| The emergence of the Internet has had a significant impact on how information is managed and delivered before, during, and after all sorts of emergencies, from tornados to terrorist attacks. Research on this subject reveals that the Internet both enhances and complicates emergency communications, changing the way emergency responders access information, coordinate with one another, and communicate with the public. Yet many emergency services organizations are not fully prepared to manage Internet opportunities and issues.; Merging concepts from a variety of disciplines, this project defines a set of Internet preparedness standards for emergency services organizations, then provides resources for improving an organization's ability to meet those standards. Benchmarks, recommendations, and resources are based on reviews of publicly available emergency management information and interviews with working practitioners in the field of emergency services, who affirmed the need for both standards and training. |
