Harnessing Technology Tools to Enhance Joint Information Systems

Background: When critical issues arise or an emergency event occurs, ensuring your Joint Information System (JIS) is capable of communicating and disseminating emergency public information is essential. The JIS must be well developed, well-trained, and provide for redundant communications. With the advent of new communications technology such as social media, mobile applications, smartphones, and tablets, emergency communicators are well-equipped to ensure warning and notifications can be disseminated to affected communities and provide redundant communication systems. This presentation will describe free and low-cost technology solutions for enhancing and establishing redundant communication systems for a JIS. Additionally, case studies and best practices will be discussed and presented so that attendees may integrate these technologies into their own JIS to provide practical communications solutions.

Program background: The Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) Joint Information Center (JIC) recently underwent a complete overhaul of its media monitoring equipment. This presentation will provide examples of how updated equipment, processes, and systems were put in place for the JIC media monitoring function. Likewise, case studies from the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) and its integration of low-cost, off-the-shelf technologies will be presented.

Evaluation Methods and Results:  Using NIMS Guidance, this presentation will present case studies from the DOE ORR JIC and CSEPP JIS/JIC structure to provide new communications technologies for enhancing public information. Specific use of JIS/JIS technology used in DOE/NNSA ORR JIC response, Aurora Colorado Shootings, and Waldo Canyon Wildfire response will be presented.

Conclusions: This presentation will describe free and low-cost technology solutions for enhancing and establishing redundant communication systems for a JIS. Additionally, case studies and best practices will be discussed and presented so that attendees may integrate these technologies into their own JIS to provide practical communications solutions.

Implications for research and/or practice: Emergency public information communicators must possess the knowledge and skills required to integrate cost-effective technology with advanced techniques to improve communication and collaboration with the media and the public during an emergency. The communications landscape has greatly changed and will continue to do so. Communicators must be skilled and well-versed in using new communication technologies to better prepare, respond, and recover during an emergency event.