Cutting edge disaster management software for the Central Highlands

Central Highlands Regional Council is the third Queensland council to launch an update to its disaster management software that will improve emergency responses when needed the most.

The incident management software, Guardian IMS, collects information critical for disaster management and response and shares the information between disaster coordination personnel.

Council’s Coordinator Disaster Management and Community Resilience Glenn Bell said with the new software, emergency responders and disaster coordinators have critical information at their fingertips, even in the field.

‘This is an improvement I’m very excited about,’ he said.

‘The new software can be used on a mobile phone enabling staff on the road, for example, to post road closures in real-time.

‘These road closures can be pushed straight to the emergency management dashboard, where they are visible for anyone.

‘This greatly improves decision-making for people affected by the disaster and responders in the field.’

With the updated system, a disaster response can also be coordinated from remote locations.

‘This is useful when resourcing the disaster coordination centre becomes a challenge,’ Mr Bell said.

‘We can work with other councils to pick up where we left off, allowing staff to get rest or look after their own property and families and vice versa, we are able to jump in and help our neighbours.’

Software developer QIT Plus Senior GIS Disaster Management Specialist Sam Williams said Central Highlands Regional Council played in integral part in the development of the software.

Image link.