Amy Sebring: Welcome to the EIIP Tech Arena! Amy Sebring: For the benefit of our first-timers, when you see a blue web address, you can click on it and the referenced Web page should appear in a browser window. Amy Sebring: After the first one, the browser window may not automatically come to the top, so you may need to bring it forward by clicking on a button at the status bar at the bottom of your screen. Amy Sebring: e will start with a presentation, and then follow with a Q&A session for your questions and comments. Right before we begin the Q&A portion we will review the procedure. Amy Sebring: Please do NOT send direct messages to the speaker or moderator as it makes it difficult for us to follow the discussion Amy Sebring: Background information for today's session may be found at http://www.emforum.org/varena/000126.htm ... Amy Sebring: Today I am pleased to introduce Bill Karl, President of EM Assist, who is here with us today to tell us about the EM Assist product. Amy Sebring: Bill has considerable background in Emergency Management as you can see from the bio on the background page, including extensive experience in training, so he has been in a good position to assess the information needs of emergency managers. Amy Sebring: Welcome Bill, and thank you for joining us today. Bill Karl: Thank You Amy - I am pleased to have the opportunity to make this presentation. Bill Karl: http://www.emforum.org/varena/EMAssist/Slide1.htm Bill Karl: Since I began working in this field -- it seems ages ago -- I've dreamed of creating a product that would improve emergency management and save lives. I believe EM Assist is that product. Bill Karl: EM Assist is an emergency management knowledge and resource base that provides rapid access to information through a disk-based, extensively cross-indexed program, and a comprehensive internet-based guide to emergency management sites and resources. Bill Karl: Every profession needs a common language, to enable clear communication and working as a team. To bring together such a common language for emergency management, we began work in 1984 on what would later become the disk-based component of EM Assist. Bill Karl: We consolidated inputs from many agencies and individuals into one easy-to-use reference work with thousands of pages of program descriptions, job descriptions, definitions, and acronyms. Bill Karl: http://www.emforum.org/varena/EMAssist/Slide2.htm Bill Karl: We organized it alphabetically and by type of hazard or job. Then we added a hyper-link system to index all the pieces and enable users to quickly jump to definitions when they encountered unfamiliar terms. Bill Karl: http://www.emforum.org/varena/EMAssist/Slide3.htm Bill Karl: In our current product this component is one of the most often praised, and it often sells the package. Bill Karl: Here is a screenshot of the offline version. Bill Karl: http://www.emforum.org/varena/EMAssist/Screen2.htm Bill Karl: As the Internet came into wide use, we extended EM Assist to include on-line links and materials. We also created new reference and how-to materials. Bill Karl: We put these and downloads of the most useful on-line materials onto a CD-ROM, along with the original EM Assist disk- based, or off-line, version. Bill Karl: By having both the downloaded files and the links to their internet locations, you have the benefit of continual updates and also the benefit of on-hand material when you only have a slow internet connection, or none at all. Bill Karl: http://www.emforum.org/varena/EMAssist/Slide4.htm Bill Karl: We designed it for rapid reference, with over 600 megabytes of on-hand tutorials, handbooks, and other material -- including an exercise knowledge base, graphics and clip-art, and discussions of lessons learned and management concepts. Bill Karl: Here is a screenshot of the on-line component. Bill Karl: http://www.emforum.org/varena/EMAssist/Screen1.htm Bill Karl: Another often praised aspect of EM Assist is the expansion of topics to include professional development for emergency managers. Bill Karl: We include material on getting results, strategic planning, mentoring, staffing actions, setting up meetings, conducting interviews, stress control, team-building, and problem- solving -- and more. Bill Karl: For both the off-line and on-line components of EM Assist, we have always encouraged submission of suggestions and material by those who work in emergency management. Bill Karl: We are currently working to set up a combination of e- mail and secure web-site to make this participation even easier. And we plan to encourage it by offering awards ranging from tee- shirts to free copies of software. Bill Karl: That e-mail and web-site service will also enable us to offer continual updates on reference material, legislation, technology developments, and news affecting emergency management. Bill Karl: The next version of EM Assist is due out at the end of March 2000. Some of the enhancements will include the following: Bill Karl: http://www.emforum.org/varena/EMAssist/Slide5.htm Bill Karl: and http://www.emforum.org/varena/EMAssist/Slide6.htm Bill Karl: After the release of the March 2000 edition, we'll continue work on a second CD-ROM which will focus on presentations, graphics, and developing training programs. Bill Karl: At this time we anticipate no increase in price for these additional features and material. And users buying in large volumes will find us very accommodating in lowering unit price based on volume. Bill Karl: The future of EM Assist will be guided by two principles: Bill Karl: 1. We want it to become the best possible tool for initiating, maintaining, and improving community, company, and organizational efforts in emergency management and response. Bill Karl: 2. We will respond to customer questions and suggestions to fulfill the above for each