Embracing Change in Emergency Response:

Live Video Feeds: Provide live video feeds through a shared platform to enhance real-time decision-making. Remote Sensing: Utilize remote sensors, including thermal, multispectral, and photogrammetry, for advanced data gathering. UAS Mapping: Integrate UAS mapping into centralized dashboards for up-to-date visual information, moving away from outdated methods like single-picture captures. Secure Data Access: Ensure secure access to crucial data such as Safety Data Sheets (SDS), shutdown procedures, and safety messages. Modeling for Legal Preparedness: Model all operational and incident data to provide detailed records that can support legal proceedings. There's more but come by the booth at IOSC 2024 and we will share our solutions and our service first approach. It's not a software solution.

Communication: Ensure interoperability among multiple contractors and agencies for seamless collaboration. Situational Awareness: Maintain awareness from the outset of operations. Access to Preplanned Strategies: Provide first responders with immediate access to preplanned strategic responses. Adaptability: Develop the capacity to modify plans effectively when initial strategies fail. Digital Reconnaissance: Implement digital recon from the inception of an incident, rather than days later. Responder Accountability: Track responder locations in real-time to enhance safety and operational efficiency. Resource Allocation: Optimize the use of scarce resources to improve response speed and safety. Complexity Assessment: Enable teams to assess complex situations rapidly and request extensive resources ("the kitchen sink") as needed. 24/7/365 Support: Offer continuous support to teams of varying expertise to maximize the use of integrated technology. Centralized Data Repository: Maintain a single, centralized location for all critical data that can be accessed by offsite experts. Large Video File Sharing: Facilitate the sharing of large video files, including UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) footage.

Contractors require not only real skills but also robust training events that rigorously test these skills. Adopting digital tools, as mandated or encouraged by agencies, enables us to effectively simulate real-world scenarios during tabletop exercises. Digital reconnaissance and real-time operations, such as boom deployments, UAS mapping and live video feeds, can be integrated into these simulations. While the term 'centralized dashboards' may seem daunting due to its deviation from the familiar 'Common Operating Picture,' it's crucial to understand that these dashboards can offer a unified view. They allow tactical teams in the field to access preplanned strategies and real-time digital recon on sunlight-readable tablets. The widespread use of ESRI platforms by major entities like NOAA, the EPA, and the Coast Guard for over 25 years underscores the potential of these technologies in emergency response—yet this potential remains largely untapped due to slow adaptation rates and creative innovation. We believe it will take a service first approach with mandated and funded training schedules for operational teams. We have to be better at the inception of the an event.

Hi Tucker, I whole hardily agree with you, especially here; One of the most significant hurdles to change in emergency response is the reluctance to disrupt established practices. Many stakeholders are deeply entrenched in traditional methods, and the idea of introducing new technologies can be met with apprehension. Its resistance. One reason I say this is look at the way we train. Training is for the future, so we are better prepared at game time, right? At most tabletop exercise where we can train and hopefully make some mistakes, we play it safe. Same old meat and potatoes. Operations just happens in make believe. Its injections- hey something happened over here and let's see how we react. It's good for spill management but it's not good for operational readiness. Operational teams are usually placed somewhere in the spill management team and not necessarily related to operations, so they have enough people to get the tabletop completed. Spill management is critical but we "The Industry" ignore the fact that if your first response and tactical teams get off to bad start its virtually impossible to recover. You have a short window for success, and we ignore the digital tools that can significantly help us succeed.

Excellent article Tucker. Thanks for sharing!