Previstar CPS: The first intelligent resource and information management system for emergency management.

How do major corporations and battlefield commanders ensure that they have the right resources in the right place at the right time to successfully complete their missions? The answer is intelligent resource and information management.

The Previstar Continual Preparedness System (CPS) is the first intelligent resource and information management system built from the ground up to automate National Incident Management System (NIMS) processes for preparedness, response and recovery. With its comprehensive knowledgebase, the system enables automated, intelligent management of complex interrelated resources, personnel and operational processes.

CPS Modules Include:

Planning

• Planning Generator, Exercises, Task lists, Organizations, Contacts, Skills, Modeling, Status Boards

Response

• Messaging, Live Chat, Incident Command Setup, ICS work flow, Tasks, Projects, Incident Status, Major Events , Press Releases

Resource Management

• Inventory, Requests, Needs, Deployments, Demobilizations, Costs

GIS

• ESRI and Microsoft Virtual Earth Interface
• Geographically display facilities, resources, incidents, and organizations

Recovery & Reimbursement

• Contractors, FEMA Project Worksheet tracking, Damage Assessments

Predictive Modeling and Model Builder

• Bio Agents Model Set including infectious and noninfectious disease
• Hurricane Debris Models
• Build your own models

Effectively managing a dynamic operating environment requires a system with the right mix of capabilities, scalability, and flexibility to meet operational complexities.

First Generation Incident Management Solutions provide incident tracking and status monitoring. Users log into a secure portal, share information, and display information on various status boards. However, situational awareness is only the first step in incident management. What happens after the realities of the situation are identified and its time to create a strategy, take action, and monitor the ongoing operation?

• How do you seamlessly manage each inquiry, resource request, and request for action?
• Are your functional roles equipped with the right capabilities to manage these actions?
• Are those capabilities integrated by a common platform or located in disparate systems that don't work together?
• Does the system track resource requests, shortfalls, deployments, and deployment costs?
• Does the system utilize plans effectively during the response? Or do plans remain unused on a shelf?
• What additional planning and day-to-day capabilities does the system provide to enhance response?
• Does the system use a standardized operating methodology that integrates the National Incident Management System and Incident Management System?
• Does the system track recovery and reimbursement actions after the event is over? How does it track project worksheets, contractors, damage assessments? - Or Generate automatic cost reimbursement reports?

Previstar CPS meets these requirements.

CPS Provides:

Industry's most comprehensive suite of operational tools integrated by a common platform - enables functional and organizational alignment across the incident lifecycle

Work flow that takes users beyond status boards - Manage and track inquiries, resource requests, requests for action, and major events in systematic framework

Linked planning to response - unlike other systems that provide response capabilities only, CPS activates preplans created by its step-by-step Plan Generator which automates static paper plans and allows planners to think through actions before they occur

Day-to-day capabilities beyond response - Implement daily preparedness activities with the planning module, validate plans using the automated Exercise Generator, manage daily tasks, messages, and meetings (integrate with Outlook)

Government Created Modeling - plan for asymmetrical threats with scenario based mass casualty planning, daily resource forecasting, and debris forecasting

NIMS Compliance - CPS is driven with NIMS/ICS principals, guidelines, forms, and processes. Unlike other systems where ICS forms are static or "ad hoc", ICS forms in CPS automatically update and exchange available data between each other and within the database. Click here to view how CPS aligns with NIMS major components

System Architecture - Supports integration and collaboration with pre-existing legacy systems. Enables scalability, security, and flexible licensing options. Multiple entities can have full access to CPS while at the same time providing autonomy through data security and partitioning

Limited Liability Protection - Previstar has received Safety Act Designation from the United States Department of Homeland Security. This designation grants its customers and subcontractors significant lawsuit protection and reduced liability for claims arising out of terrorism acts where the Previstar Continual Preparedness System has been deployed

Meet real-world planning challenges with Previstar CPS.

