Technology, Cloud Environment Drive New Breed of Emergency/Disaster

Enables Online Access to Plan Anytime, Anywhere by Anyone – Including First Responders

When facilities are decimated or flooded, "binder" plans rendered useless

NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio, Nov. 2, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In theory, having a paper-based emergency plan means an institution is prepared. In practice, however, the binder of information and protocol may be unavailable while an adverse event is happening. During Hurricane Sandy, many businesses were unable to respond appropriately due to loss of access to emergency response plans, floor plans, shut down procedures, and call lists from flooding, facility destruction or the inability be onsite.

Accessing the Emergency Plan

When an adverse event occurs, it is of paramount importance that the emergency plan is both up-to-date and immediately accessible. If the emergency plan is housed in a binder, internal network or other static file, it may be physically inaccessible or destroyed during the emergency situation. Likewise, the plan may also be ineffective if it resides only with the security director or a single authorized staff person. Emergency protocol must be accessible to all authorized personnel, so the plan can be executed swiftly and effectively.

Critical Information for First Responders

It is also imperative that first responders can access the information contained in an emergency plan.  If crucial resources like building maps, floor plans, entrance and exit points, call lists, policies, evacuation plans, procedures, utility shutoffs and hazardous material locations are housed in a single, static place, first responders will waste valuable time accessing the resources instead of carrying out their life-saving work.

The Solution: Web-based Technology

Web-based emergency management systems store critical information and ensure that the information can be updated and made available to all essential personnel—anytime, from anywhere.

Information stored on secure redundant off-site servers—in the "cloud"—may not be affected by physical barriers or natural disasters that occur on campus. Furthermore, a web-based system makes crucial information available in real-time to any internet capable device.  During an emergency, first responders can access emergency plans that exist in the cloud before they even arrive onsite, thus reducing assessment time and expediting action.

The Convenience of the Cloud

Web-based systems can enhance emergency planning in indispensable ways. The technology that is now available makes emergency preparedness plans not just compliant but dynamic and effective. When plans live in a portal-protected cloud environment, they become "live" plans that are ready to work in real-time situations. The benefits of using these cutting edge technologies is priceless.

Information that lives in the cloud, like maps, floor plans, policies and procedures, and call lists, can be updated easily across all files in the system. The ease of modifying information is a feature of web-based systems. With cloud technology, emergency-preparedness planning can be a series of fast and painless updates instead of tedious, time-consuming projects.

NaviGate is a comprehensive, secure web–based system that operates in this cloud environment and provides the bridge between an organization's critical information and the internal and external users. NaviGate users have instant, continuous and secure access to the critical information necessary for both immediate response and focused operations. NaviGate's proven effectiveness has received SAFETY Act designation by the US Department of Homeland Security.

About NaviGate™

NaviGate™ is a highly secure, Web-based system that can be used by any organization to collect, manage, and apply their unique essential information through integrated document, incident, inventory and learning management functions. Through controlled, role- and permission-based access, NaviGate optimizes daily operations and emergency response, with secure, instant access to information at anytime, from anywhere. Based on its proven effectiveness, NaviGate has received SAFETY Act designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and has been given a highly effective rating by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) Laboratory. For more news and upcoming events, visit www.laureninnovations.com.

Jan Gusich, AKHIA Public Relations

Phone: 330.606.5406 / jan@akhia.com

Lauren Innovations (www.laureninnovations.com) is dedicated to the development of state-of-the-art technologies and services that allow our customers to act proactively. Our goal is to continually bring relevant, valuable products to the market that can streamline processes and benefit the overall operation and preparedness of an organization. It is our culture to strive for excellence, responsibility and integrity in all that we do and provide. Based on its proven effectiveness, NaviGate has received SAFETY Act designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and has been given a highly effective rating by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) Laboratory. Headquartered in New Philadelphia, Ohio, Lauren Innovations is a subsidiary of Lauren International (www.laureninternational.com). For more information, call 866.861.7400.

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