Customizing Web-EOC Crisis Management Software to Facilitate Collaboration and Increase Situational Awareness: Advances in Business Resource Center (BRC) Design for Business Continuity Management

Abstract

The Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency embarked upon a project with the University of Hawai’i at West O’ahu to determine the best design and use of a Business Resource Center (BRC) to increase the disaster management collaboration among the public, private and non-governmental sectors. The visitor industry was identified as the first sector that will be engaged. The project includes five major tasks: creation of a BRC Annex and Standard Operating Guide; the development of a BRC WebEOC portal; the design of small businesses preparedness materials; the identification of emergency communications requirements; and emergency management outreach, training and exercises. This paper focuses on the second task listed above: development of a BRC WebEOC portal for effective disaster management collaboration, information sharing and situational awareness. This involves the design of data fields for the WebEOC crisis management system. Finally, focus groups in Hawaii are examined to learn more about current levels of disaster engagement, gaps in disaster information or services, and opportunities for increased success with disaster management through a central BRC. In general, there was a strong sense of support for the development of a collaborative BRC space for the public and private sectors. Investigations pertaining to business disruptions are undertaken with an emphasis on modeling, understanding and characterizing the complex causality that defines these incidents. In so doing this chapter uncovers creative, timely and important strategies improving business continuity management and disaster resilience in Hawaii.