Previstar CPS is an intelligent information and resource management system that addresses real-world planning challenges:

• Step-by-Step Plan Generator - automate static paper plans, activated plans during response
• Scenario Based Exercise Module - validate your plans, create user defined Master Scenario Event Lists
• Scenario Based Modeling and Resource Forecasting - project casualties and daily resource requirements for bio attacks or hurricanes
• Manage Organizations - identify stakeholder organizations
• Manage Contacts - identify stakeholders
• Manage Skills - track all available skills and certificated personnel available to support you mission
• Manage ICS Roles - determine actions and permissions with the ICS structure
• Manage Resource Inventory - quickly view available materials, supplies, equipment, and teams
• Manage Facilities - quickly view critical infrastructure, schools, PODs, shelters, warehouse locations - their contacts, floor plans, and resource inventory
• Manage GIS - geospatially display and search for resource inventory, deployments, critical facility locations, incident locations, available skilled personnel
• Manage Status Boards - create your own status boards with easy to use controls, no programming required
• Manage Tasks - create, prioritize, and pre-assign to organizational and ICS roles
• Manage Notifications - create and pre-assign notifications based on incident type (notifications sent via emails and SMS text messaging with CPS)
• Manage Projects - create all hazards functional plans that include tasks, notifications, and resource requirements

Life or death decisions. Hundreds of pieces of data. No room for error.

Previstar CPS provides intelligent information and resource management to ensure the safety and effective operation of everyone involved in the response process.

• Integrated Message Center - connect all stakeholders, automated workflow converts incoming messages into tasks, resource requests, projects, or new incidents based on the message type
• Live Chat - conduct "virtual meetings" with your own chat room
• Simultaneous Incident Management
• Incident Command Setup - Create the incident Action Plan, utilize ICS Forms, incident briefing, unit Log, incident Status Summary
• Administrative Activities - manage organizations, personnel, press releases
• Actions - manage major events, project activations, tasks, incident related facilities
• Resource Management - manage resource needs, inventory, requests, deployments, costs
• GIS Mapping - create dynamic geospatial operating pictures of the incident, view interdependent relationships between incident, available resources, hazards and threats
• Status Boards - monitor the situation

Damage can be done in minutes. Recovery can take years. Manage and document all facets of the recovery process with Previstar CPS.

Previstar CPS provides intelligent information and resource management to address the key challenges of recovery and reimbursement.

• Manage Contractors - track contacts, invoices, and contract agreements
• Manage Project Worksheets - track status, reimbursement amounts, supporting audit documentation, potential project cost overruns
• Damage Assessments - automate windshield damage assessments, view reports
• Resource Cost Tracking - based on deployed or consumed equipment, materials, supplies, teams

CPS License Option

Software Requirements (Minimum)

• Windows Server 2003 w/ SP1
• SQL Server 2005 (Included with Previstar CPS software)
• SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services (Included with Previstar CPS software)
• .Net Framework 3.5
• Internet Information Server (IIS) v6.0

Server Hardware Specifications (Minimum)

• Requirements for the SQL Database
  1. 4 GB of RAM
  2. 20 GB of free hard drive space
  3. 1.2 GHz processor speed
• Requirements for the Web Portal
  1. 4 GB of RAM
  2. 20 GB of free hard drive space
  3. 1.2 GHz processor speed

Standard Server Requirements for SQL Database/Web Portal

• GB NIC
• DVD-ROM Drive
• Redundant Power Supply

System Requirements - User

• PC running Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher

Ports required from Previstar Version 5.X CPS web, database, and reporting services Components

• Previstar Version 5.X CPS Web Portal Required - Port 80 or 443 (SSL)
• Previstar Version 5.X CPS Database Required - TCP Port 1433
• (NOTE: If SQL Server is not the default instance the TCP port will be different)
• Previstar Version 5.X CPS Status boards Required - TCP Port 1433 (NOTE: If SQL Server is not the default instance the TCP port will be different)
• Previstar Version 5.X CPS GIS Client App Required - TCP Port 1433 (NOTE: If SQL Server is not the default instance the TCP port will be different)
• Previstar Version 5.X CPS SQL Server Reporting Services Component Required - TCP Port 80 and TCP Port 1433 (NOTE IF SQL Server is not the default instance the TCP Port will be different)

GIS Minimum Hardware Specifications (If using ESRI) - Minimum Requirements for the Desktops and Laptops

