Good afternoon,

Notes from our July Work Group meeting are below. In addition, Lach Mullen has compiled the SPR Gaps discussed at the meeting into a spreadsheet that indicates whether the gap has any relationship with technology. We will continue our conversation about the SPR gaps at the August meeting.

• Justin Jurek distributed an updated document from TRG that indicated the progress on identified gaps in Jetty. In addition, training sessions will be scheduled over the next several months. As soon as TRG advises on a schedule for other updates or enhancements, Justin will advise the administrators.
• The WebEOC Work Group saw a demonstration from Juvare of Contacts Manager (previously discussed) and Messages Manager. Release notes on Version 8.10 will be distributed, as were links to two Juvare online sessions on updates to their software. Shelli Carter reminded the group that in order for hospitals’ STAR requests to be seen by CMOC, they must be routed to the county and CMOC Logistics must be set as the Responsible Party. There may be changes coming to the STAR board from TDEM, but more details will be available at a later date. Shelli is also compiling the results of feedback on the STAR from within the region.
• Jared Granberry is reaching out to other UASIs on how they structure their contracts with ESRI to ensure our region gets maximum benefit from the Regional GIS project. In addition, he will provide a demonstration at our August meeting of some potential uses of ArcGIS Online and the Survey123 app for damage assessment.
• At the request of RCC, the group reviewed gaps from the SPR in Goals 1 and 10 to identify any potential projects or activities that the Technology Work Group could perform to close those gaps. The discussion yielded several ideas, which will be further explored in August (also see Lach’s Gaps Spreadsheet). Some of the ideas discussed were:
  • The ability to share information between WebEOC and the system used by the VOADs for crisis management.
  • Whether a Learning Management System (an online platform for delivering training classes and storing training records) would benefit the region.
  • Alternative ways that the region can identify at-risk populations beyond STEAR (including GIS and statistical data available from the federal government, paratransit data, and data from organizations like Meals on Wheels).
  • The need to either resolve open issues with the UASI site’s ability to securely store program files and plans or find an alternate solution.
  • Developing a framework for deploying individuals to provide technical expertise to emergency managers during activations.
• The August meeting will be held on 27 August 2020, and will again be virtual. In addition to further refining our ideas regarding SPR gaps, the group will also have a Meet Our Technology from ArcGIS Online (courtesy of Jared Granberry) and see a Vendor Presentation from Umanity, a Houston-based company that has an app and website designed to help match those with resources (goods and services) with individuals in need after a disaster. A full agenda with screen-share instructions will be sent out approximately one week prior to the meeting.