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Item 2.
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| City Council Work Session | |
| Date: | 01/02/2024 |
| Title: | DES Emergency Management Update |
| Presented by: | Chris Kukulski, City Administrator |
| Department: | City Hall Administration |
| Presentation: | Yes |
| Legal Review: | Not Applicable |
| Project Number: | N/A |
RECOMMENDATION
Have the Council support and encourage Billings City Departments train on and utilize Everbridge to the fullest extent possible.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
Our previous platform, CodeRed, was poorly marketed and used only by DES to send emergency notifications. As a result, it was poorly supported by City/County Government and it was not utilized to its fullest capability. Lack of support, coupled with a lackluster participation rate from our public made the system less than efficient. The Emergency Management Advisory Council recommended a change. After evaluation and testing, Everbridge was chosen as a platform to replace CodeRed.
STAKEHOLDERS
City and County Government elected officials, City Administration, City Fire, City Police, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, City and County Public Works, Billings Airport, Billings Clinic, St. Vincent, AMR, Riverstone Health, and DES are all represented on the advisory group that made this decision.
ALTERNATIVES
At this time, there are no options, as we have already purchased Everbridge.
FISCAL EFFECTS
There are no new financial impacts to the City as CodeRed and Everbridge both cost approximately $30K.
SUMMARY
Everbridge has the ability to be used throughout our organization as a communication tool for both internal and external customers. The user interface is more intuitive and easier to use than CodeRed. It costs the same and offers a better communication tool if we use it properly and it is supported across the organization.