Bridging the Gap Episode 16: The Evolution and Capabilities of Previstar®: A Journey Through Time

In this episode of “Bridging the Gap,” Adam Montella, COO, along with Mark Amann, CPO, and Himadri Banerjee, CTO, delve into the fascinating history and capabilities of Previstar®, a software that has played a pivotal role in emergency and incident management for over two decades.

A Journey Through Time

Adam Montella’s journey with Previstar began 20 years ago when he was one of the original customers of its precursor, RamSafe. Developed at Oak Ridge National Labs by Himadri Banerjee and his team, RamSafe was an innovative software that transformed a static spreadsheet predicting morbidity, mortality, and resource needs for chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction into a dynamic tool.

From RamSafe to Previstar

The software’s evolution continued as it was used in various real-world scenarios, including managing resources during the 2004 hurricane season in Florida and the response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. These experiences helped shape Previstar into a comprehensive emergency management tool.

Capabilities of Previstar

Previstar is a whole lifecycle emergency and incident management software with various modules designed to aid in planning, response, and recovery. The software includes modules for planning, organizing around FEMA’s CPG 101, managing the tracking and deployment of resources, and handling costs associated with incidents. It also features an exercise module and a robust Geographic Information System (GIS) interface, making it accessible even for smaller jurisdictions without a GIS specialist.

Technological Advancements

Himadri highlights the technological advancements integrated into Previstar, including the use of AI and machine learning. These technologies enable the software to predict resource needs with high accuracy and assist in planning and response efforts. The integration of large language models like OpenAI and Meta’s Llama further enhances the software’s capabilities, making it a powerful tool for emergency management.

A Product Built by Practitioners for Practitioners

One of the unique aspects of Previstar is that it was built by emergency managers for emergency managers. Himadri’s firsthand experience in the field, combined with his expertise in technology, has resulted in a product that truly understands and meets the needs of its users.

Looking Ahead

With SummitET’s acquisition of Previstar, the software is set to continue its evolution and enhancement. The combination of Previstar’s dynamic technology and SummitET’s subject matter expertise promises to deliver even better solutions for emergency management in the future.

Previstar’s rich history and advanced capabilities make it a standout tool in the field of emergency management. Its journey from RamSafe to a comprehensive incident management tool is a testament to the dedication and expertise of its team. As technology continues to advance, Previstar is poised to remain at the forefront of emergency management solutions.

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Meet the Experts Featured in This Podcast

Himadri Banerjee

Chief Technology Officer; Developer of Previstar CPS; Incident Management Tech SME

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Adam Montella

Chief Operations Officer; Disaster Management SME

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Mark Amann

Chief Products Officer; Emergency Management SME

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