Natural disasters—whether wildfires, earthquakes, or severe storms—pose a unique and urgent threat to society’s most vulnerable populations. For state agencies, the imperative to protect the elderly, people with disabilities, and those in long-term care is not just a matter of logistics, but of life and death. The traditional, manual systems that once underpinned emergency response are no longer sufficient in a world where crises can escalate in minutes and the needs of at-risk groups are more complex than ever. Today, digital transformation is redefining what’s possible in emergency response management, enabling agencies to deliver safety, care, and continuity at unprecedented speed and scale.
Historically, emergency response for vulnerable populations relied on paper maps, binders of spreadsheets, and the institutional knowledge of a few dedicated individuals. In Oregon, for example, a single employee was responsible for coordinating disaster relief for tens of thousands of residents across thousands of facilities—an approach fraught with risk. Manual processes created single points of failure, delayed response times, and left too much to chance during chaotic, high-pressure events. The stakes were clear: any lapse in coordination could mean critical delays in evacuating nursing home residents or ensuring continuity of care for those dependent on in-home support.
Recognizing the need for a future-proof solution, the Oregon Department of Human Services partnered with Publicis Sapient to reimagine emergency response management. The goal was to move from analog to automated, consolidating disparate workflows into a single, cloud-based platform that could support the full complexity of statewide emergency operations.
The new Emergency Response Management solution digitized every aspect of the process:
The impact of this transformation has been profound. In Oregon, the new digital platform now supports emergency response for 67,000 patients across 2,100 facilities, as well as 20,000 in-home care recipients. During recent emergencies, the system enabled the safe evacuation of residents and staff, with every incident tracked and triaged digitally. Responders have real-time visibility into who needs help, where they are, and what resources are available—allowing them to act faster and more effectively than ever before.
Perhaps most importantly, the system has removed the burden from individual staff members, ensuring that institutional knowledge is captured and accessible to all. This not only improves operational resilience but also gives peace of mind to families and caregivers, knowing that their loved ones are protected by a robust, data-driven safety net.
Digitizing emergency response management delivers benefits far beyond operational efficiency. For vulnerable populations, it means:
For state agencies, the shift to digital platforms means they can do more with less—processing more cases, coordinating more partners, and responding to more complex crises without being overwhelmed. The Oregon case demonstrates that with the right technology, it’s possible to modernize emergency management in a way that is both people-first and future-ready.
As natural disasters become more frequent and severe, the need for agile, data-driven emergency response will only grow. The Oregon Department of Human Services’ journey from paper-based chaos to digital clarity offers a blueprint for other states and agencies. By embracing integrated, cloud-based solutions, public sector leaders can ensure that their most vulnerable citizens are never left behind—no matter what challenges the future holds.
At Publicis Sapient, we are committed to helping government agencies harness the power of digital transformation to protect, empower, and serve their communities. The future of emergency response is here—and it’s digital, connected, and centered on the people who need it most.