UIAT Documentation
Overview
The Utility Incident Awareness Tool (UIAT) is a specialized mapping solution designed for emergency response and incident management in utility networks. It provides real-time situational awareness, coordination tools, and decision support for managing utility incidents.
UIAT helps utility companies, emergency services, and local governments respond effectively to outages, infrastructure damage, and other utility-related emergencies.
Key Features
- Real-time incident mapping and tracking
- Field team coordination and dispatch
- Integration with utility network data
- Automated alerts and notifications
- Resource allocation and management
- Damage assessment tools
- Public information portal
- Historical incident analysis
Emergency Response Overview
UIAT is designed to support the entire emergency response lifecycle:
Preparation
- Pre-incident Planning: Create response plans and scenarios
- Resource Management: Inventory and position emergency resources
- Training: Simulate incidents for staff training
- Network Mapping: Maintain up-to-date utility infrastructure maps
- Vulnerability Assessment: Identify high-risk areas and assets
Detection & Notification
- Automated Monitoring: Integrate with SCADA and IoT sensors
- Public Reports: Capture and verify customer reports
- Alert Generation: Create and distribute incident alerts
- Initial Assessment: Classify incident severity and scope
- Escalation: Trigger appropriate response protocols
Response & Mitigation
- Incident Command: Establish and manage response structure
- Field Operations: Dispatch and coordinate response teams
- Situational Awareness: Maintain real-time common operating picture
- Resource Allocation: Assign and track personnel and equipment
- Public Communication: Provide updates to affected communities
Recovery & Analysis
- Damage Assessment: Document and quantify infrastructure damage
- Restoration Tracking: Monitor repair progress and service restoration
- After-Action Review: Analyze response effectiveness
- Historical Analysis: Identify patterns and improvement opportunities
- Reporting: Generate comprehensive incident reports
Deployment Guide
UIAT can be deployed in various configurations to meet your organization's needs:
System Requirements
Server Requirements
- Windows Server 2019/2022 or Linux
- 8+ CPU cores
- 16GB RAM minimum
- 100GB SSD storage
- PostgreSQL with PostGIS
- 1Gbps network connection
Client Requirements
- Modern web browser
- 4GB RAM minimum
- Stable internet connection
- Mobile: iOS 14+ or Android 8+
- Tablets recommended for field use
Deployment Options
- Cloud Hosted: Fully managed SaaS solution with high availability and automatic scaling
- On-Premises: Deploy within your organization's infrastructure for maximum control and security
- Hybrid: Combine on-premises core components with cloud-based services for optimal flexibility
- Mobile Command Center: Deployable solution for field operations with limited connectivity
Installation Process
For on-premises deployments:
- Prepare server infrastructure according to requirements
- Install and configure PostgreSQL with PostGIS extension
- Deploy UIAT server components using the installation package
- Configure network settings and security
- Set up user authentication and access control
- Import utility network data and base maps
- Configure integration with existing systems
- Deploy and test mobile applications
- Conduct system validation and acceptance testing
For cloud deployments, our team will handle the technical setup and provide access credentials.
Deployment Considerations
- Security: Implement appropriate access controls and data protection
- Connectivity: Ensure reliable network access for all components
- Redundancy: Plan for backup systems and failover capabilities
- Scalability: Size the deployment for peak incident management needs
- Integration: Connect with existing utility management systems
- Training: Prepare staff for system use before incidents occur
Real-time Monitoring
UIAT provides comprehensive real-time monitoring capabilities:
Incident Dashboard
The main dashboard provides an overview of all active incidents:
- Incident Map: Geographic display of all incidents
- Incident List: Tabular view with key details and status
- Summary Statistics: Total incidents, affected customers, etc.
