Problem

Effective homeland security emergency preparedness and incident response calls for an unprecedented level of coordination between government and private sector organizations. In the United States, for example, national planning and emergency response frameworks and preparedness standards require organizations to develop plans and procedures for sharing information and communicating in a crisis. 

It is vital that agencies from different disciplines (e.g., law enforcement, emergency management, public health, and transportation), and, as appropriate, the media and private sector partner in a systematic effort to clarify, in advance of an incident, what information they need to exchange in different planning scenarios. Optimal information flow will not occur spontaneously without planning. Yet today, there is no software that maps out homeland security information flow based on functional roles and responsibility in a way that can easily be updated and extended.

Solution

Channels is a tool for developing information sharing plans and standard communication procedures that define roles and specify what information people need to send or receive in order to be effective. The system is also used for analyzing where the flow of information can be made faster, more resilient, and policy-compliant. Channels is used in the context of security, emergency preparedness, business continuity planning, and compliance.

Mind-Alliance works with clients to create emergency information sharing plans that specify the events that should trigger communication, notification, information-sharing and requests-for-information. Mind-Alliance helps clients methodically analyze information needs and assets in key scenarios, evaluate protocols and procedures, and improve the capability to share information effectively. Channels maps out the flow of information for each planning scenario, generating role and task-specific information exchange procedures by filling out forms. These maps and procedures help the different players understand what information needs to be shared with other players. Mind-Alliance helps state and local agencies plan the flow of communication with partners. The Channels software complements systems for situational awareness, notification, and emergency incident management.

Benefits

• Clarifies communication protocols, minimizing the risk of information flow breakdown or delay
• Enhances preparation for exercises and compliance with federal frameworks and regulations.
• Lowers the cost and increases the speed of analyzing business processes that involve cross-firm information flow and developing plans and procedures.
• Reduces knowledge loss caused by personnel turnover.