Emergencies like fires and floods are often confusing times. They usually occur in areas that do not have Internet access or digital capabilities. Because of that, records of who is where and what equipment is in use are pertinent — and kept on paper.
"Legislation and audit findings directed DHS/FEMA to modernize the security methods utilized to access FEMA systems and applications, especially those that process financial information, personal identity information, or support a mission essential function," Cal OES CIO Carla Simmons wrote to Techwire, referring to the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. "The end goal is a simple and secure way to access FEMA systems."
Knowing that, California's Office of Emergency Services was faced with the challenge of working out a single-sign-on system that accessed records and buildings.
"Cal OES is participating as a partner in the beta testing of FEMA PIV-I (Cyber Identity Smart Cards) cards for access to FEMA application systems as well as accessing Physical Access Control Systems both at Cal OES locations and FEMA Federal locations," Simmons wrote. "Cal OES is in the process of implementing the PIV-I identity system for all access to the Cal OES Enterprise network."
The access cards could serve as keys to buildings with other departments in the future.
"The integration of the Physical Access Control Systems (PACS) allows both FEMA and Cal OES to have staff from both organizations coordinate access to federal and state locations through card readers," Simmons wrote. "This integration has been successfully demonstrated with CalOES staff that have been issued Cal OES PIV-I cards."
Tracking resources is a crucial part of both Cal OES' and FEMA's work.
"Under current development, SLTT (state, local, tribal, and territorial) partners and FEMA are working on a system that tracks deployed resources at emergency locations such as field offices through use of an Emergency Response Repository," Simmons wrote. "In coordination common attributes are being developed for emergency worker qualification in the future to standardize qualifications nationwide."
Being analog doesn't require a wired connection and it can never fail, but it can also be unwieldy and doesn't allow multiple people to access records across a large space.
"As we implement this system, we would be able to federate with FEMA systems through the Federal bridge and be able to fully coordinate with FEMA in an emergency," Simmons wrote.
