Critchlow Limited | Emergency Management Solutions

WHY

Emergency

Auckland City Council

Using web-based software to deliver a co-ordinated response in times of crisis

Challenge
A web-based system permitting remote access with proper security protocols and the ability to integrate with the Council's current systems.

Solution
The world's first web-based emergency management communicatons system backed up by local best-in-class support, training and implementation.

"One of its major attributes is its ease of use, particularly in crisis situations when multiple users with little experience of the software can be quickly brought up to speed."
Jane Lodge, Manager - Emergency Management Planning, Auckland City Council

Summary
Auckland City Council employs 1,800 staff in a diverse range of roles to keep the city running smoothly.

As part of its normal operations, the Council has to be prepared - and prepare its residents - for emergency events. The Council's selection of WebEOC (pronounced E-O-C for Emergency Operations Centre) has given it access to real-time information during emergencies or in the management of major events and confirmed WebEOC's place globally as the information management software system of choice and the world's first web'based emergency management communicatons system.

Challenge
Auckland City had a number of key criteria that had to be met to enable it to respond effectively and efficiently to emergencies or for handling major events. A web-based software system was essential, to allow remote access and proper security protocols. A mixture of media formats was a pre-requisite, for example reports, graphics, maps, video as well as the ability to integrate with the Council's current systems.

Solution
WebEOC came of age after the events of 9/11 in the United States, illustrating the need for live access to reliable crisis information.

Auckland City is the first local authority in New Zealand to have purchased WebEOC. This software will give authorised users (such as the police and emergency services) real-time access to constantly updated information related to civil emergencies, weather events, people and traffic movements.

Installed as part of the Council's Emergency Operations Centre, the equipment allows emergency services to have remote access to the WebEOC site to view or update information. This information can be used by contributing agencies - such as for a civil emergency, crowd control at major sport or leisure activities, motorway acccidents or weather conditions.

Auckland City's Manager, Emergency Management Planning, Jane Lodge said that the system will be used across the Council and not just for emergency operations.

"Information from WebEOC can be viewed by computer or large screen and updated remotely by laptop. It can display text, reports, graphics, maps, video and live television pictures giving real-time information", said Ms Lodge. "It can also integrate with our Call Centre servies in managing information flow."

"One of its major attributes is its ease of use, particularly in crisis situations when multiple users with little experience of the software can be quickly brought up to speed", said Ms Lodge.

Critchlow npt only market WebEOC in New Zealand but also has exclusive distribution rights for Australia and South East Asia.

Steve Critchlow, Executive Director - Emergency Management Solutions, said he was delighted that Auckland City had recognised WebEOC's many applications. "The feedback we've had from our Australian customers and emergency services has been very positive and the system has proved itself overseas with many government agencies and corporations."