case, making good emergency management something that can be affordable and achievable for every client. Bill Karl: To run EM Assist you need a PC-compatible computer, a CD ROM drive, and an Internet browser. Bill Karl: For those who purchase a site-license, EM Assist can be run off almost any network server -- although you do lose some of the survivability and speed of the stand-alone CD-ROM. Bill Karl: Also, the CD contains the files needed to create a three- floppy set of disks to install the off-line hyper-linked component on almost any computer running Windows. Bill Karl: This installation will take about 13 Megs of space on your hard drive. If you do not want install the off-line version on your hard drive, it can be run from the CD. Bill Karl: How much does EM Assist cost? Bill Karl: $300 per terminal for one year - this includes one update and a year's subscription to access the secure web site that provides news and continual updates. To maintain the service after the first year, the price is reduced to $200 per terminal. Bill Karl: We also have a greatly reduced price for college students and universities Bill Karl: To order EM Assist over the Internet use the Marketplace at http://www.domesticpreparedness.com Bill Karl: http://www.emforum.org/varena/EMAssist/Slide7.htm Bill Karl: For contact info, please see http://www.emforum.org/varena/EMAssist/Slide8.htm Amy Sebring: Thank you very much Bill for preparing this presentation. I hope we will have some good questions for you ... Amy Sebring: Audience please enter a question mark (?) to indicate you wish to be recognized, go ahead and compose your comment or question, but wait for recognition before hitting the enter key or clicking on Send. Amy Sebring: We now invite your questions or comments. Bill Karl: Thanks Amy I am ready for some questions Amy Sebring: And I am sure Bill would be interested in your suggestions as well. Peter Picanso: ? David Crews: ? Amy Sebring: It usually takes a moment or two to get the first.... Amy Sebring: Ok Peter please. Peter Picanso: What is the price for college students? Bill Karl: Peter it is $25 with no updates James Tyree: ? Amy Sebring: David next please. David Crews: Bill, I assume EM Assist can run on a local server as an Intranet. How much interactiveness does it have in information and report sharing and can it be customizable by the client to meet specific needs? Bill Karl: David -It as very limited customizable capabilities... Robert Swan: ? Bill Karl: It is not an information sharing or report sharing software - it works with other software that have these capabilities Bill Karl: like Web EOC. Amy Sebring: James next please. James Tyree: would there be a break in the price for volunteer fire departments? Bill Karl: James - not right now but maybe in the future... Bill Karl: We need to adjust the price to meet the capabilities of the marketplace.. Joanne McGlown: ? Bill Karl: I have some ideas but not ready to discuss yet. Amy Sebring: Bob Swan next please. Robert Swan: Does EM assist contain information on how to respond to debris management issues, before and after a disaster? David Crews: ? Bill Karl: Robert - our latest version includes a Response button and has response information... Bill Karl: We are working on the response area very hard ... Bill Karl: I notice that EIIP looked at the use of the Internet for response several months ago. We have given this a lot of thought to this subject. We have added a large Response button on the upper right land corner of the EM Assist screen. This button links to a phase approach for response - hazard assessment, alert and notification etc. It also links to the North America Emergency Response guidebook, various national hotlines and response centers and other information such as the parts of the CIA. Bill Karl: Hope this answers your question. Robert Swan: ? Amy Sebring: Go ahead and follow up please Bob, then we will come to Joanne. Robert Swan: Bill, I would like to get with you in the near future on this topic. e mail me at bswan@dewberry.com Amy Sebring: Ok, Joanne please. Joanne McGlown: Just wanted to respond to James - the $25 price is well worth it. I know how hard it is to find funds in the volunteer world, but it is an amazing resource. I require it of all my Master's students in the Emergency Management concentration. Bill Karl: Robert - thanks very much for your interest. Amy Sebring: David Crews is next please. David Crews: Do the definitions in EM Assist contain a taxonomy to establish accurate descriptions of resources needed to satisfy requirements for disaster recovery? Bill Karl: David - not yet - but I am working on a project for FEMA that is solving this problem... James Tyree: ? Bill Karl: It is a problem that will be solved in the future. Amy Sebring: Sounds very interesting Bill. James next please. James Tyree: I'm lost is it $25 or $300 for the fire dept Bill Karl: James - right now if you a student - it is $25 - I need to revisit the price for volunteers.. Amy Sebring: James, perhaps by getting together with other VFD's you could come up with a bulk order? Amy Sebring: I am thinking of your national level organizations. Bill Karl: As these issues come up will address them on an individual basis. Amy Sebring: Other comments? Suggestions? Amy Sebring: ? Amy Sebring: I particularly like the idea of including professional development info ... Amy Sebring: even found a link to holding virtual meetings! Robert Swan: ? Amy Sebring: Bill can you expand a little on the type of professional development material? Amy Sebring: You mentioned strategic planning for example ... Amy Sebring: this is a topic that has come up several times in this Forum.' Bill Karl: Bill - we have done a lot of research in this area... David Crews: ? Bill Karl: As I worked on the professional development series for NETC... Bill Karl: I