At times the world can be a tense place, where conflict occurs and the potential for loss of life becomes real. At times like this risk management and crisis management plans need to be put into place to ensure that the lid is kept on potential issues to ensure that crisis plans remain dormant.
Taking safety for granted is a non-starter. Consider aid workings, on duty in a 3rd world country. There may be reasons for certain groups of people to set on these people, who are simply doing their jobs, and with the use of GPS technology and communications their jobs can become less of a risk to their own lives and they can continue to help others.
GPS Technology allows for centralized teams to monitor the location of remote workers, whilst being able to keep in uninterrupted contact with people on the ground, in the air and at sea.
The Crisis Management technology is designed to fit a purpose. This means that a device that is used for personnel tracking is a different device that is used to track aircraft. For example, a personnel tracking device could be a small portable device, where as a tracking device used for aircraft would perhaps be fitted to the plane itself. In most cases, the devices are discrete and where required small enough to be portable.
Crisis Management plans are important, because the team responsible for management of the situation must be able to react instantly and make quick fire decisions on the spot. If they don’t then lives could be lost. The GPS technology that they use aids them with the tactical approach to making the right decisions.
GPS Technology is ideal in remote locations as the equipment uses the network of satellites orbiting the earth to pass communication from one device to another. This means that there is no need for localized cell towers, as is needed with mobile phone technology.
Now that GPS technology is affordable, where lives are concerned the question isn’t if to use it, it’s where to use it.
Monday, 26 April 2010
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Crisis Management Technology that can be applied in different applications
The term crisis management tends to scare some people a bit, and so it should. Crisis management is essentially a plan of action that is called upon when risk has been exploited. A crisis situation may or not involve a human life (or more than one human life) or it may involve hardware and assets that are extremely valuable to a company or mission.
As it has evolved over the last few years, GPS Technology has provided companies and nations with the facility to be able to not only trace their assets but also monitor potential situations that may lead into a crisis.
By using small tracking and communication devices central teams can monitor and advise troops on the ground, aid workers, boats and ships out at sea or planes in the air on what action needs to be taken to avoid a potential crisis.
In the event that crisis cannot be avoided it is down to the central team to act swiftly ensuring that the situation can be monitored using GPS tracking and communication remains in place through satellite phones.
GPS Technology can be applied throughout different applications. Examples of which can be found below:
Personnel Tracking – By asking personnel to carry around a small tracking device it is possible for the central team to know the exact location of the individual and where they might be in association with potential risk or hostility.
Vehicle Tracking – Ideal for convoys, these tracking devices can help convoys avoid potential hijacking and loss of life or consignments.
Maritime Tracking – For boats and ships that set sail GPS technology and communication is paramount to a safe passage. As weather systems are monitored it is possible for a central management team to relay this information to the ships captain and arrange a new course.
These are just three simple applications of GPS technology and where it can help avoid a crisis, however it is not limited in its use. For example you could also use it during an expedition through a mountain range, or a business trip to the far east.
As it has evolved over the last few years, GPS Technology has provided companies and nations with the facility to be able to not only trace their assets but also monitor potential situations that may lead into a crisis.
By using small tracking and communication devices central teams can monitor and advise troops on the ground, aid workers, boats and ships out at sea or planes in the air on what action needs to be taken to avoid a potential crisis.
In the event that crisis cannot be avoided it is down to the central team to act swiftly ensuring that the situation can be monitored using GPS tracking and communication remains in place through satellite phones.
GPS Technology can be applied throughout different applications. Examples of which can be found below:
Personnel Tracking – By asking personnel to carry around a small tracking device it is possible for the central team to know the exact location of the individual and where they might be in association with potential risk or hostility.
Vehicle Tracking – Ideal for convoys, these tracking devices can help convoys avoid potential hijacking and loss of life or consignments.
Maritime Tracking – For boats and ships that set sail GPS technology and communication is paramount to a safe passage. As weather systems are monitored it is possible for a central management team to relay this information to the ships captain and arrange a new course.
These are just three simple applications of GPS technology and where it can help avoid a crisis, however it is not limited in its use. For example you could also use it during an expedition through a mountain range, or a business trip to the far east.
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
GPS Technology - A third eye in Crisis Management
There are many people who work in order to help save the lives of others who are less fortunate than themselves, especially in the 3rd world. However, working remotely can be a dangerous proposition. Being away from normal life, and being put into a situation with different cultures and unknown dangers can be difficult without aid and backup from a central communications team.
