Government access & services
Emergency Management & Research
Global Real-time & crowd-sourced Data
Aftermath is bringing emergency management real-time data which can be used in a wide variety of scenarios. Aftermath’s data collected by the PubSafe mobile app bridges the information silos between local, state, federal, NGOs and corporate organizations. When decisions are efficient lives can be saved and money saved.
In today’s environment communication has built in inefficiencies resulting in information silos. Each agency or organization has their own communication channels which creates digital noise for citizens. Does a citizen monitor Twitter, Facebook, County, NOAA, FEMA or other channels to get information? In the current environment 99% of users likely pick one and stick with it. PubSafe provides a platform to bridge the gaps between agencies both nationally and internationally. Government users have the option of sending messages to people based on their location. Since Aftermath logs location information alerts and messages can be distributed accordingly through push notifications.
API Data Access
Government agencies can access data using PubSafe APIs at no charge.
APIs Available
1. Emergency Response- User-specific information as seen in the mobile app which may be used to augment EOC data, effect rescue and manage sustained relief operations. Ex. Emergency and help requests. Heat mapping help requests by type. Timeline help requests through the course of a disaster.
2. Research – Anonymous data (no name, phone, email or email) which can be used to study and analysis for the public benefit. Ex. Traffic patterns, evacuation routes, response behaviors.
Free Data Access
The first question is how can this data be free? The simple answer is that the citizens crowd-fund the solution $.99 per download for the mobile app. This model removes the barrier to entry to goverment agencies with funding limitations, long-lead procurement processes and multi-agency communication challenges.
Each agency accessing the Aftermath Data portal receives two years of free access. During this growth and implementation period, the agency has the opportunity to inform citizens of the PubSafe app. As citizens install the app, the installs count toward the minimum engagement goal. The minimum engagement goal is just 5% of the population as identified by the last census for the area covered by the agency. If the agency is unable to reach the 5% goal, then a $50,000 per year fee is due year entering into year 3.
Mass Communication & Alerts
The PubSafe app is connected to the Aftermath Data management portal. In the portal PubSafe app users can be select from the map and sent a message in about 8 seconds. The targeted geographic area must match the government agencies area of operation and be authorized to communicate public safety data (EOC personnel). The unique ability to target users in an area as small as home and as large as a state or region, give agencies a unique and cost effective method of communication never before available.
Global Platform
PubSafe can be used globally in areas with cellular data coverage (Internet access). Global access provides significant opportunities to assist partner nations during a disaster such as a tsunami or earthquake. PubSafe enables agencies to be more efficient in the delivery of the right support, at the right time, in the right location.
Vehicle Tracking
PubSafe APIs can be utilized to display GPS vehicle and asset tracking data on one map. This situational awareness gives EOC managers a significant advantage over past disasters. Knowing if a convoy of fuel trucks is stuck in traffic based on the real-time traffic updates from the PubSafe app means other trucks can be rerouted and law enforcement dispatched to clear the way.
Active Shooter
A challenge for many public and private organizations is how to communicate an active shooter scenario. There are many solutions ranging from complex audio sensor, to expensive text messaging services. PubSafe offers a viable, quick and easily adopted active shooter alert feature – free. When an active shooter alert is reported by any app user, PubSafe users in a 5 mile radius are automatically alerted in about 10 seconds! User can then “go invisible” and take appropriate action. The PubSafe active shooter solution does not take budget planning, training, fits into the lifestyle of smart phone users and can be implemented in schools, buildings, condomimiums, sporting events and churches in minutes.
It is as easy as “We are going to use the PubSafe app for our active shooter warning system. Please download it to your smart phone.”
hurrican Harvey
Hurricane Harvey was the real eye opener identifying the globes lack of preparedness to respond to a widespread disaser. It became evident there was a great need to improve communication between individual citizens, NGOs and government agencies. Volunteers responded quickly but had a lack of information that enabled them to use their initiative and enthusiams to save lives. The Super Dome became a symbol of the chaos and highlighted the dispare between social and ethnic groups. Hurricane Harvey was the inspiration for the PubSafe platform. If people in the Super Dome were simply able to post updates to PubSafe, public officials could have headed off the situation.
Hurricane Maria Case Study
In every disaster lessons are learned and processes changed. By traveling to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, it became clear there were gaps in communication and information that would improve FEMAs response, international aid, local rescue and NGO on-going relief operations. With real-time information available down to an individual standing in a remote village, the response can be tailored in real-time to reduce waste and inefficiency. If PubSafe was in wide use during Hurricane Maria, FEMA would have seen what supplies was needed and where it was needed. Barges and personnel could have been assigned more efficiently with less confusion on the ground. Ongoing update using SitReps or Location updates, keep the information “fresh” and pertinent to a developing disaster. Heat mapping help and emergency requests in real-time enables the concentration of resources until an area stabalizes.
