The current challenges and opportunities

of big data and analytics in emergency management

Adam CroweDirector Emergency Preparedness at Virginia Commonwealth University

William MoorheadPresident All Clear Emergency Management Group

Hosted by Gary NestlerAssociate Partner and Global Leader Emergency Management solutions, IBM

Experts weigh in on issues:

Gary Nestler

William Moorhead

Adam Crowe

ISSUE:Incorporating big data and analytics

into emergency management

ibm.co/emergencymgmt

ISSUE: Incorporating big data and analytics into emergency management

Challenges

• Speed and volume of data adds to the complexity of eventsbefore, during and after

• The flood of information needs to be validated

• The attitude of, “I don’t know what to do with it” gets in theway of strategic adoption

ibm.co/emergencymgmt

ISSUE: Incorporating big data and analytics into emergency management

Opportunities

• Able to utilize more sources of data (like social media) tocapture greater insights

• Information and communication are consistently crucial toemergency efforts

• Important application to recovery and preparedness,pinpointing vulnerabilities

ibm.co/emergencymgmt

ISSUE:Educating officials and first

responders about data and analytics

ibm.co/emergencymgmt

ISSUE: Educating officials and first responders about data and analytics

Challenges

• Big data and analytics needs to be prioritized and used morestrategically up front

• It’s hard for education to keep up with the speed of technology

• First responders often work in busy, understaffed conditions andwear multiple hats

ibm.co/emergencymgmt

ISSUE: Educating officials and first responders about data and analytics

Opportunities

• There is little resistance to the idea of integrating big data intoemergency management

• In some environments (like campuses for higher education)technology infrastructure is often already in place

• Bringing in the right resources and maximizing existingresources pave the way to adoption

ibm.co/emergencymgmt

ISSUE:Connecting and sharing information

with first responders across multiple jurisdictions

ibm.co/emergencymgmt

ISSUE: Connecting and sharing information with first responders across multiple jurisdictions

Challenges

• Bringing commercial Cloud ease of use, reliability andcollaboration together with security, privacy

• Widespread electric and Internet outages affect access in an emergency event

• Political and competitive issues around using and disclosingdifferent public and private data

ibm.co/emergencymgmt

ISSUE: Connecting and sharing information with first responders across multiple jurisdictions

Opportunities

• In negotiating, data can create an equal value exchangefor access to telecom data and equipment when needed

• In partnerships, can share specific and applicable datarather than mass unfiltered data

• Applications exist to provide value right now instead of waitingfor it to mature or evolve

ibm.co/emergencymgmt

ISSUE:Handling the flood of data from

citizens, first responders and sensors during an emergency

ibm.co/emergencymgmt

ISSUE: Handling the flood of data from citizens, first responders and sensors during an emergency

Challenges

• Get to the data, process and filter it, and turn it into insightsfor planning

• Infuse small pieces of data into other information to be able touse correctly with greater context

• Make sure official messages are not lost and are out in front of the flood of communications

ibm.co/emergencymgmt

ISSUE: Handling the flood of data from citizens, first responders and sensors during an emergency

Opportunities

• The trend will continue with more sensors and devices that cancollect and share valuable data

• Data can become applicable intelligence to inform multipleaspects of emergency management

• Information from these sources during an emergency improvesreadiness and preparedness

ibm.co/emergencymgmt

Watch the full discussion See the video now >>