Homeland Defense Adaptive Planning & Execution Management
In this hypothetical scenario, we explore a response to a biological disease outbreak (National Planning Scenario #3) requiring a rapid and comprehensive response on a national scale. CSI’s Adaptive Planning and Execution (APEX) technology can augment the National Incident Management System to help prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the hazards associated with a biological disease outbreak. The strength of cognitive computing enhances collaboration during planning and responding, automates processing of complex events to provide shared situational understanding, and facilitates unity of effort that improves the allocation and flow of scarce resources.
A virulent strain of H1N1 has emerged in the New England region and has been causing severe respiratory infections. The virus is spreading through both touch and airborne transmission with a minimum 15% Gross Attack Rate. Given the severity of the disease and its resistance to containment, it has been categorized as a Phase 6 pandemic and authorities expect the entire country to be affected within a matter of weeks. Federal and state agencies are mobilizing a response.
Distributed Collaborative Response Planning
Anticipating impacts comparable to the devastating pandemic of 1918-1919, authorities have activated the National Incident Command System and all applicable contingency plans. Fortunately, response agencies/organizations have implemented CSI’s APEX technology following its success in the last series of national scenario exercises at the federal and state level. Using the APEX system, distributed software agents help authorities recognize and address gaps in plans and allow planners at all echelons and in all response disciplines to collaboratively refine response plans. The APEX system’s predictive analytics and projection analysis allows planners to improve prepositioning of scarce resources and plan for further distribution.
Dynamic Replanning During Response
APEX-assisted efforts during prepare and protect phases postured response agencies for the gamut of possibilities, but the specifics of the H1NI pandemic demand modification of plans. Because APEX provides a “living plan,” designed for dynamic modification and use throughout execution, adaptation occurs seamlessly. Complex event processing software agents ingest data from countless sensors and sources, and then rapidly process that data to provide users in their respective operations centers with recommended responses. During the response phase, allocation and distribution of resources and timely information occurs effectively with limited waste and confusion.
Benefits Of CSI Technology
CSI’s cutting-edge software with APEX capability provided a means for agencies to plan more comprehensively and respond rapidly and effectively. Using APEX, the responders improved unity of effort and increased shared situational understanding. APEX enabled response managers to quickly direct resources, transportation, and medical response to where they were needed most – efficiently using scarce resources to the greatest effect. The improved collaboration of the federal, state and local response organizations was more coordinated and responsive and had the means to achieve their ultimate goal of saving as many lives as possible.