San Francisco Uses WebEOC Emergency Management Software to Manage Tsunami Alert after Earthquake in Japan

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Apr 12, 2011, 12:38 ET

AUGUSTA, Ga., April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck northern Japan on Friday, March 11 at 2:46 p.m. local time, collapsing buildings, homes and highways. Fifteen minutes later, a tsunami slammed into the Japanese coast, causing thousands of deaths, untold millions of dollars in property damage and an unfolding nuclear disaster.

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Across the Pacific Ocean at 1:00 a.m. local time, the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management activated its Emergency Operations Center in response to the issuance of a tsunami warning for the West Coast of the United States.

The San Francisco DEM implemented WebEOC^® software only one week prior to the tsunami alert.

"The system was very user-friendly and we were pleased that we could put it to use so quickly after implementation," said Amy Ramirez, Emergency Planner and the new WebEOC Administrator.

WebEOC, the world's first web-enabled crisis-information management system, enables emergency managers at command centers to share information with each other, with first responders such as fire, emergency medical services (EMS), public works and police, and local, state and national stakeholders.

"We used the WebEOC significant events board, activity logs and posted FAQ's about the event," Ms. Ramirez added. "WebEOC helped us to share information and maintain a common operating picture within our emergency management framework."

"We would like to welcome San Francisco and San Mateo County into the WebEOC community," John O'Dell, Chief Technology Officer for ESi, said. "As new users, we're very gratified that they had a positive experience with their first activation, especially since it was only one week after they were implemented. We think their new capability for creating situational awareness will greatly enhance their emergency management effectiveness."

About ESi

Founded in 1996, Augusta, Georgia-based ESi^®, the global leader in crisis information management solutions, pioneered the market with WebEOC^®, the world's first Web-enabled emergency management communications system. Recognized by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America for the past four years, ESi connects crisis response teams and decision makers at national, state and local agencies, healthcare providers, airlines and corporations worldwide, providing access to real-time information for a common operating picture during a crisis or daily operations. By offering a solutions package from initial design and installation through training, implementation and maintenance, ESi sets the standard for crisis information management. For more information, please visit www.ESi911.com.

Contact:
Norm Viksna
ESi
[email protected]
706.262.2516

SOURCE ESi