Big data and analytics present many possibilities for emergency management specialists and first responders. Some of these benefits include pinpointing vulnerabilities, bringing in the right resources and maximizing existing resources to pave the way to adoption. However, these opportunities are not without challenges. Emergency management experts Adam Crowe, Director, Emergency Preparedness at Virginia Commonwealth University; William Moorhead, President of All Clear Emergency Management Group; and Gary Nestler, Associate Partner and Global Leader, Emergency Management solutions at IBM discuss these challenges and opportunities in this slideshare—which is intended to help disaster management stakeholders achieve the most accurate situational awareness using analytics. Discover analytics solutions for emergency management http://ibm.co/emergencymgmt

1. The current
challenges and opportunities
of big data and analytics
in emergency management

2. Adam Crowe
Director
Emergency Preparedness at
VirginiaCommonwealthUniversity
William Moorhead
President
All Clear Emergency
Management Group
Hosted by
Gary Nestler
Associate Partner and Global Leader
Emergency Management
solutions, IBM
Experts weigh in
on issues:
Gary Nestler
William Moorhead
Adam Crowe

3. ISSUE:
Incorporating big data and analytics
into emergency management
ibm.co/emergencymgmt

4. ISSUE: Incorporating big data and analytics into
emergency management
Challenges
• Speed and volume of data adds to the complexity of events
before, 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 the
way of strategic adoption
ibm.co/emergencymgmt

5. ISSUE: Incorporating big data and analytics into
emergency management
Opportunities
• Able to utilize more sources of data (like social media) to
capture greater insights
• Information and communication are consistently crucial to
emergency efforts
• Important application to recovery and preparedness,
pinpointing vulnerabilities
ibm.co/emergencymgmt

6. ISSUE:
Educating officials and first
responders about data and analytics
ibm.co/emergencymgmt

7. ISSUE: Educating officials and first responders about
data and analytics
Challenges
• Big data and analytics needs to be prioritized and used more
strategically up front
• It’s hard for education to keep up with the speed of technology
• First responders often work in busy, understaffed conditions and
wear multiple hats
ibm.co/emergencymgmt

8. ISSUE: Educating officials and first responders about
data and analytics
Opportunities
• There is little resistance to the idea of integrating big data into
emergency management
• In some environments (like campuses for higher education)
technology infrastructure is often already in place
• Bringing in the right resources and maximizing existing
resources pave the way to adoption
ibm.co/emergencymgmt

9. ISSUE:
Connecting and sharing information
with first responders across
multiple jurisdictions
ibm.co/emergencymgmt

10. ISSUE: Connecting and sharing information with first
responders across multiple jurisdictions
Challenges
• Bringing commercial Cloud ease of use, reliability and
collaboration together with security, privacy
• Widespread electric and Internet outages affect access in
an emergency event
• Political and competitive issues around using and disclosing
different public and private data
ibm.co/emergencymgmt

11. ISSUE: Connecting and sharing information with first
responders across multiple jurisdictions
Opportunities
• In negotiating, data can create an equal value exchange
for access to telecom data and equipment when needed
• In partnerships, can share specific and applicable data
rather than mass unfiltered data
• Applications exist to provide value right now instead of waiting
for it to mature or evolve
ibm.co/emergencymgmt

12. ISSUE:
Handling the flood of data from
citizens, first responders and
sensors during an emergency
ibm.co/emergencymgmt

13. 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 insights
for planning
• Infuse small pieces of data into other information to be able to
use correctly with greater context
• Make sure official messages are not lost and are out in front
of the flood of communications
ibm.co/emergencymgmt

14. 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 can
collect and share valuable data
• Data can become applicable intelligence to inform multiple
aspects of emergency management
• Information from these sources during an emergency improves
readiness and preparedness
ibm.co/emergencymgmt

15. Watch the full discussion
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