Manitou's Disaster Mode is a feature that enables a Monitoring Center to change their alarm monitoring behavior in the event of an emergency situation. There are a number of reasons why an alarm Operation may need to enable Manitou's Disaster Mode.
- Increased Alarm Traffic – Severe weather events can trigger a surge in alarms due to power outages, flooding, high winds, and lightning strikes.
- Communication Disruptions and Extended Power Interruptions – Storms, accidents, and bad actors, can damage cell towers, internet infrastructure, and landlines, affecting monitored areas.
- Emergency Response Delays – First Responders may be overwhelmed or unable to reach affected areas, requiring alternative notification procedures for life safety alarms. The Katrina Hurricaine is an example of how an entire area was impacted such that First Responders could not individually manage every event.
- Regulatory Agency Requests – Some jurisdictions may notify the monitoring center of and requirements for responding to an emergent situation.
Each organization has specified Disaster procedures within their SOP. This should be the company's first point of reference on how to manage disaster situations.