Emergency Software Development: Lessons from EMISARI
On August 15, 1971, President Nixon introduced a temporary wage and price freeze during a turbulent economic period. The Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) was tasked with implementing this initiative and developed a pioneering software named EMISARI to facilitate communication and coordination among federal employees. EMISARI utilized the early time-sharing technologies and BASIC language to provide chat, forum, and email functions alongside a robust data collection and reporting workflow. This software not only served federal purposes effectively but also serves as a historical reference for modern-day software strategies and emergency response plans.
The OEP had a broad scope that included preparing for hurricanes, droughts, strikes, and civil defense measures. A unique tool in their emergency planning arsenal was the Delphi method, which supported structured group communication to gain clarity on complex issues. This technique involved iterative questionnaires helping the participants to converge on mutual understandings and shared terminology. Unlike less structured modern discussions found online, the Delphi process was designed to limit dominance by stronger voices, thus creating a more level discussion environment and fair outcomes.
The System Evaluation Division (SED) was pivotal in exploring emergency management technologies and engaged in Delphi studies. Key figure Murray Turoff experimented with early computer conferencing, leading to the groundwork for EMISARI. Despite being initially unnoticed, Turoff's pioneering efforts demonstrated the value of digital communication in crisis management. These historical insights not only shed light on the evolution of emergency software but also hold valuable lessons for contemporary startups and tech innovations aiming to improve communication and crisis response protocols.
What was EMISARI and how was it used?
EMISARI was an early emergency management software developed to facilitate internal communications among federal employees during a period of economic crisis. It leveraged time-sharing technology and enabled functionalities akin to chat, forums, and email.
How does the Delphi method differ from modern online discussions?
The Delphi method uses structured communication to prevent domination in discussions, incorporates anonymity to ensure fair contributions, and focuses on reaching consensus, while modern online discussions can often lack such controls.
What role did Murray Turoff play in the development of EMISARI?
Murray Turoff was a key designer for EMISARI, having conducted experiments with early computer conferencing that laid the groundwork for its functionalities.
How can Metaistic help with software development for emergency management?
Metaistic can assist organizations in developing tailored software solutions for emergency management by leveraging its expertise in modern technologies to create robust, user-friendly applications that facilitate communication, coordination, and data analysis.