From working with people in a small remote village, to taking part in a convoy from one destination to another, there is always an element of risk that needs to be managed in order to prevent a potential crisis.
GPS Technology is very often put in place to act as a third eye for the teams on the ground. By being able to monitor the surrounding areas, the exact locations of the teams and keep in constant communication it helps the team carry out their duties whilst they know their backs are being watched from above.
It would only take minutes for a potential crisis to break out and lives to be lost.
GPS Technology utilise satellites in the sky to pass communication to people on the ground. In remote locations this is ideal for crisis management solutions as there are often no cell towers so mobile phones are not an option. Not only can GPS Technology be used to communicate but it can also help to pin-point the exact location of the teams on the ground, so in the event that backup teams needed to be sent in they can arrive quickly and efficiently.
GPS Technology has been designed to fit to a number of different applications. Personnel tracking devices are designed to be small and discrete so that people can carry them around, where as other devices are specifically designed for vehicles, boats and aircraft. Even buildings can be tagged to ensure round the clock monitoring if required.
At the end of the day, the assistance that the GPS Technology provides saves lives. It’s hard to think how teams on the ground would have survived without it in the past, but it’s important that we now look forward and continue to use GPS Tracking applications wherever their may be an element of risk or the potential of loss of life.
From working with people in a small remote village, to taking part in a convoy from one destination to another, there is always an element of risk that needs to be managed in order to prevent a potential crisis.
GPS Technology is very often put in place to act as a third eye for the teams on the ground. By being able to monitor the surrounding areas, the exact locations of the teams and keep in constant communication it helps the team carry out their duties whilst they know their backs are being watched from above.
It would only take minutes for a potential crisis to break out and lives to be lost.
GPS Technology utilise satellites in the sky to pass communication to people on the ground. In remote locations this is ideal for crisis management solutions as there are often no cell towers so mobile phones are not an option. Not only can GPS Technology be used to communicate but it can also help to pin-point the exact location of the teams on the ground, so in the event that backup teams needed to be sent in they can arrive quickly and efficiently.
GPS Technology has been designed to fit to a number of different applications. Personnel tracking devices are designed to be small and discrete so that people can carry them around, where as other devices are specifically designed for vehicles, boats and aircraft. Even buildings can be tagged to ensure round the clock monitoring if required.
At the end of the day, the assistance that the GPS Technology provides saves lives. It’s hard to think how teams on the ground would have survived without it in the past, but it’s important that we now look forward and continue to use GPS Tracking applications wherever their may be an element of risk or the potential of loss of life.
Friday, 9 April 2010
Crisis Situations require careful Risk Management planning
In the event of any crisis, no matter how large or small, there is always a very good chance that it will generate some interest from the local, national or even international media. This can lead to some very serious negative impacts on the organisation facing the crisis as they focus their efforts on trying to resolve the situation.
Crisis can strike at any time, which is why it is important for organisations to have risk management plans in place. A risk assessment can help to identify situations within the organisation that might be exploited and create crisis situations. Risk management is a process that can help deter crisis, although in reality it can be very difficult to control events that lead up to a crisis as they are often influenced by external factors.
Once risk management has been exploited, Crisis Management plans kick into action.
Crisis Management plans are reactive, as opposed to risk management plans with a proactive. Crisis Management plans react to the situation in front of those managing the situation and its important that these people are able to make split second calculated decisions in an attempt to resolve the situation and often to help save lives.
In a remote location Crisis Management has added pressures. For example, an aid worker or military dispatch might be caught in a hostile situation that requires careful planning and intelligence to resolve. This is where the use of GPS technology can come into play, becoming a third eye for the crisis management team.
Below are some hints of Crisis Management.
Crisis Situations can be scary. They don't have to be in the middle of a desert or in a foreign land. A crisis could occur by somebody falling down a set of stairs, or suffering a potentially fatal medical condition.
Consider your Risk Management strategy now, and you might just prevent the next crisis from actually happening...
Crisis can strike at any time, which is why it is important for organisations to have risk management plans in place. A risk assessment can help to identify situations within the organisation that might be exploited and create crisis situations. Risk management is a process that can help deter crisis, although in reality it can be very difficult to control events that lead up to a crisis as they are often influenced by external factors.
Once risk management has been exploited, Crisis Management plans kick into action.
