Tracking Deployed Resources During Disasters

Introduction:

Disasters can cause significant damage and disruption, affecting communities and their infrastructure. Effective disaster response efforts rely on deploying resources such as personnel, equipment, and supplies. However, tracking these resources can be challenging, especially during large-scale disasters. In this report, we outline the importance of tracking deployed resources and the process for doing so.

Importance of Tracking Deployed Resources:

Tracking deployed resources during disasters is essential for several reasons:

1. Resource Management:

Tracking deployed resources enables disaster response organizations to manage their resources effectively. This allows them to allocate resources where they are most needed and avoid overloading certain areas while neglecting others.

1. Situational Awareness:

Tracking deployed resources provides situational awareness, which is critical for making informed decisions during disasters. This helps to identify where resources are needed, where resources may be underutilized, and when additional resources may be required.

1. Accountability:

Tracking deployed resources ensures accountability and transparency in disaster response efforts. This enables organizations to monitor the performance of deployed resources, identify areas for improvement, and make adjustments as needed.

Process for Tracking Deployed Resources:

The process for tracking deployed resources during disasters involves several steps, as outlined below:

1. Establish a Resource Tracking System:

The first step is to establish a resource tracking system that can capture and monitor deployed resources. This system can be manual, electronic, or a combination of both, depending on the available resources and the scale of the disaster.

2. Develop a Resource Inventory:

The next step is to develop a resource inventory that lists all available resources, including personnel, equipment, and supplies. This inventory should include information on the type of resource, location, and status (e.g., deployed, in transit, or available).

3. Deploy Resources:

Once resources are deployed, they need to be tracked continuously. This can be done by recording the location, status, and activities of each deployed resource in the resource tracking system. This information can be entered manually or automatically, depending on the available resources and the scale of the disaster.

4. Monitor Resources:

Deployed resources need to be monitored continuously to ensure that they are being utilized effectively. This involves reviewing the resource inventory regularly and identifying areas where resources may be underutilized or where additional resources may be required.

5. Evaluate Resource Performance:

Tracking deployed resources enables organizations to evaluate the performance of their resources. This involves analyzing the resource inventory and resource tracking data to identify areas for improvement and make adjustments as needed.

Each of these tasks are listed in the Incident Command Systems organizational chart under Planning Section Chief. During Covid-19 deployments for Hoboken CERT, a Management Information Systems Team was created to track and report on deployed resources. Those reports became an integral part of the Hoboken Business Administrators' municipal re-imbursement requests.

Conclusion:

Tracking deployed resources during disasters is essential for effective disaster response efforts. By establishing a resource tracking system, developing a resource inventory, deploying resources, monitoring resources, and evaluating resource performance, disaster response organizations can manage their resources effectively, gain situational awareness, and ensure accountability and transparency in their disaster response efforts. This, in turn, can improve the effectiveness of disaster response efforts and help to support affected communities during times of crisis.