After the storm: DragonPoint helps to connect more than 10K utilities with emergency reporting system

When there’s an emergency like a hurricane, tropical storm, or flood, it’s essential that utilities can activate quickly to help people in need. DragonPoint’s client is responsible for reporting the status of more than 10,000 utilities and needed an emergency reporting system that would make it easy for utilities to report their status and request assistance, even when things were at their worst. We listened to the challenges and designed an out-of-the-box solution that continues to make a difference.

Develop a system for utilities to report status and request assistance in the midst of an emergency, when internet connectivity may be spotty or unavailable
Integrate texting and email functions to improve communications
Allow utilities to assist each other with equipment or labor resources by consolidating requests to an accessible system
Streamline reporting requirements

Created an application with user management and maintenance functions as well as a homepage dashboard with:
- Messages about an active event
- Map of the impacted area for an event
- Status of each impacted county (based on the status of the utilities in the county)
- List of assistance requests
- Quick links to access frequently used pages
- Hotlink list of state resources outside the system
Allowed for users to create emails and text messages and choose recipients, selecting among options such as all utilities, only those impacted by an event, or specific counties. These are sent after administrator approval.
Created a single page that allows administrators to see all needs for assistance and assign available resources to a need. Needs and resources may be viewed as a list in a grid or on a map.
Provided an automated process for creating response teams to update the status of facilities after an event
Allowed utilities to press a single Get Help button to open a page to quickly request assistance by entering a minimum of information

Included a Dam Safety module that replaced complex spreadsheet
Created a Progressive Web App (PWA) that allows users to enter information with or without an internet connection; information entered when the internet is not available is synced to the main application as soon as a connection exists. The functionality in the PWA includes:
- Display member utilities near me on a map
- Set status
- Request assistance
- Offer equipment and labor assistance
- Reset user passwords or send new user emails (for authorized administrators)
- The system also texts users who have signed up for this service. The texts are sent at a predetermined interval after the event begins, and the conversation provides utilities with the opportunity to report their status and request equipment or labor assistance.

Centralized assignment of resources from a spreadsheet to a single page so administrators can easily see needs
Made it easier for those with limited communication to get help via the Get Help Now! Button and PWA
Set the system up to generate reports immediately, freeing people to spend time on more valuable response efforts
Developed and delivered Version 1 of the system ahead of schedule. After Go Live and the success of the system, the client continued working with DragonPoint to enhance the application with new functionality based on feedback from the people using it.
EPA told DragonPoint that this was the premier system of its type in the US

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After the storm: DragonPoint helps to connect more than 10K utilities with emergency reporting system

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Custom Computer Programming

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