American Red Cross deploys GRT's mobile field-data solution for Colorado wildfire

The American Red Cross (ARC) used Global Relief Technologies' Rapid Data Management System (RDMS) technology solution to coordinate ARC field workers participating in support and relief efforts during the Colorado Wildfires.

RDMS is a leading mobile data collection, management, and analysis solution used by various agencies, the US military, non-government organizations like the ARC, and other countries. Suzanne Bresette, Executive Vice President of GRT, explained that "We at GRT know the use of RDMS by the American Red Cross will help ARC provide needed support and aid much faster to the unfortunate victims of the disaster caused by the Colorado Wildfires."

Investigators are still studying the possible cause of the Colorado Wildfires. The state has spent over $9 million to battle the wildfires, which started on June 23. More than 100,000 acres across the state had been devastated, and many residents were forced to evacuate their homes. In just one of the neighborhoods overrun by Colorado's most destructive wildfire, a total of more than $110 million worth of homes had been destroyed. The Denver Post reported that actual losses will probably run much higher during the final estimate.

There was a bright spot in the ash-filled gloom. The American Red Cross was able to effectively coordinate and direct its field workers through the use of Global Relief Technologies' Rapid Data Management System. RDMS had already been proven its worth during earlier emergency response and disaster relief efforts to areas affected by hurricanes, tornados, and floods.

ARC collects Damage Assessments of the scenario via RDMS. The data is saved and then combined with geo-location information that maps the data. The resulting map is used to determine the extent of damage dealt by a disaster to a geographic area as well as to ascertain the severity of structural damage.

In addition, RDMS can use any number of map overlays to enhance the user's situational awareness by displaying access points, rights of way, weather, and other salient points. Satellite imagery from GRT's partner GeoEye, in particular, can be used to great effect.

Particular features found in Global Relief Technologies' RDMS include an intuitive graphical user interface, 100% real-time two way communication, a Workflow Rules & Computation Engine that validates structured data and improves accuracy during the collection process, and Global Positioning System (GPS) & Geographic Information System (GIS) integrated mapping capabilities. RDMS also has the capacity to work in a connected and/or disconnected environment, is easily reconfigured to the specific needs of individual users, and ensures high levels of security.

RDMS can also keep Emergency Response, Disaster Recovery Teams, and Military Operations connected 24/7 through the use of Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) satellite communications. This is critical because wireless, and other modes of connection are often unavailable during a natural disaster.