- Title:
-
Implementing Technology in Emergency Management
- Date:
- September 2008
- Organisations
- EmerGeo Solutions Inc.
- Authors:
- Dean Monterey
- Location:
- Vancouver, Canada
Overview
The International Bushfire Research Conference 2008 - incorporating The 15th annual AFAC Conference, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
During a crisis, two basic failures occur:
1. Lack of accurate intelligence; what has happened?/what is happening?
2. Failure to communicate; ensuring all appropriate people and agencies are informed of the event.
Technology can play a tremendous role in overcomming these basic failings. However, the technology must be robust, intuitive and usable on a daily basis for it to be of any great benefit during a disaster.
Before technology is employed a solid understanding and validation of the hazards, risks and vulnerabilities must be established. Then a comprehensive plan that reflects the identified hazards should be written and finally, equipment including technology should be selected .
Effective deployment of technology for use in human emergencies depends largely on it being adapted to the way an organisation does business and emergency management staff must be completely comfortable with any technology employed for it to be successful.
Lessons learned from technology successes and failures from around the world will be presented including the use of technology by FESA in Western Australia.