- Resource Status: Available and deployed response resources
- Timeline: Recent activity and upcoming scheduled actions
- Alerts: Critical notifications requiring attention
Data Integration
UIAT can integrate with various data sources:
- SCADA Systems: Real-time operational data from utility networks
- IoT Sensors: Environmental and infrastructure monitoring
- Weather Services: Current conditions and forecasts
- Customer Reports: Outage reports and service requests
- Social Media: Public mentions of incidents and conditions
- Traffic Systems: Road closures and transportation impacts
- Emergency Services: Police, fire, and EMS activity
Visualization Tools
- Thematic Maps: Color-coded incident severity and status
- Heat Maps: Density of reports and affected areas
- Network Diagrams: Utility infrastructure with status indicators
- Time-Series Charts: Incident trends and response metrics
- 3D Visualization: Terrain and infrastructure in three dimensions
- Augmented Reality: Field view with data overlay (mobile app)
Monitoring Workflows
- Set up monitoring parameters and alert thresholds
- Configure data refresh rates for different sources
- Create custom views for specific roles or incident types
- Establish watch areas for priority monitoring
- Schedule automated reports and status updates
- Configure notification rules and recipients
Field Operations
UIAT provides powerful tools for field teams responding to incidents:
Mobile Application
The UIAT mobile app enables field personnel to:
- View Assignments: See assigned incidents and tasks
- Navigate: Get directions to incident locations
- Update Status: Report progress and conditions
- Collect Data: Document damage with photos and notes
- Access Information: View utility network details
- Communicate: Message other team members
- Work Offline: Continue operations with limited connectivity
Field Data Collection
Field teams can collect various types of data:
- Damage Reports: Document infrastructure damage with photos and descriptions
- Safety Hazards: Mark dangerous conditions for immediate attention
- Resource Needs: Request additional personnel or equipment
- Repair Status: Update progress on restoration efforts
- Environmental Conditions: Record weather and site conditions
- Customer Impacts: Document affected services and properties
Dispatch and Coordination
Incident commanders can manage field resources:
- Team Assignment: Assign personnel to specific incidents or areas
- Task Management: Create and prioritize work orders
- Resource Tracking: Monitor location and status of field teams
- Shift Planning: Schedule personnel for extended operations
- Equipment Allocation: Assign and track specialized equipment
- Mutual Aid Coordination: Integrate external assistance teams
Integration Capabilities
UIAT can integrate with various systems to enhance incident management:
Supported Integrations
- SCADA Systems: Real-time operational data from utility networks
- GIS Platforms: Esri ArcGIS, QGIS, and other spatial data systems
- Asset Management: Maximo, SAP, and other enterprise systems
- Weather Services: NOAA, AccuWeather, and other forecast providers
- Emergency Management: WebEOC, E-SPONDER, and similar platforms
- Notification Systems: Mass notification and alert platforms
- Customer Information: CIS and CRM systems
- Work Order Management: Field service management systems
Integration Methods
- REST APIs: Comprehensive API for data exchange
- Web Services: SOAP and other web service protocols
- Data Connectors: Pre-built connectors for common systems
- File Exchange: Automated import/export of standard formats
- Database Links: Direct database connections where appropriate
- Message Queues: Event-driven integration via message brokers
Common Integration Scenarios
- Outage Management: Integrate with OMS to correlate outages with infrastructure
- Customer Communication: Connect to notification systems for public updates
- Work Order Management: Generate and track repair work orders
- Regulatory Reporting: Export incident data for compliance reporting
- Emergency Operations: Share data with EOC systems during major events
Administration
UIAT provides comprehensive administration tools:
User Management
- User Accounts: Create and manage user profiles
- Role-Based Access: Assign permissions based on job functions
- Team Management: Organize users into operational teams
- Authentication: SAML, OAuth, and Active Directory integration
- Audit Logging: Track user actions for accountability
System Configuration
- Incident Types: Define custom incident categories
- Status Workflows: Configure incident lifecycle stages
- Notification Rules: Set up automated alerts
- Form Templates: Create custom data collection forms
- Report Templates: Design standard reports
- Map Layers: Configure base maps and operational layers
Data Management
- Data Import: Load utility network and infrastructure data
- Data Export: Extract incident data for analysis
- Archiving: Manage historical incident records
- Backup: Configure automated system backups
- Data Validation: Ensure data quality and integrity
System Monitoring
- Performance Metrics: Monitor system health and performance
- Usage Statistics: Track system utilization
- Error Logging: Capture and report system issues
- Capacity Planning: Identify resource needs
- Security Monitoring: Detect unauthorized access attempts
Support and Resources
Technical Support
Canopy Mapping provides comprehensive support for UIAT:
- 24/7 Emergency Support: Available for critical incidents
- Standard Support: Business hours assistance for routine issues
- Email Support: support@canopymapping.com
- Phone Support: 1-888-555-UIAT
- Support Portal: https://support.canopymapping.com
Training Resources
- Online Training: Self-paced courses and tutorials
- Instructor-Led Training: Virtual and on-site options
- Training Videos: Step-by-step guides for common tasks
- User Guides: Comprehensive documentation
- Quick Reference Cards: At-a-glance instructions
Community Resources
- User Forum: Connect with other UIAT users
- Knowledge Base: Search for solutions to common issues
- Webinars: Regular online sessions on best practices
- User Group Meetings: Regional and virtual gatherings
- Case Studies: Learn from successful implementations
Professional Services
- Implementation Services: Expert assistance with deployment
- Custom Development: Tailored solutions for specific needs
- Data Migration: Help moving from legacy systems
- Integration Services: Connect UIAT with other systems
- Consulting: Strategic guidance on emergency management