Emergency Evacuations

Hear how Genasys EVAC system streamlines emergency evacuations during crises like wildfires and floods on this episode of the WFCA’s Fire Headlines Podcast.

This week on Fire Headlines, Samantha Didion and panelist Chief Ken Kehmna sit down with Genasys Senior Vice President Michael Smith and Vice President of Field Operations Steve Sickler at WFCA’s IGNITE Symposium. In the midst of devastating wildfires and other natural disasters, the ability to communicate effectively and coordinate resources is crucial for saving lives and ensuring the safety of communities. This episode delves into how technological innovations in crisis communication, particularly around evacuation management, are revolutionizing the way emergency services respond to incidents.

The Importance of a Common Operating Picture

One of the key challenges faced during large-scale disasters like wildfires is ensuring that all responders, regardless of where they come from, have access to the same information. A fire chief in California shares their experience with a statewide mutual aid system, where resources are sent across the state and even beyond. By providing responders with a common operating picture—essentially a shared set of tools and information—these teams can arrive at incidents equipped with knowledge about the situation, the terrain, and the communities they are serving. This system helps responders operate as though they are familiar with the area, enhancing their effectiveness and safety.

Real-time Evacuation Technology: A Game Changer

Evacuations are often chaotic and time-sensitive, with the need for clear, accurate communication to ensure public safety. The introduction of advanced evacuation management systems has transformed how evacuation zones are defined and updated. A recent example illustrates this, where federal incident teams were able to access pre-built evacuation zones through a system before even arriving at the site. This allowed them to begin planning evacuations immediately, making the process smoother and faster once they reached the scene. By using real-time data and zone-based evacuation systems, officials can adjust evacuation areas on the fly, ensuring a more efficient and coordinated response.

The Public’s Role and the Shift in Expectations

As technology continues to evolve, the public’s expectations have shifted dramatically. Today, people expect to receive real-time updates directly from official sources during crises, especially since they carry smartphones that can provide immediate access to critical information. The use of tools that allow for quick and accurate communication—whether through SMS, or official websites—helps ensure that the public is kept informed without overwhelming communication centers. By distributing information across various channels, emergency services can reach more people and provide clarity about evacuation orders, shelter-in-place notices, and other critical updates.

You can email Fire Headlines at [email protected].

Sign up for the Daily Dispatch to get the FREE daily newsletter of articles like these, as well as industry developments and trends, at www.dailydispatch.com.