Software for Emergency Planning and Management

Overview
Atlas OPS is a highly 'dynamic' software system used for both planning and the interactive management of spontaneous or planned incidents.

It utilises the latest computer graphics technologies to display geo-specific information.

This may be complemented by user defined overlays / plans and used to manage a coordinated response.

In addition the user may call upon 'on line' contingency and emergency plans which may contain detailed procedures and instructions for any type of incident.

Atlas OPS offers a unique visual communication system, providing 'shared awareness' at all levels of the command structure.

The integrated high powered briefing capabilities, combined with an accurate audit log listing all actions, decisions and full order of events provide a unique tool that can be used prior, during and post incident.

Atlas OPS is deployed in both fixed and mobile installations, stand alone and networked, and is at the very forefront of Crisis and Disaster management.

Key Benefits

• Fully integrated planning and management tool
• Creation of highly dynamic emergency plans
• Excellent briefing capability
• Incident management / Command & Control tools
• Distribution of emergency plans on CD ROM
• The most comprehensive mapping and planning tool available
• Superb training and exercise tool
• UK Industry Standard

Command & Control

Emergency Planning

Atlas OPS provides the opportunity to create highly interactive and visual Emergency/Contingency Plans.

The 'intelligent map base' allows key information about tasks, locations and resources to be stored and accessed quickly and safely. 'Template' Plans can be created so that any new scenario can quickly and easily be constructed, saving time and effort, as well as facilitating the management of contact information, procedures, actions etc.

Emergency Planning

Emergency Plans created in Atlas OPS can be broadly distributed via a network, or deployed on a standalone PC / Laptop. These plans are an excellent way of not only responding to an incident, but also provide very powerful briefing and training capability.

The unique Atlas OPS interface offers an abundance of powerful tools allowing the user to manipulate and add in real time information relating to any incident or event.
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Plans become live and extremely dynamic, providing a wealth of geographical and site specific data at the fingertips of the operator.

Incident Management
Atlas OPS includes a highly intuitive and powerful management and control system providing;

• Resource command and control
• Full logging and auditing
• Single or multi user operation
• Live situation and status overview
• Replay of event for debrief and post incident analysis

Atlas OPS is used to provide sophisticated command and control, and resource management functions during major events, incidents and regular day to day operations.

A full audited log is maintained detailing all resource deployments, movements, change of status, incident information and policy decisions made during the operation.

Resources may be controlled via a single Atlas OPS terminal, or by a multi-user network. Atlas OPS maintains access control of the system users, allowing only designated operators to move or control their nominated resources. This may be used when senior or strategic command need to see an instant overview of an operation, but are not required to control the resources.

Incident Management

Atlas OPS also provides a 'Status Board' displaying an accurate overview of resource locations and their current operational status. The event log is automatically updated with the date and time of entry during any incident. This log may then be filtered to display movements of selected resources or specific types of log comment e.g. threats, deadlines, policy decisions.

Atlas OPS provides a state of the art solution for resource or event control enhancing and complementing the offerings of existing traditional command and control systems.

Mapping
Atlas OPS mapping is 'the' most user friendly operational map display system available. It was designed specifically for emergency managers / responders - coming without all of the usual high skills & user intensive overheads of traditional GIS systems.

The system allows the integration of various map and plan data. This may be geographic data such as digital maps & aerial imagery, or high quality CAD data from engineers, architects or building contractors.

Sophisticated Mapping & Event Management

All map data will operate seamlessly with other formats and allow the user to select any combination of available maps. Digital data is available for import into the emergency management system in the following formats:

• DWG - AutoCAD native format
• DXF - Data exchange format
• ESRI shape files
• UK Ordnance survey landline and master map

Digital raster data may be placed by geographic coordinates, matched against user specified points or freehand. The system will support most raster formats including.

• TIFF
• BMP
• JPEG
• ECW - compressed aerial & satellite imagery

The user can set the zoom threshold for all available formats to permit the automatic display of the most appropriate map type depending on zoom level. Users can navigate around the map simply by dragging the map or using the advanced 'real time' pan tools.

Key Point Indexes
Key Point Indexes may be generated from existing maps or drawings. They can be used to find roads or buildings, or to locate any other point of interest. The user can quickly create an entry by selecting an area of a map or drawing, and typing in a description.

Typically users will create Key Point Indexes for either

• Geographic areas
• Specific locations
• An event

Key Point Indexes

Atlas OPS also supports some pre prepared Indexes like the UK Ordnance Survey Address Point data. This allows a search on building property by a wide range of options including street, town or postcode.

Printing
Maps are quickly sent from screen to printer using the print button. The user has the option of printing the map on its own, or can also print a standard drawing border containing some pre-defined fields.

Atlas OPS will display an accurate print preview, and allows users to change the print area before committing to print. Prints can also be saved as a bitmap image file, or if Adobe Acrobat is installed, output directly as PDF format files.

Legends can also be saved and added to any print providing information about symbols or graphics used on the map

Symbol Libraries
Atlas OPS includes an integrated symbol library, also allowing users to create or import their own customized graphics or icons.

These icons may represent;

• Resources
• Key locations
• Equipment

Symbols can be created by drawing shapes using the standard Atlas OPS drawing tools, importing dwg/dxf information, or by selecting any graphic image file (bmp, jpeg, gif etc).

User Defined Symbol Libraries

It is also possible to create a symbol by combining a graphic file and drawn shapes. Once placed onto the map or drawing, symbols may be moved, copied, scaled or deleted using the Atlas OPS editing tools.

Users can also generate different groups of symbols that can be accessed via a selection of tabs from the symbol library dialog. Users can also easily distribute symbol libraries to other users
Typical uses of Atlas OPS include

• Emergency Planning
• Crisis / Incident Management
• First Responders
• Business Continuity Planning
• Advanced training and simulation
• High powered briefing tool

The system is used by emergency services, government departments and large corporate organisations throughout the world.