Provincial Government
Protects Citizens

TELUS and the Alberta government work together to protect Albertans from disaster

Security and emergency management are important considerations for all levels of government. Taxpayers expect their governments to provide security and as much protection as possible from all forms of emergencies, including natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and tornadoes, and man-made situations such as chemical spills and terrorist attacks.

It's crucial for governments to react quickly and decisively in an emergency - and communicating with the public is essential to success. That's why the Alberta government has invested in an Emergency Management System that connects their Emergency Operations Centre to community leaders, critical infrastructure and emergency response personnel throughout the province.

Alberta government makes quick emergency calls

The Alberta Emergency Notification System (ENS) was created by TELUS to help emergency response agencies increase their preparedness and security measures in time to save lives and protect critical infrastructure. It is also part of the Alberta Counter-Terrorism Crisis Management Program.

"The specifications we gave to TELUS when we started this process were that we wanted to be able to make 1,700 notifications to different groups in government and industry.. "TELUS met our requirements..."

Dave Redman
Director - Crisis Management Programs
Emergency Management Alberta

The system comprises a secure database of emergency contacts, a mapping system and an interactive voice response system. Together, they enable Emergency Management Alberta to quickly select personnel by geographical area, and to send both voice and hard-copy information relating to an emergency. Using TELUS Geomatics and an Integrated Voice Response System, connected to Alberta's critical infrastructure database, the system presents more than 300 layers of information, including roads, railways, oil wells and residential housing.

In addition to immediate notification, the Alberta government uses the TELUS mapping system to share real-time information with all Alberta municipalities and First Nations communities, including current weather conditions, transportation infrastructure layouts and response agency information. As a result, users have the tools they need to quickly specify the exact location of the disaster, define the areas affected and quickly alert first responders. Decisions can be made in minutes rather than hours, giving emergency personnel more time to reach or react to an affected area.

This immediate access to information and notification will help save lives, property and resources. TELUS' state-of-the art system has been reviewed and acclaimed by governments and security agencies from across Canada and the United States.

"Part of the Alberta Counter-Terrorism Crisis Management Plan includes making sure that the hazard can't reach Albertans or their property.."If we ever reach the security level whereby we want to contact the public, we have to ensure that we can do this in a timely fashion. TELUS Geomatics has a solution that works. When you are dealing with major emergencies and disasters, you certainly don't want to take any chances that the technology will fail."

Dave Redman
Director - Crisis Management Programs
Emergency Management Alberta