The behind-the-scenes workings of Sudbury's Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was under the microscope recently as representatives of the Abu Dhabi police toured the facility, evaluating the software in use by the city's emergency services.
Lynn Fortin, co-ordinator, special operations, emergency management division of the City of Greater Sudbury, explained the software – Web EOC and EmerGeo – work together to co-ordinate the responses between all the emergency services.
Web EOC is a web-based, crisis management software, which allows the different agencies and departments responding “to be able to share information in real time,” Fortin said.
“EmerGeo is a powerful mapping program that works hand-in-hand with the data information.”
She said the software is so efficient because it was originally designed and built by emergency managers and emergency responders.
“Both of these products were built on real life experiences from the people that do the responding.”
The Abu Dhabi Police Department – made up of tens of thousands of officers – are taking a look around the world at different systems, software, and emergency operation centres, as they expand their capabilities in that area, said Dean Monterey, director, emergency management services for EmerGeo Solutions Inc.
“We're proud they've looked at a Canadian company to possibly use in their systems in Abu Dhabi,” he added.
The Abu Dhabi Police Service is set up differently than in Canada, with policing, fire services and ambulances all operating under the same umbrella.
“It is an initiative by the Abu Dhabi police to enhance its capabilities to better manage and respond to disasters, whether natural or man-made,” said Abu Dhabi Police representative Lieutenant Mohammed Saleh Al Mansouri.
“We heard the authorities here are well organized and use sophisticated technologies and ways to prevent, mitigate and respond to disasters and crisis, as well as minor incidents.”
He added the idea is to bring all emergency services together, “so in a time of a crisis, they cut time and increase efficiency.
“Everywhere in the world they have their own way, but they do the same thing – save people, lives and property,” Mansouri said.
Fortin said the visit was “confirmation we are moving this community forward in a quick fashion, that public safety is being put in the forefront, and some of our ideas are really ahead of the curve.”
The Abu Dhabi police representatives were only in town for one day before moving onto Toronto.
