Events with adverse outcomes now pose significant risks and costs to utility operations. The range of potential threats is wide and includes hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, floods, extreme weather, chemical spills, and civil unrest.
Demographic shifts are compounding the problem. More people now live in high-risk areas that are vulnerable to these hazards. At the same time, the costs of recovery and repair have risen sharply, making incident response more expensive than ever. For many utilities, infrequent activations of Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) are a thing of the past. The rising frequency and severity of events now require utilities to operate continuous emergency management programs.
Many utilities still rely on outdated, manual emergency management processes. These systems are often inconsistent and inefficient, limiting an organization’s ability to respond quickly and effectively.
The need for digital transformation in utility emergency management has never been clearer. Modernizing these systems can significantly enhance preparedness, improve coordination, and reduce both risk and response costs. The industry is overdue for a digital-first approach.
