PreparednessArkansas deploys first statewide SmartPrepare system

SmartPrepare gives first responders an edge in determing disaster's extent and effected area // Source: ravemobilesafety.com

Framingham, Massachusetts-based Rave Mobile Safety, developer of software for campus and public safety, has announced the first statewide deployment of SmartPrepare in Arkansas. The service allows citizens to create free, secure Safety Profiles online which contain vital details about their household. Public safety officials can use the data in SmartPrepare to gain greater insight into their communities and identify potential challenges in order to prepare more effectively for disasters, allocate resources, and expedite emergency response and recovery efforts during events.

The company notes that SmartPrepare was first introduced in New Canaan, Connecticut in September of 2012. One month later, emergency management officials used the service to prepare for and respond to Hurricane Sandy. The megastorm, and other natural disasters highlighted the importance of enhanced planning and preparedness, and SmartPrepare has been adopted by emergency management officials in many communities. The company notes that the service is now used in more than 90 communities in ten states.

“In 2011, we were hit hard by Hurricane Irene, so when we learned about SmartPrepare we realized there was a service that could improve our ability to handle these types disasters,” said Carol McDonald, the Director of Human Services for the Town of New Canaan. “When Hurricane Sandy was on the horizon, it served as a rallying point; our residents felt empowered to participate in their own preparedness. This provided us with greater insight into the needs of our community and has further served to enhance our emergency planning and response capabilities.”

“In the past two years, our emergency management partners across the State have responded to numerous significant events from tornadoes to flooding and power outages. We are constantly striving to better prepare for the needs of Arkansans and the more information we have in advance of a disaster, the better we are able to do so,” said David Maxwell, the Director for the State of Arkansas Department of Emergency Management. “Through the interoperable platform of SmartPrepare, our ability to plan for and respond to incidents that require evacuation, emergency sheltering or other actions will be greatly enhanced.

The company says that SmartPrepare allows residents of a community to share critical information about themselves and their families with emergency management. This can include general data on a household — ranging from the identity of residents, locations of bedrooms, and utility information — to specific details about disabilities and medical conditions requiring such things as oxygen, dialysis and more. This data is automatically validated and geocoded by SmartPrepare, allowing for rapid identification and visualization of an entire community’s needs, supporting both emergency planning and response.

For example, should a storm result in a power outage or necessitate evacuations, SmartPrepare lets officials quickly determine which residents require electricity for medical conditions, identify individuals needing assistance evacuating their homes, and even facilitates the proper handling of pets and livestock. It is particularly useful in proactively planning for emergencies and ensuring the effective use of resources.

SmartPrepare also provides some peace of mind to those with functional or access needs.

“We take great pride in working with our partners across the state to improve preparedness for individuals living with disabilities, who are disproportionately impacted during disasters,” said Roberta Sick, the Project Director of Arkansas’ University Center on Disabilities Partners for Inclusive Communities. “With SmartPrepare, all members of the community, including those with disabilities, can easily participate in preparedness by making emergency officials aware of their particular needs prior to a disaster. We expect this vital program to save lives and reduce unnecessary suffering.”

SmartPrepare shares data with Rave’s public safety service, Smart911, which automatically displays Safety Profile details to 9-1-1 dispatchers during citizen’s calls to expedite emergency response. The service is used by public safety answering points in more than 450 municipalities in thirty-three states, including all of Arkansas. In a recent weekly address, Governor Mike Bebee discusses SmartPrepare, while noting how Smart911 has supported more than 20,000 9-1-1 calls since its deployment last year, including the successful search for a missing child. Safety Profiles are safe and secure, and residents manage their own information.

“Having access to the right information greatly improves the ability to respond to an incident. SmartPrepare enables emergency management officials to anticipate the needs of the community long before a disaster strikes, allowing for a much more efficient and coordinated response,” said Tom Axbey, president and CEO, Rave Mobile Safety. “SmartPrepare is growing rapidly, and through public-private partnerships, we look forward to providing municipalities across the U.S. with this unique ability to counter disasters and proactively take part in their own safety preparedness.”