--- title: Dispatch through Disasters with Alternative CAD Solutions description: Adopting an alternative Computer Aided Dispatch solution better positions First Responder agencies to stay in communication when disasters strike. image: https://www.govdirect.com/hubfs/The%20Cost%20of%20a%20Data%20Breach.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://www.govdirect.com/blog/dispatch-technology-to-weather-any-storm#main-content) # Dispatch through Disasters with Alternative CAD Solutions ![Hand typing on a keyboard](https://www.govdirect.com/hubfs/The%20Cost%20of%20a%20Data%20Breach.jpg) It is unsustainable to keep up with dispatch requirements using a pen and paper to manually complete forms when computer systems fail for thirty minutes or longer during a snow-storm, flash-flood, or an unforeseen disaster such as a cyber-attack.   Disaster Recovery is one of the most important factors of any Public Safety technology deployment.  Evolving threats and heightened expectations require a proactive stance on being prepared to effectively communicate through potentially life-threatening situations if a computer aided dispatch system goes down unexpectedly.  Nashville Metro 911 is now using Mark43 as a backup solution for a real-time, cloud native Computer Aided Dispatch program to ensure systems are running even if their primary CAD becomes unavailable, even in a circumstance like the unfortunate [2021 Christmas Bombing incident](https://www.tennessean.com/in-depth/news/local/2021/01/10/timeline-christmas-morning-bombing-nashville/6578915002/).    Mark43 is a mobile, tactical CAD application that can be used by the Field Incident Response Support Team (FIRST) to conduct incidental dispatch duties from off-site environments.  The addition of Mark43 to the tech stack ensures that a team of trained public safety communications professionals have a versatile CAD platform and can provide crucial communications and response support in any environment, equipped only with a laptop and internet connection.  Being prepared to respond to unfortunate events with a reliable CAD system shows an added level of commitment to the community.  Here are three things to consider before adopting a secondary CAD solution: - Think of any natural and manmade risks to your network and systems.   How would you operate if an incident caused you to lose connectivity to your CAD system?  - What is the cost associated with the lost time and billing when emergency personnel are forced to work with pen and paper or wait for network connectivity to resume?   - Alternate CAD is critical in the case of cyber events.  Cyberattacks in Suffolk County, NY and Butler County, OH took a combined half-million dollars to recover from after factoring in the costs of new equipment and employee overtime.   *Contact GovDirect to discuss your CAD strategy and other aspects of your technology disaster recovery plan. *   February 08, 2023 [Disaster Recovery](https://www.govdirect.com/blog/tag/disaster-recovery) [Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery](https://www.govdirect.com/blog/tag/business-continuity-and-disaster-recovery-it-solut) [Cloud Platforms](https://www.govdirect.com/blog/tag/cloud-platforms) ## Leave a Comment ## Related Posts ### [February 07, 2017 GovDirect now an Exclusive Distributor of Zone Defense](https://www.govdirect.com/blog/distributor-of-zone-defense) ### [February 23, 2017 Take Advantage Now – Extreme Discounts on Panasonic Toughbook Bundles](https://www.govdirect.com/blog/take-advantage-now-extreme-discounts-on-panasonic-toughbook-bundles) ### [May 19, 2017 Tech News and Updates- the CF-33 is finally here!](https://www.govdirect.com/blog/tech-news-and-updates-the-cf-33-is-finally-here) ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=6211393&fmt=gif)