Real-time information also helps to ensure equitable distribution of resources. It is important to ensure all demographic groups (rich, poor, black, white, rural urban) are serviced equitably. Knowing where the help is needed helps EOC managers and FEMA ensure vehicles, shipments, food, water and other resources are not influenced by local politics, poor coordination or simple criminal activity.
California Wildfires
PubSafe is probably better suited for wildfire safety alerts better than an other type of alert system. The alerts to the app are near instant and the laser targeting of one home to a neighborhood gives officials the ability to warn people directly in the path of a fast moving fire without alerting other two streets over. PubSafe can assist in the rescue of people and animals before, during and after a wildfire. Connecting people for months after a disaster is over enables support from around the world to be very specific to individual needs. Help might be needed for size 9 girl sneakers, removing a tree from a roof or transporting livestock to a safer location.
Tsunami Indonesia
With virtually no time to respond from a tsunami, a platform like PubSafe is essential to widescale and immediate communication. A direct line of communication from the government to every citizen removes delays in decision making. If the government cannot respond fast enough, citizens can alert others buy posting an emergency or help request. By default visibile users are alerted within a 25 mile radius for help requests and a 5 mile radius for an emergency.
Emergency Management Continuum
Utilizing Data
Planning
There are enormous opportunities for utilizing historical data to plan a more accurate, timely and efficient response. Over multiple events in an area, the data set will grow and gain significant value. The data collection process is not something that will happen in 1 or 5 years. Data collection from crowdsourced methods is a lifetime project. With PubSafe the number of citizens sharing data can be in the millions if local government communicates to use the PubSafe app.
Excellent data can:
Improve resource purchasing and staging
More accurate quantities of key resources such as generators
Assignment of areas of operation based on historical data and types of issues
Realistic training scenarios based on historical events
Preparation
When there is the luxury of being able to prepare for an event, being able to collect real-time progress data can significantly enhance preparation. Consider the local home stores being able to update stock on storm shutters or heating oil, grocery stores being able to report water and food availability, or nursing homes being able to request assistance moving elderly residents.
Resources come from around the country can all go onto the PubSafe app regardless of other GPS tracking services. By utilizing the PubSafe app, it instantly unifies the location data to a single map, platform and API feed.
Event
During an event, the goal is survival for those in the field. This may mean surviving a tsunami, forest fire, mass casualty event or hurricane. People in need will start to update SitReps and request help. The number, location and type of help needed will be available to the EOC for improvd decision making. This enables decision-makers to adjust plans up to the last minute and keep making adjustments as the situation clarifies. It also reduces the amount of instruction and guidance well-trained responders need before entering an area of operation. Once onsite, responders have the needed information to prioritize their actions and resources.
Shelter & Aid Station Status
Reporting the status of shelters, hospitals or aid stations prevents people from going places that have no resources before, during or after an event. Live updates enable people to determine which alternate resource should be utilized, which is closest and if the right resources as available such as first aid or pet facilities.
RESCUE
The aftermath is viewed as the first 7 days after an event. During this time communication is fractured and people are at their most vulnerable. People are coming out of the rubble and starting to seek the basics of survival – food, water, and shelter. Knowing what roads are open, areas are flooded or blocked by fire is all imperative to efficient resource allocation.
During massive events, resources are lost, stolen or just abandoned due to inefficiency. There are millions of dollars in equipment and supplies that simply disappear. it is not realistic to have zero loss but improving 10-30% means tens of millions of dollars delivered to those that need it.
Recovery - Aftermath
After people recover from the shock of surviving an event and understand they can access food, water, and shelter, the recovery begins. At this point corporate America arrives, government resources are moving and people are helping people. People return to their homes and go to work putting their lives back together. It is critical to embrace corporate America and the resources they provide. Insurance claim stations, hot food from local churches and home construction supplies are all part of recovery and rebuilding. This phase starts about 5-7 days after an event and may continue for weeks, months or years as seen in the US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico.
Analysis
Data Integration
Aftermath is not intended to be a replacement for the current system of data collection but to augment current processes. Since EOC technology and processes have been developed for many decades, organizations may want to export the data for utilization with existing maps or data sets. To facilitate enhanced data integration, APIs are available to provide anonymized data using industry standard data transfer protocols.
Contact Aftermath to discuss your data needs.
GPS Tracking Integration
Many government agencies utilize GPS vehicle tracking technology year round. Displaying this data on the map with the data being received improves situational awareness at all times. Aftermath Data is working with several GPS tracking technology providers to provide integrated vehicle tracking, asset tracking and equipment tracking with user data. Through APIs Aftermath Data collected using the PubSafe mobile app, user information can be shared to EOC maps and systems to increase the real-time information available..
If you utilized real-time vehicle tracking technology contact us to discuss integration needs. If you are interested in implementing a GPS tracking solutions we recommend www.fleetistics.com.
