Volume 7
September 2016 Edition
This system works in the outbound direction , too . A spill within a plant might be a minor incident , with no dangerous substances involved . If so , the port ’ s overall emergency alerting system can automatically issue an all clear signal , except for the part of the plant directly affected . A more significant incident can lead the port to expand the initial alert , triggering evacuation and safe-harbor directives to a much wider area and organizing the appropriate first responder teams to address the situation . These processes happen without human intervention . This same level of investigation and communication would take hours to days to gather and process manually – time that is not available when lives and property are on the line . Another machine-to-machine application involves GPS trackers . If a train or bus is about to enter an area where an emergency has been declared , those vehicles now have the ability to “ know ” where they are and not to enter the locked-down area . These onboard GPS units use low-cost wireless radios to connect to the crisis communication platform . Traffic managers can shunt traffic to safe locations until the situation is resolved . The crisis communications system provides the crucial linkages so that these actions happen in near real time . The second technological development is software and infrastructure that connects businesses , schools , churches , police , fire , and health professionals with the transportation hub ’ s emergency alerting system – securely and reliably . These solutions overcome a number of current obstacles , including :
• Incompatible emergency response systems
• No emergency response system
• Incompatible radio and other communications modalities
• Insecure methods of outreach , without the ability to validate receipt , such as social media
• Inability to account for the location and condition of all essential external recipients
The key is to leverage the devices almost everyone already carries . Authorized external personnel subscribe to the transportation hub ’ s emergency communications system using secured smartphone apps , as well as similar applications for laptops , desktops , and tablets . This subscription model ensures accurate contact information , and notifies managers if a critical outside organization no longer has a current connection on file .
These outreach capabilities enable the transportation hub to keep external agents accountable during crises . Individuals who need to be reached during an emergency must acknowledge their status and availability . If they cannot be reached , the system assumes they are at risk , and automatically moves to the next available resource while informing first responders that a rescue might be required . In effect , this technology turns the transportation hub into a communications hub for the surrounding area . Command posts and respond teams can use the system to coordinate their activities and collaborate on the most effective means to resolve the crisis . Since the information being transmitted is both controlled and secured , recipients know that they can trust what they are being told , and what they are being asked to do . Transportation authorities must leverage these latest evolutions in crisis communication technology to prevent service disruption and protect passengers , employees , vendors , and surrounding neighborhoods . Given the unique position of these entities within their geographic and economic surroundings , adoption of these innovations will help transportation organizations deliver essential infor-