Exercising Your Emergency Response Platform

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In the modern era of corporate risk management and 911 compliance due to Kari’s Law and RAYBAUM’S Act, many enterprises achieve that compliance by employing sophisticated emergency response platforms to manage and mitigate crises. Among these, systems designed to handle 911 calls within an enterprise setting are pivotal in ensuring safety and security. However, the effectiveness of such platforms, including our advanced 911inform platform, can be significantly compromised if they are not regularly used or tested.

 In this article, I’ll discuss issues surrounding the infrequent use and testing of any enterprise emergency response platform, with a focus on how to deal with the challenges of maintaining an updated and audited database, the necessity of regular testing, and the innovative approach of the 911inform platform in addressing these concerns.

 The Challenge of a Stale Database

A primary issue with emergency response platforms that are rarely used or tested is the stagnation of their underlying databases. These databases are crucial as they contain vital information, including contact details, floor plans, and access points, all essential for emergency responders. But if an enterprise’s emergency system is seldom activated or audited, the database risks becoming outdated or inaccurate. The validity of the information within these databases will naturally diminish over time, primarily due to the lack of active management or maintenance. This neglect can lead to significant delays or misdirection during an actual emergency, as responders may rely on incorrect information to make critical decisions.

 The Dilemma of Infrequent Exposure and Testing

Another significant issue is staff and emergency responders’ lack of exposure and familiarity with the emergency response platform. Hardly used or tested systems do not provide enough opportunities for users to become acquainted with their functionalities. This lack of familiarity can lead to hesitation or incorrect use during a crisis, significantly affecting the response time and efficiency. Moreover, while crucial, regular testing presents its own challenges. For instance, inundating the 911 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) with testing requests is problematic, as it could divert resources from real emergencies. Finding a balance between maintaining readiness and avoiding unnecessary strain on emergency services is a delicate task.

 The 911inform Platform: A Comprehensive Solution

The 911inform platform represents a leap forward in addressing these challenges. Unlike traditional emergency response systems, 911inform is designed to manage a broad spectrum of emergency events. Beyond handling 911 calls, the platform can monitor 988 emergency lifeline calls, other short code calls, and various other conditional triggers. These triggers could include a panic button, a video camera detecting weapons, or a license plate reader camera spotting a vehicle license plate on a watch list. This multifaceted approach ensures that the system is regularly exercised by monitoring diverse events, thereby keeping the database and user familiarity up to date and current.

This is only a DRILL . . .

In addition to monitoring for many event types and increasing the overall usage of the system, we have also spent considerable time developing a comprehensive DRILL MODE for the platform. Specific drills can be triggered, tracked and replayed to examine multiple ‘what-if-scenarios’ or even recreate actual events with different outcomes, all increasing the relevance of the system, and the proposed solutions.

 Exercising System Capabilities and Building Muscle Memory

The constant monitoring of various trigger events not only tests the system’s capabilities but also engages different alert groups within the enterprise. This engagement is critical for action planning and response coordination among teams. Regular interaction with the system, through actual events or drills, builds muscle memory among staff and responders. They become accustomed to dealing with the application, navigating through floorplans and maps, and interacting with smart building controls. This familiarity ensures that when a critical issue arises, the enterprise is ready to respond swiftly and efficiently, leveraging the full capabilities of the emergency response platform.

 The Risks of an Unused System

A system that remains unused is effectively untested. The reliability of both the emergency response platform and the staff’s ability to utilize it comes into question when it is needed most. In a critical emergency, an untested system may fail to perform as expected, leading to delays and potentially catastrophic outcomes. Similarly, staff unfamiliar with the system’s operation due to infrequent use may hesitate or make errors, further complicating the response efforts.

The effectiveness of any enterprise emergency response platform is inherently tied to its regular use and testing. Systems that manage 911 calls within an enterprise, such as the innovative 911inform platform, face the challenge of remaining relevant and reliable without frequent activation. Maintaining an up-to-date database, ensuring staff familiarity, and balancing the need for regular testing without overburdening emergency services are critical to the system’s success. The 911inform, LLC platform offers a comprehensive solution by incorporating a wide range of trigger events, ensuring regular system exercise and building the necessary muscle memory among staff and responders. Ultimately, an emergency response platform must be viewed not just as a tool for crisis management but as a vital component of an enterprise’s daily operations, necessitating regular maintenance and testing to guarantee its effectiveness when it matters most.

To see for yourself how the innovative NG911 architecture of the 911inform platform can assist your business in becoming compliant with Federal Law and empower both internal and public safety 1st responders, visit http://911inform.com and schedule a no-obligation demo of how we can help your organization protect your employees and guests TODAY.

Mark J. Fletcher, ENP

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VP Public Safety Solutions – 911inform, LLC