Crisis Management plans are reactive, as opposed to risk management plans with a proactive. Crisis Management plans react to the situation in front of those managing the situation and its important that these people are able to make split second calculated decisions in an attempt to resolve the situation and often to help save lives.
In a remote location Crisis Management has added pressures. For example, an aid worker or military dispatch might be caught in a hostile situation that requires careful planning and intelligence to resolve. This is where the use of GPS technology can come into play, becoming a third eye for the crisis management team.
Below are some hints of Crisis Management.
- Always prepare a contingency plan. Crisis often happens at short notice and where possible crisis management teams should be able to rehearse a crisis situation as if it were real. Although a real crisis is very different to a staged situation a rehearsal can help members to know what their role is within the team.
- Organise a clear P.R. plan. Only the designated people should communicate with the outside world to avoid mixed stories.
- If in doubt consider hiring external crisis management consultants.
- Evaluate your decision making - but do it quickly. Consider the long term effects of a short term decision.
- Work as a team. Everyone needs to be pulling the same way in order to be able to resolve the situation and save lives.
Crisis Situations can be scary. They don't have to be in the middle of a desert or in a foreign land. A crisis could occur by somebody falling down a set of stairs, or suffering a potentially fatal medical condition.
Consider your Risk Management strategy now, and you might just prevent the next crisis from actually happening...
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Risk Assessments help to keep your assets protected
From time to time, every company or organization should carry out what is commonly known as a risk assessment. A risk assessment is an exercise carried out at regular intervals that identifies areas that could put assets (people or otherwise) into danger. Once that danger occurs the risk potentially turns into a crisis.
A risk assessment should be carried out on all your assets. An assest can be anything from an aircraft to a person. It is literally anything that you might have within your organization.
What is risk?
Risk is the chance of exposing a potential vulnerability that might have an impact on the company or the individual assets in a certain situation. Each risk should have a level of impact, usually Fair, Medium or High. A high-risk situation would be one that puts the assets in serious danger, such as potential loss of life or destruction of an asset.
In remote areas of areas of conflict Risk Management plays an extremely important role in keeping crisis at bay. Risk management is a preventative measure that is designed to prevent Crisis from happening. Although Risk assessments are carried out it is also highly important to ensure that Crisis Management plans are put in place. Crisis Management plans are executed in the event of a risk being breached.
As you can probably image Technology plays a role in Risk Assessment. For example, in Maritime, just by monitoring weather conditions risk can be measured and assessed on a regular basis to avoid potential crisis should a boat run into a storm. On the ground, the location of a military convoy can be monitored using GPS technology to effectively assess risk levels in terms of potential hijacking or breakdown. In remote locations even a simple breakdown could quickly turn into a crisis situation if the risk is not monitored and managed efficiently.
Risk management assessments can often pave the way for the introduction of GPS technology for people working in remote locations.
In extreme situations Risk Management procedures and technology can save lives. It’s not just about looking for potential threats, it’s ultimately about reducing the chances of something going wrong and preventing a crisis.
A risk assessment should be carried out on all your assets. An assest can be anything from an aircraft to a person. It is literally anything that you might have within your organization.
What is risk?
Risk is the chance of exposing a potential vulnerability that might have an impact on the company or the individual assets in a certain situation. Each risk should have a level of impact, usually Fair, Medium or High. A high-risk situation would be one that puts the assets in serious danger, such as potential loss of life or destruction of an asset.
In remote areas of areas of conflict Risk Management plays an extremely important role in keeping crisis at bay. Risk management is a preventative measure that is designed to prevent Crisis from happening. Although Risk assessments are carried out it is also highly important to ensure that Crisis Management plans are put in place. Crisis Management plans are executed in the event of a risk being breached.
As you can probably image Technology plays a role in Risk Assessment. For example, in Maritime, just by monitoring weather conditions risk can be measured and assessed on a regular basis to avoid potential crisis should a boat run into a storm. On the ground, the location of a military convoy can be monitored using GPS technology to effectively assess risk levels in terms of potential hijacking or breakdown. In remote locations even a simple breakdown could quickly turn into a crisis situation if the risk is not monitored and managed efficiently.
Risk management assessments can often pave the way for the introduction of GPS technology for people working in remote locations.
In extreme situations Risk Management procedures and technology can save lives. It’s not just about looking for potential threats, it’s ultimately about reducing the chances of something going wrong and preventing a crisis.
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