SimplyCast: Smart Government
Use Case: Evacuation Alerts
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ID: SGUC006

Evacuation Alerts

evacuation alertsemergency alert systemevacuation procedure

When disaster strikes, Smart Governments must protect the public with clear and concise communication.

Some circumstances require residents to evacuate their homes unexpectedly. These threats range from natural (wildfires, floods, and hurricanes) to man-made (chemical spills, gas leaks, terrorism, and war).

 

Growth, the SimplyCast Way

Our Evacuation Alert use case equips Smart Governments with a suite of hyperautomation tools designed for quick communication. Provide your residents with direct instructions, and receive information from them that allows you to strategize in real time.

The Features:

  • Our centralized dashboard lets you oversee updates, access map view, and manage your alerts from one convenient location.
  • Automated alerts can be configured ahead of time and are compatible with multiple communication channels. 
  • Deploy emergency responders and view hazardous areas and evacuation zones via our built-in Map. 
  • Dial out to emergency responders, stakeholders, hospitals, and more with Teleconference.

The Benefits:

  • By sending emergency alerts over multiple communication channels, you ensure they will be seen by as many people as possible, no matter what services are interrupted or what technology your residents prefer. 
  • Two-way communication means your residents can keep you updated on their status, head counts, whether they require assistance, whether their area is safe, and if the danger has spread. 
  • Having multiple messages templated keeps you one step ahead. Keep the public informed with frequent updates, such as new evacuation orders and areas to avoid.
  • Automated messages can be personalized to offer residents a feeling of care during a crisis.
  • Manage emergency responders with precision based on Map view and incoming information.
  • No need for costly proprietary equipment; manage each evacuation from your very own device.

Actions for Success

  1. Form a prospective evacuation plan with designated meeting zones and lay it out as a sequence of events.
  2. Create a command hub for incident management. This will allow you to oversee the evacuation, receive updates from the public, and configure outgoing alerts.
  3. Distribute a QR code for residents to sign up for alerts. (See our QR Code Document use case for a convenient way to do this.)
  4. Template and configure your evacuation alerts, then set them to launch when needed. Remember to set up an alert that inform residents when the evacuation order has been lifted.

Frequently Asked Questions

An evacuation alert is a message sent to the public when an evacuation is likely to occur soon. These alerts:

  • Provide easy-to-follow instructions so residents know what to do, even if they have never evacuated before.
  • Instruct residents to prepare if the evacuation order might impact their area. This way, they can evacuate immediately without a panic.
  • List the nearby safe zones where evacuees must gather.
  • Warn evacuees away from nearby dangerous zones.
  • Keep residents informed with vital updates as the situation develops.
  • Let residents know they are safe to return once the evacuation order has lifted.
  • If necessary, provide instructions if homes are too damaged or dangerous to return to.

Our Evacuation Alert use case employs multiple channel communication and hyperautomation tools to schedule emergency alerts. Keep in touch with the public and emergency personnel via Teleconference, phone, text, or fax, and stay ahead of the threat with  updates from residents in affected areas. 

 

Our Evacuation Alerts use case allows you to manage emergencies from one centralized dashboard. We provide all the tools you need to prepare an evacuation plan that inspires confidence: 

  • Construct concise alert messages ahead of time so you can launch them immediately in a crisis. Messages can be sent via phone, text, and fax to reach everyone, even when some services are disrupted or compromised.
  • By reducing panic, Smart Governments can avoid unnecessary injuries, congestion on the roads, traffic collisions, and other chaos-based dangers. 
  • Easy-to-follow instructions keep residents calm and informed in the face of current and future evacuations. 
  • Update your alert templates as you receive situational information from emergency responders and residents. Vital information can then be conveyed with the click of a button. 
  • Immediately dispatch emergency responders to help residents in need or to contain the spread of danger. An informed dispatch means less risk to emergency personnel.

  • Email
  • Voice/Calls
  • Text Messages

An evacuation alert warns the public of a possible evacuation and provides instructions in case one should occur.

An evacuation order occurs once an evacuation is certain and informs residents of the area(s) they must leave.

 

Inadequate communication between emergency services and the public may lead to challenges such as:

  • Unclear evacuation routes.
  • Inaccurate head counts.
  • Lack of preparedness.
  • Missing persons.
  • Emotional distress.
  • Property damage.
  • Injuries and/or fatalities.

Our Evacuation Alerts use case helps Smart Governments provide accurate information in a timely manner. Residents are given as much time as possible to prepare, thereby avoiding the chaos of last-minute rushes for a safer evacuation overall:

  • By scheduling templated messages ahead of time, Smart Governments can deliver clear, easy-to-follow instructions that keep residents informed.
  • Two-way communications ensure that instructions and updates will be accurate, which facilitates better decision-making in the face of a crisis.
  • A calm public means emergency personnel can focus on the incident at hand, ultimately reducing its impact and saving as many lives as possible.

There are many potential incidents that could escalate to evacuations, but, our Evacuation Alerts use case is fully adjustable to handle whatever comes your way:

  • Wildfires.
  • Flooding.
  • Earthquakes.
  • Chemical or hazardous material spills.
  • Hurricanes.
  • Industrial accidents.
  • Bomb threats.

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