connected computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems allow agencies to break down the barriers of communication and emergency response across jurisdictional boundaries. This is especially important for smaller agencies that are working on limited resources and budgets.

When lives are at stake, downtime is not an option for emergency response services. Even in the event of a catastrophic outage or shutdown, agencies need the ability to be fully operational at all times.

A reliable interconnected CAD system, or Unify™ (CAD-to-CAD), helps strengthen interoperability and the effective use of resources. When CAD systems are unified, agencies affected by a hurricane can transfer their operations to another agency – even if they operate on a different CAD system.

Public safety agencies are equipped to see incoming call information and the locations of all the responding units for different public safety answering points (PSAPs). With advanced NG 9-1-1 systems, PSAPs can also share call loads to increase responsiveness.

2. Modernizing Methods of Communication

Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG 9-1-1) technology that allows data transfer of all communication, from text to voice and video, is essential. In a society where everything is mobile, emergency responders need modern technology that communicates the way people do on daily basis.

A phone call may not be the ideal or best method of communication for someone in a crisis situation. Modern technology removes the barrier to receiving emergency services for all your citizens, including those who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech-impaired, or non-English speakers.

Responders also benefit from the ability to communicate with citizens through multimedia. Pictures and videos allow for greater situational awareness, enabling dispatchers to make better-educated decisions to send the right responders to the scene.

NG 9-1-1 technology makes emergency response services more resilient and ensures access to real-time information.

3. Cloud Disaster Recovery

When it comes to having a disaster recovery plan, cloud-based technology is crucial in preparing for the impact of a hurricane. The flexibility of the cloud is that operations can be shifted when necessary. Cloud tech ensures that your employees are equipped to operate anywhere they have internet.

The drawback of not being in the cloud when a hurricane strikes is the potential risk of damage to physical assets. Having a lot of physical equipment and servers puts your agency at a higher risk of losing data and experiencing increased downtime.

With the cloud, your agency can remain operational and maintain communication during a disaster. Digital assets are secure and accessible.

Cloud tech also allows for mobility and scalability. First responders need solutions that allow them to stay in the community where they’re needed the most.

Scalability in the cloud gives your agency the ability to accommodate the number of users needed on a platform. Bandwidth can be easily scaled up or down depending on need. With flexibility, your software works the way you work. You can create unique processes and workflows to build a robust set of plans and systems for emergency response.

Cloud solutions are fast, intuitive and adaptable.

Keeping Your Agency Operational

Public safety agencies are not immune to the effects of a natural disaster. Modern 911 and CAD technologies can help during a hurricane.

CentralSquare partners with agencies to ensure you remain operational and are able to serve your community.

Learn how CentralSquare’s CAD software helped Oconee County E911 get help to their citizens during a hurricane.