Technology
Transforming Our Industry!

By Judy Bell

In our youth many of us watched, enthralled and captivated, as the crew of the Starship Enterprise caused time, space, and matter to transform instantly.  The futuristic consoles where they worked were filled with keyboards that, when pressed, instantly provided information about anything in the galaxy.  Who could have imagined that we would push those magic buttons ourselves, and have instant access to information stored anywhere in the world?  Yet, this new and amazing technology is transforming our industry as rapidly as any other.  Are you incorporating these new tools into your plans?

Natural Hazards
Earthquake fault maps (http://earthquake.usgs.gov), potential flooding areas (http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/graphicsversion/main.html), hurricane warnings (www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.html), and virtually all other types of natural disaster projection tools are instantly available on the web.  These are extremely useful when preparing a Business Impact Analysis (BIA) as well as at the time of actual events.   Determine what will potentially be your "worst case" scenario, and make it be the base for all plans.

Cybersite Classes
How would you like to obtain your emergency management bachelor’s degree in the luxury of your own home?  Western Washington University is just one of several universities that are offering web-based education.  Plans are developing there to offer the degree program by Spring of 2001.  Check out their website at www.wce.wwu.edu for the latest information.  In the near future, the new emergency management program will be listed on the Distance Education page under on-line classes.  Visit the Online GUIDE for a growing list of online classes.  Check out "What’s New" at www.disaster-resource.com

Emergency Events
Interactive web tools that can provide instant updates on events are now "state-of-the-art" for Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs).  They will soon be linked to hand-held devices that responders in the field will use.  Incident reports can be transmitted instantly via wireless devices back to the EOC.  Pictures taken at the scene as well as audio reports will be transported in the blink of an eye via wireless communications.  Corporate and public executives will access the information across the world just by typing a password into a website, with the ability to see minute-by-minute progress of all response efforts as they’re reported.

Although the technology was originally developed to address needs in the public sector, several companies in Los Angeles were able to participate in trialing this technology when the city sponsored the Democratic National Convention last summer.   Incident reports related to the event were available, giving business security professionals one more tool to anticipate potential business disruptions.   For more information, go to www.disaster-resource.com/whatsnew

Immediate Plan Access
Storing business continuity plans on the web is a reality now, providing all organizations the ability to have their plans at their fingertips when needed, wherever they set up temporary work operations. A variety of data storage vendors now offer this service.

Systems Continuity
The internet has driven e-businesses to incorporate redundancy and immediate access to remote data into their strategic planning.  As these businesses compete more aggressively with "brick and mortar" businesses, systems continuity will become a management mandate for them to remain competitive.  Which systems will require 100% reliability?  Those that support the core functions of the business!

Other Advances
In addition to all of the exciting technological gadgets, industry planners have matured so that we now recognize that combined emergency response and business recovery plans are a necessity.  Transitions from life-safety to damage assessment to short and long-term recovery must be accomplished seamlessly to minimize organizational disruption.

Public agencies are equally challenged to create comprehensive business continuity plans, complementing the private sector, so that entire communities can respond and recover quickly.   Project Impact has provided another avenue for cities to reach out to small businesses, educating them and providing tools for even "mom and pop" shops to keep their doors open.  (www.fema.gov/impact/impact_10.htm)

Key officials of the Department of Defense gathered last spring for a full day to hear scholars and representatives from private industry describe "World’s Best Practices" in emergency management.  Soon DOD will incorporate these ideas into their plans so that they, too, are capable of total recovery, regardless of the magnitude of the crisis.

Third World governments are recognizing the need, as well.  Turkey and other countries that have experienced catastrophic events are seeking experts to assist not only in creating emergency response plans for their government, but private industry in preparing for the next "Big One".

The education that many of us have undertaken this last decade is beginning to pay off as we see internal and external auditors, insurance companies, legislatures and many other government entities emphasizing the importance of advanced preparedness.

About the Author
Judy Bell is the author of the book "Disaster Survival Planning: A Practical Guide for Businesses", as well as other planning tools.  She is an industry leader, speaking frequently to audiences throughout the U.S.  Her firm, Disaster Survival Planning Network, provides consulting services to businesses, public agencies, and educational institutions throughout the world.   For more information, go to www.dspnetwork.com