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EP staff call for common technology
A common technology standard across command rooms and increased training on interactive technologies could lead to major benefits for Emergency Planning Units, according to new market research.
The use of interactive white boards is also continuing to grow – both in frequency and in the range of use – with half of those who already have the equipment using it at least once a month, and around a quarter using the boards on a weekly basis to improve their emergency response management.
The aim of the market research campaign – which targeted every local government Emergency Planning office in the UK – was to identify the level of use and effectiveness of interactive technology within the emergency planning process.
The campaign was carried out by Steljes Ltd, technology solution providers and sole distributors of SMART Board interactive whiteboards in the UK, and the results will help the company to provide extra support such as training and managed solutions.
Malcolm Stewart, Public Sector Manager for Steljes Ltd, said: “The majority of Emergency Planning Departments originally purchased the SMART interactive technology for its specific benefits in integrated emergency management. The technology is starting to be used as part of the day-to-day activities such as training, briefing, planning, information sharing and even brain-storming.”
In response to the Civil Contingencies Act the research also examined the need for national standardisation/interoperability of core emergency planning technology.
More than 80 per cent of the Emergency Planning experts contacted by researchers believe that an agreed technology standard across the sector would be beneficial.
Of those units which have already invested in interactive technology, almost 70 per cent use white boards, with three times as many Emergency Planning staff using SMART Board interactive whiteboards as other equipment.
Interactive white boards are being used for an increasingly wide range of roles, rather than solely for either training or planning, and more than 60 per cent of those who took part in the research agreed that interactive technology training would be useful.
Malcolm Stewart said the research provided a valuable insight into the use of interactive technology within Emergency Planning.
“The market research was designed to provide a snapshot of the technology provision and support currently available to Emergency Planning Units following the Civil Contingencies Act, and the findings will be shared with key Emergency Planning agencies,” said Malcolm.
“Clearly there has been considerable growth in the use of interactive technologies, which are increasingly effective in enabling Emergency Planning staff to carry out their roles, and there is a growing need for training to ensure staff are making the best use of the technology.
“We share the view that standardisation across the sector would be beneficial, both for Emergency Planning staff and for the agencies they share information with, most of whom already use SMART Board interactive whiteboards.”
For more information on the research, contact the Public Safety Marketing team at Steljes on 08450 758 758.
