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35 www.officer.com May 2014 Law Enforcement Technology TALKING POINTS thoroughly exercised several days in advance of an anticipated disaster, while backup generators and communication sites on wheels are placed on standby, ready to be deployed to an area within hours after a disaster. Managers routine- ly take inventory of the type of power required by generators and backup power supplies. There is no room for surprises if a technician refueling a generator is not prepared for a site that requires natural gas. Past events have highlighted the urgent need for hundreds of additional batteries and chargers to power porta- ble radios and other communications equipment used by first responders working 14- to 18-hour shifts. W hen potentially hundreds of supporting mutual aid responders head to an area to help with recovery efforts, there is an even greater need for more batteries to ensure everyone can communicate and coordinate. Police departments are encouraged to work closely with their communica- tions technology vendors to ensure they not only have the batteries, chargers, radios, sites on wheels and other com- munications tools ready to be delivered within hours, but that these systems are monitored and maintained throughout the emergency to help sustain key com- munications links for first responders. Man-made disasters: Real-time information capture Unlike natural disasters in which cit- ies and states may have the benefit of advanced warning, man-made disasters can happen in an instant without any notice and without indication of the potential aftermath. In these situa- tions, officers must rely heavily on their disaster response training, as well as their communications technology to understand in real-time the extent of the emergency so they can then quickly and safely coordinate their efforts. Today, with video cameras, data- bases, social media, sensors and alarms, officers have access to massive amounts of real-time data to help them assess each situation. Departments are increas- ingly implementing on-body camera solutions as they offer tremendous situ- ational awareness and safety advantages. Take for instance, the team respond- ing to a school shooting faces several unknown variables: the location of the shooter, the number and location of the injured, and the location of remaining students and staff on campus. As offi- cers sweep the school, real-time video from each officer is transmitted to the Four key planning elements for disaster response and recovery ■ Develop and instill disaster preparedness plans for both natural and man-made emergencies ■ Coordinate between private and public businesses to develop a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan and collective approach to emergency events ■ Accurately estimate resources from radios and personnel to energy supplies to ensure first responders are adequately prepared for the unexpected that arise during disasters ■ Implement and leverage technologies that provide real-time data capture to ensure cities and states are informed with the most up-to-date information for successful response and recovery Circle 11 on Reader Service Card LET_34-36_TalkingPoints0514.indd 35 4/18/14 2:12 PM