• CPU Speed: 1.6 GHz recommended or higher
• Processor: INtel Core Duo, Intel Pentium or Intel Xeon Processors
• Memory/RAM: 1 GB minimum, 2 GB recommended or higher
• Swap Space: Determined by the operating system, 500 MB minimum.
• .Net Framework 2.0
• Disk Space Requirements - 615 MB, up to 50 MB of disk space maybe needed in the Windows System directory (typically C:\Windows\System32)
• Previstar GIS Data Requirements
  1. GIS Files: ESRI shapefile from North America with any valid projection (.prj) and/or SDE 9.2 sp4
  2. Geocoding File: ESRI shapefile of type LINE from North America with any valid projection (.prj)
  3. Geocoding Fields (documented so we know how to match them):
     1. House From Left - Common Field Name: L_F_ADD
     2. House To Left - Common Field Name: L_T_ADD
     3. House From Right - Common Field Name: R_F_ADD
     4. House To Right - Common Field Name: R_T_ADD
     5. Prefix Direction - Common Field Name: PREDIR
     6. Prefix Type - Common Field Name: PRETYPE
     7. Street Name - Common Field Name: NAME
     8. Street Type - Common Field Name: SUFTYPE
     9. Suffix Direction - Common Field Name: SUFDIR
     10. Left Zone (City/Post Office) - Common Field Name: L_PC
     11. Right Zone (City/Post Office) - Common Field Name: R_PC
  4. Image Files: .bmp, .tif, .jpg, .gif
  5. Projected GIS Image Files (Ortho Photos): .sid
• General Annotations
  1. Older versions of ARCGIS Desktop software cannot be installed on any machine that is slated for client install
  2. Client machines running the GIS applications must set the monitor dpi to 96. (Desktop Properties > Settings tab > Advanced button > General tab > "Normal (96 dpi)" dropdown selection)
  3. We recommend that clients accessing the web application add the Previstar portal URL to the Trusted Sites list in Internet Explorer. (IE > Tools > Internet Options > Security tab > Trusted Sites > Sites button). This will ensure that all of the "client-side" logic (which utilizes JavaScript and a few AJAX controls) will function properly

GIS Minimum Hardware Specifications (If using Microsoft VE) - Minimum Requirements for the Desktops and Laptops

• PC running Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher

CPS Hosted Requirements

• PC running Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher

What's the difference between Previstar™ CPS and WebEOC?

Comprehensiveness. In addition to messaging and status boards provided by WebEOC and other incident management systems, CPS provides an entire suite of planning capabilities designed to unify planning and enhance the effectiveness of response.

Additionally, CPS provides workflow that allows users to seamlessly manage all incoming messages such as resource requests, inquiries, and request for action. This helps ensure no requested actions "slip through the cracks" or gets lost in large, scrolling message boards.

CPS provides recovery capabilities that provide support after the response is over and also modeling capabilities that forecast daily resource requirements. Finally, each system provides user defines status boards, however, CPS status boards can be build with standardized controls and do not need any additional programming efforts.

Does CPS have a hosted option?

Yes. CPS can be installed locally by your organization or hosted securely by Previstar. The hosted version is offered as a service and is provides flexibility in procurement options.

Is CPS operational after installation or does the system require a long database implementation effort?

CPS is operational almost immediately after install. Once users are added to the system, they can communicate using integrated messaging center, activate new incidents, manage tasks, view status boards, and make resource requests.

Are the CPS ICS forms automated, or are the static forms that I have to fill out ad-hoc?

Automated. ICS forms in CPS automatically update and exchange available data between each other and within the database. For example, resource requests and deployments automatically roll up into the appropriate ICS forms.

How else is CPS consistent with NIMS principals and guidelines?

FEMA's NIMS Supporting Technology Evaluation Program (NIMS STEP), an independent panel of test engineers and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), has determined that CPS is consistent with the concepts and principles of NIMS and:

• Supports all 15 Emergency Support Functions (ESF) as a Command and Control product
• Applies to all nine Incident Command functions, to a multi-discipline response, and to all hazards, including national political conventions and large sporting events

Click here to view the complete FEMA NIMS STEP report of CPS

Is Previstar CPS on GSA?

Yes. Click here to see more CPS GSA information.

Does CPS offer web-based GIS? What can I do with your GIS tool?

Yes. CPS offers you the option of using ESRI (client-based) or Microsoft Virtual Earth (web-based).

The CPS GIS offers significant functionality. View the locations of incidents and then easily search to find nearby resources and skilled personnel. View region and state wide asset inventory and deployment locations. Geocode your critical infrastructure and then "drill down" to view site plans and floor plans that can link to virtual images and CCTV.

• Licensed Model - Installed locally at client location
• Hosted Model - Hosted in a secure environment and offered as an annual service provided by Previstar
• CPS Essentials (Licensed or Hosted) - CPS Essentials is a limited license that offers all of CPS capabilities at a discounted price