Six Questions You Should Ask Before Deploying Incident Command Software In Your Organisation

Dear readers,

In recent years, the use of incident command software has become increasingly popular in emergency response and public safety organisations.

These software solutions are designed to help manage and respond to incidents more efficiently and effectively, allowing responders to make informed decisions in real-time.

However, before deploying any incident command software in your organisation, there are six essential questions that you should ask!

In this newsletter, we'll explore these questions in detail and provide insights into what to consider before choosing a software solution:

1.?????What is the Scope of the Software Solution?

Before choosing any incident command software, it's crucial to determine the scope of the software solution you need. Will it be used for a single department or the entire organisation, or will it be deployed across multiple agencies? Will it be used for specific types of incidents, such as large building fires, natural disasters, hazardous materials, or acts of terror? Understanding the scope of the software solution will help you identify the features and capabilities that are essential for your needs.

2.?????What are the Key Features?

Incident command software solutions can vary significantly in terms of features and capabilities. Some software solutions may be designed to provide real-time situational awareness and help Incident Commanders make informed decisions quickly. Others may be focused on tracking resources, managing personnel, or providing communication channels between different agencies.?A number of incident command software’s rely on being installed on the end users laptop or mobile device, Command Solutions does not rely in an installation, ensuring if the device fails in an incident you can quickly continue managing the incident on an alternative device.

It's important to identify the key features that are essential for your organisation and ensure that the software solution you choose offers these features.

3.?????How User-Friendly is the Interface?

The graphical user interface of said incident command software should be user-friendly and easy to use, especially during high-stress situations. The software should be intuitive and designed to provide incident commanders, sector commanders and responders with the information they need in a clear and concise manner. It's important to test the interface of the software solution and gather feedback from users to ensure that it's easy to navigate and use during an incident.

4.?????How Secure is the Software Solution?

The security of incident command software is paramount, particularly when dealing with sensitive information and communication channels. It's important to ensure that the software solution you choose has robust security measures in place to protect against cyber threats and unauthorized access. This includes measures such as data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and secure communication channels.

5.?????How Scalable is the Software Solution?

The software solution you choose should be scalable and able to grow with your organisation. As your department or agency expands, the software solution should be able to accommodate new users, agencies, and incident types. It's important to choose a software solution that can be easily customized and scaled to meet your changing needs.

6.?????What is the Cost of the Software Solution?

The cost of the incident command software solution is an important consideration, particularly for small or medium-sized organisations.

It's important to understand the pricing model of the software solution, whether it's a one-time fee or a recurring subscription, or whether there is pricing options available for your scale of organisation such as a single-user or multi-user package. It's also important to factor in any additional costs such as potential hardware requirements, training with the software solution, as well as any potential support.

In conclusion, deploying incident command software in your organisation can be an essential tool for emergency response and public safety organisations. However, it's crucial to ask the right questions and carefully evaluate the software solutions available to find the one that best fits your needs. By considering the scope of the software solution, key features, user interface, security, scalability, and cost, you can make an informed decision that will help your department respond to incidents more efficiently and effectively.