In disaster relief, reliable communication and effective coordination of federal and local resources can often spell the difference between controlling the situation and events devolving into chaos. FEMA workers often deploy into scenarios where infrastructure has failed and conditions are dynamic. To operate effectively in these environments, these teams rely on more than experience and training. They need reliable technology that can perform in hazardous conditions where nothing else can.
These are the types of situations where rugged tablets, laptops and handhelds shine. TOUGHBOOK® solutions are purpose-built to keep emergency response efforts connected, informed and operational in even the direst circumstances.
Rugged Tablets Operate in Virtually Any Environment
Disaster relief efforts can push people and technology to their limits. FEMA must contend with driving rain, dust storms, freezing cold temperatures, heat, and smoke from fires, among other challenges — all while seamlessly moving between mobile command centers, vehicles and emergency sites. As such, the rugged technology these teams rely on to keep them connected must do the same.
Some of the most important rugged features needed during relief operations include:
- Glove-sensitive touchscreens. To stay safe, field teams must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times, including gloves. Therefore, it’s essential that laptops and other rugged equipment can be operated while wearing them.
- Ability to operate in extreme conditions. Dust and dirt, water and moisture and extreme temperatures are par for the course in a disaster area, so FEMA workers need to bring technology that can handle any environmental conditions. The TOUGHBOOK G2, for example, can operate at temperatures ranging from -25°F up to 145°F. Aid workers also need to be able to read screens in direct sunlight and in other lighting conditions.
- Resistance to drops and impacts. The equipment carried by field teams must withstand bumps, impacts, and drops that relief workers will inevitably encounter during the course of their duties. Rugged technology can handle minor impacts and drops without risking functionality.
- Reliable connectivity. Beyond simple durability, connectivity is also crucial to operations. FEMA relies on multiple, overlapping networks to maintain communications when commercial infrastructure is damaged, including public and private 5G networks, FirstNet®, Cells on Light Trucks (COLTs), Cells on Wheels (COWs), Wi-Fi and satellite GPS.
To this end, TOUGHBOOK rugged mobility solutions offer all of these features. With glove-touch mode, sunlight-readable screens, and MIL-STD-810H and IP certifications, TOUGHBOOK can support operations in any disaster scenario. Additionally, teams can switch between various communication networks as needed via built-in hardware and modular xPAKs, ensuring they maintain reliable access to databases and can communicate effectively with incident commanders and other teams on the ground.
Powering More Intelligent Disaster Response
As federal operations increasingly move toward a more digital environment, access to powerful computing technology at the edge is fast becoming a requirement rather than a luxury. Here are some of the ways TOUGHBOOK is helping to facilitate smarter disaster response.
Consistent Field Reporting
With rugged tablets and handhelds, responders can collect and report data from the field in real time, including damage assessments, injury reports, and other useful information. These teams can also leverage GPS and GIS data to map flood-impact zones, optimize debris-removal operations, investigate infrastructure assets, and enhance rescue operations.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Support
FEMA has also begun procuring drones and unmanned systems for aerial reconnaissance, which, when deployed, will require on-the-ground computing power to process and analyze large volumes of video and photographic data. Including TOUGHBOOK rugged laptops as part of the agency’s government technology stack provides this power, as well as the ability to collaborate with other agencies that use these technologies.
Predictive Maintenance
A FEMA response typically involves a massive deployment of equipment, including vehicles, generators, shelters and numerous other types of field equipment. Keeping this equipment ready to go at a moment’s notice is no small feat, and keeping it operational in the harsh conditions of a disaster area can prove even more challenging.
Through predictive maintenance programs, FEMA can monitor this equipment using Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and compatible analytics software to receive advanced notice of equipment issues. Including rugged laptops in the mix enables command teams to run the solutions necessary to monitor equipment health in real time and avoid unexpected breakdowns.
How TOUGHBOOK Rugged Tablets Keep FEMA Workers Prepared
Between deployments, FEMA’s technology teams must track and maintain thousands of devices around the country as they prepare for the next major event. Our Professional Services team can help free up strained IT resources by providing:
- Warranty and repair support to extend device lifecycles.
- Deployment support, including kitting, disk image management, BIOS customization, asset tagging and more.
- Wireless activation for turnkey operation, as well as suspension of services to lower costs between events.
- Logo personalization to brand devices to the agency.
- Custom vehicle mounting and installation.
- Smart Compliance, powered by Eclypsium, to continuously monitor critical components and firmware for compliance issues.
- Smart Essentials, for real-time visibility into assets, including battery health, performance, user behavior and network connectivity.
- TOUGHBOOK Guard, which operates below the operating system to defend against cyber attacks and detect hardware tampering.
Responders need equipment that they know will operate in any environment, stay connected when standard networks fail, and protect sensitive government data at the endpoint. TOUGHBOOK delivers all of that and more through a combination of rugged durability, end-to-end security and comprehensive support services.
Long trusted by the military and numerous government agencies, TOUGHBOOK stands ready to help FEMA restore order, coordinate recovery and make communities safe again when the next disaster strikes.
Learn more about our solutions and services for government agencies.
