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 IRIS:
Internet Routed Information System
The Challnege
Central decision-makers can only act effectively if they
are informed quickly and accurately of the facts associated
with emergencies. In many emergency networks, field workers
report information by fax and phone. Distribution of information
to staff can be time-consuming and can quickly become altered
beyond legibility. Many decision-makers never receive all
the data they need to make informed decisions.
The Iris Solution
IRIS, or the Internet Routed Information System, is a digital
solution to unite field workers and central staff in an
emergency information network. IRIS solves problems by offering
a secure web site where workers can publish incident information,
requests for resources, and emergency messages. IRIS offers
additional interfaces, including wireless (WAP and distributed),
telephone/speech recognition, and native database interface
with existing information systems. IRIS helps emergency
operatives track incidents, operations, and resources from
small areas to broad regions, so that they can effectively
manage critical information in real time.
IRIS is an interlocking series of modules which can be customized
to fit any organizations emergency management or business
continuity needs. IRIS modules include:
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Incident Manager - The base IRIS module which provides
real-time access to messages, requests for resources,
and incident tracking over a dynamic map system. Incident
Manager also allows sharing of photos, documents and other
digital information concerning an incident. Incident Manager
includes a built-in drill/exercise module.
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Victim and Family Notification - Uses telephone and
email to notify registered victims immediately of important
news or change in status. Includes a fully automated incoming
call system.
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Emergency
Messaging and Notification - Uses telephone, email,
and standard pager systems to notify response team members
of incident information and executive directives.
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Wireless Portal - Allows clients to access IRIS
interfaces using PDA and other network enabled mobile
devices.
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Damage
Tracker - Automates management of incoming damage
reports to key facilities and allows for rapid roll-up
reporting of damage and restoration estimates by region
or business sector.
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Restoration
Crew Tracker - Provides full logistics tracking for
field crews involved in a restoration effort, including
team structure, contact information, equipment, work location,
and status.
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Critical Facilities inventory - Allows detailed assessment
of pre-identified critical facilities, including their
location, risk profile, and key restoration information
such as specifications for replacement generators.
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Medical
Supplies inventory - Allows organizations with an
integrated medical response to track status of responding
medical facilities, including availability of beds, special
medical needs, and stocks of key pharmaceuticals.
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Volunteer
Services and Donated Supplies - Tracks volunteered
and ad-hoc product and service offerings so that they
can be used productively. Includes a telephone intake
system and resource staging / inventory management.
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Emergency Voice Assistant - An advanced system that
uses speech recognition to extend information input for
damage assessment or emergency response to anywhere a
mobile phone will operate.
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IRIS
Lite - An executive rollup of IRIS incident data that
gives summary information relevant to a particular business
area at a glance.
-
IRIS
offers a seamless digital solution, helping contingency
managers work from the same page during times of critical
need.
Benefits
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Robust
Information Service.
Offers reports and views to filter and sort a wealth of
information
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Easy to Use.
Offers intuitive design with web browser simplicity
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Excellent Support. Offers online guides, sample
incidents, and online training site
Significance
IRIS is an extremely powerful information infrastructure comparable
to systems used by the military. It can easily be scaled to
run on a single server, a mid-range computer, or a larger
system to manage small areas or broad regions. Robust, scalable,
and deployed securely by web, IRIS supports immediate data
access, empowering emergency workers with the critical information
they need to know.
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