Technology’s Role In Disaster Preparedness

Kristin GonzenbachDirector of Process Improvement

DeKalb County, Georgia

DeKalb County, Georgia

2nd Most Populated County in the State

Population - 700,000

64 spoken languages

1st in State to Create Division of Homeland Security

Several High Risk Facilities

DeKalb County, Georgia

Center for Disease Control, (CDC)

GBI Headquarters, FBI and IRS Regional Headquarters

Adjacent to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (world’s busiest airport) and home to the state’s second largest airport, Peachtree-DeKalb Airport

Doraville fuel tank terminalLargest fuel tank hub in South East

Nine major medical facilities includingChildren’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Emory University Hospital

Atlanta VA Medical Center

High Risk Facilities

G . I . S.Geographic Information System

Accesses geographically referenced information

Used for disaster preparedness and response

Reverse 911

Allows emergency planners to map entry/exit points in the event of a disaster or special event

F . M . I . S.Financial Management Information Systems

Standardizing financial, purchasing, and asset management through web based system using Oracle E-Business suite

Purchasing and ContractingP-Card

Hurricane Katrina

Consolidation of legacy systems into enterprise wide asset management application, (EAM)

Communications

311 Call CenterComponent of DeKalb County’s Homeland Security Initiative

Citizen Help Center (CHC)

911 Emergency Backup Facility

Emergency Facilitation Center

Communications

Use of Communication DevicesWireless push-talk devices

• Back-up to radio system

WEB EOCWeb based emergency management communication system

Disaster RecoveryOperational Review of Plan

• This review identified gaps in the County’s plan, processes and procedures and initiated a move toward Best Practices

Result of Review• Conduct Service Impact Analysis/Gap Analysis• Allow for Risk Mitigation• Create Service Contingency Plan• Institute Continuity Culture

Conducted Drill for various scenarios including:

Hardware FailureBuilding DamagePower FailureRegional Disaster

Business Continuity PlanCreated from results of Operational Review

Critically analyzed current system capabilities and provided for remote redundancy for all servers, systems and switches in jurisdiction

Based upon a “tolerance level” (How long can we afford to be out of service?)

Central IT center consolidationPolice servers consolidated from 46 to 16

Comprehensive drills using both local and off-site facilities

911 Back-Up integrated as part of 311 center function

Conclusion DeKalb County has taken a holistic approach in utilizing technology in disaster preparedness planning:

Homeland Security Initiative • To maximize benefits of Homeland Security Initiative, DeKalb

County uses the expertise of various departments

Standardization of enterprise wide platforms including implementation of E-Business Suite:

• FMIS, AP, AR, EAM, CRM (311)

Maximize benefits of GIS capabilities• Utilize software to provide mapping and critical information for

emergency responders and preparedness officials– Pictometry, Topographic Map, Buffer Zone Plan

Conclusion (Cont’d)

Implement 311 as a multi-functional facility including its support of the County’s Homeland Security Initiative

In Business Continuity preparation, include components of:

• An Operational analysis• Perform actual drill scenarios• Provide for remote redundancy• Capitalize on additional jurisdictional call centers such as

311

Questions