found it important to update and expand this area... Bill Karl: We have included the typical stuff of reducing stress, speaking, writing more effectively... Bill Karl: but also include topics like getting better results, setting agendas etc. Amy Sebring: David please. David Crews: Bill you mentioned that EM Assist has instructions for using the internet. Does it contain any information on how to set up a local Intranet on a server and info about a using it in a virtual EOC environment? Avagene Moore: ? Bill Karl: David - we have not address this issue - we have a list of search engines... Bill Karl: and describe which ones to use - we also have Ask Jeeves that is a very good search engine. Amy Sebring: Avagene please. Avagene Moore: Bill, does the professional development include certification programs? If so, can you give us an example or two by organization or type of certification? This area seems to be growing rapidly. Amy Sebring: ? Peter Picanso: ? Bill Karl: Avagene - actually we are working on the certification issue as we speak... Bill Karl: there is interest to certify 911 operators... Bill Karl: we are exploring with JSU on using EM Assist to develop a certification program for 911 operators. Amy Sebring: JSU? Bill Karl: I might add - Association of Public Safety Communicators are interested in this project. Bill Karl: Jacksonville State University. Amy Sebring: One of the things we try to highlight here in the Forum is the continuing research. Do you include these kinds of resources as well? Helen Norris: ? Bill Karl: Amy - yes - we have best practices and links to the virtual libraries and case studies. Robert Swan: ? Amy Sebring: Peter is next please. Peter Picanso: Getting back to the Professional development area, does it have a list of resources for additional courses or universities? I'm particularly interested in the area of undergraduate studies and have a dearth of options on the West coast. Bill Karl: Peter - we have right now about 30 courses on the CD... Bill Karl: we are expanding this area - the courses are from facilitation to information war fare. Amy Sebring: Helen next please. Helen Norris: You mention the ability to update information. Is there going to be a charge for the updates - as with a subscription for virus updates? Bill Karl: Helen - the first update is free - future updates after the first year are $200 per year. David Crews: ? Helen Norris: Thank You. Amy Sebring: Robert is next please. Robert Swan: I was cut off. Is there a way to view a sample of the software, I am having trouble visualizing the product. Bill Karl: Robert - I will send you an old version that I use for a demo. Amy Sebring: Bob, if you see the transcript, it may help you also. Robert Swan: Thanks. That will be very helpful Amy Sebring: Two screen shots are included. Amy Sebring: Ok David is next please. David Crews: Have you translated EM Assist into any other languages, e.g. Spanish? Bill Karl: David - I am working with two international companies... Bill Karl: They are handling the marketing of the CD.... Bill Karl: I feel that the legislation issue forces into a new disk... Bill Karl: George Washington Univ. took a copy to Turkey about a week ago. Amy Sebring: Bill, legislation issue? Bill Karl: Amy - legislation is key to definitions of terms and approaches to program... Bill Karl: SARA Title III has a lot of specific definitions that would not apply to other countries. Amy Sebring: Can you tell us anymore at this time what you are working on for FEMA for terminology or taxonomy, or does that need to wait a bit? Bill Karl: Amy - Alabama CSEPP is building... Amy Sebring: (Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program, I believe) Bill Karl: a resource taxonomy and a data plan that will work in FEMIS... Bill Karl: I believe the approach can be expanded into other hazards and programs. Amy Sebring: Very interesting indeed. David Crews: ? Amy Sebring: We are about out of time ... Amy Sebring: David, last question quickly please. David Crews: Have you included the new 1600 EM Standard in EM Assist? Amy Sebring: It's not published yet David. I don't expect it will be out by March. Bill Karl: David - this is a good question... Bill Karl: We are aligning the CD to conform to NFPA 1600... Bill Karl: Philosophically I have always endorsed the program approach to EM... Bill Karl: so there is not a lot of work that needs to done in this area. Amy Sebring: Thank you very much for being with us today Bill, we hope you enjoyed it. Please stand by for a moment while we take care of some business. Bill Karl: Amy thank you and thank everyone for their interest. Amy Sebring: Avagene, can you tell us what's on for next week please? Avagene Moore: Thank you, Amy. And my appreciation to you, Bill, for sharing EM Assist with us. Very informative. Avagene Moore: Next Wednesday, we start our February sessions for the month with a session in the Virtual Library. Kenneth L. Patterson, Sr., Firefighter and EMT from St Augustine, Florida will present his paper, "Issues in the Wildland/Urban Interface" Avagene Moore: Ken's paper was recently published in the 1999 edition of the American Society of Professional Emergency Planners (ASPEP) Journal. Avagene Moore: Make your plans to participate in next week's session on Wednesday, February 2, 12 Noon EST. Avagene Moore: That's all for now, Amy. Amy Sebring: Thank you Ava. We have also decided to add an opportunity for our audience members to make announcements. Are there any announcements from the floor? Claire Rubin: Check out The Emergency Management Society meeting in FL in May at www.tiems.org Amy Sebring: Thanks Claire. Any other announcements? Amy Sebring: Thanks again Bill and thank you audience. We will adjourn the session for now, but you are invited to remain for open discussion. You no longer need to use question marks.