Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does SpotOnResponse do?
SpotOnResponse is a mobile app and web platform that gives every organization in your community the ability to report its status, needs, capabilities, and offers to help others — all visible on a shared map in real time. It turns a chaotic situation into a coordinated one by showing what’s happening, where, and who’s available to assist. Unlike traditional emergency management systems that focus on official responders, SpotOnResponse includes businesses, nonprofits, and civic groups as active participants in disaster recovery.
From After FEMA: The Community Recovery Playbook:
“SpotOnResponse creates a living map of recovery — not just government operations, but the status and actions of the entire community.”
What do I see on the SpotOnResponse map?
You see the location of every partner organization as well as locations that partner organizations have added (like their suppliers or a warehouse across the street that stores chemicals). You see each organization's reported closure or disruption, everyone that has listed a need (e.g., fuel, volunteers, supplies) or offered help to others. Each entry is color-coded or an icon and can be clicked to view details. You also see the location of all the partner users who are currently online. So you really do see a map of partners currently involved and where they are and their relationship to each other. There are also about a dozen government sources of data that you can overlay including snow and ice cover on the ground, hazardous weather, lightning, watches and warnings, and others. You also see normal map features like traffic and other community buildings, parks, roads, etc. that you would expect on any map.
How do I know the information in SpotOnResponse is accurate?
Information comes directly from the organizations themselves, typically within minutes of a change in status. Unlike public social media, where reliability is questionable, SpotOnResponse users are verified participants — businesses, nonprofits, government offices — sharing updates in their official role. This trusted network model allows each participant to evaluate credibility based on known relationships and responsibilities.
From Whole Community Cavalry Messaging:
“SpotOnResponse builds trust not from technology alone, but from knowing who’s posting, where they are, and what role they play.”
Can SpotOnResponse help during non-disaster events like public health alerts, extreme heat, or large-scale outages?
Yes. SpotOnResponse is built for any situation where local coordination is needed. Communities have used it during heatwaves to check cooling center availability, during utility outages to track which businesses had power or fuel, and during public health events to monitor service disruptions. It’s a flexible network that activates whenever coordination matters — not just during federally declared disasters.
How fast can a new user learn to use SpotOnResponse?
Most users can be up and running in under 10 minutes. The interface is designed for non-technical users, with simple icons, map pins, and guided data entry. Organizations typically begin by posting a simple Business Status report — whether open, closed, or disrupted — and then expand into needs, offers, or coordination as events unfold.
What if we only use SpotOnResponse once or twice a year?
Even if disasters are rare, SpotOnResponse provides year-round readiness. Communities use it for micro-exercises, daily check-ins, or even community announcements to maintain engagement. By keeping the system active and familiar, users are prepared to act immediately when a real emergency happens — no cold starts, no login confusion, no re-training needed.
From the Implementation Plan:
“An active digital twin doesn’t wait for disaster — it’s part of your daily resilience.”
Can I use SpotOnResponse to prepare for a planned event, like a parade or festival?
Yes — and many do. SpotOnResponse is useful for situational awareness during any large-scale local activity. Event organizers, public safety teams, businesses, and volunteers can share updates, report needs (like parking or medical stations), and coordinate in real time. It’s a great way to test the system while supporting civic life.
Does SpotOnResponse replace the Emergency Operations Center (EOC)?
Not at all. SpotOnResponse is a companion to the EOC, not a replacement. It gives the EOC access to real-time, field-generated data from across the community — including businesses and nonprofits they wouldn’t otherwise hear from. It reduces the burden on the EOC by solving small problems outside formal channels, and it improves decision-making by expanding visibility beyond government-only systems.
From the whiteboard explainer video:
“This doesn’t challenge the command center. It improves it.”
How is SpotOnResponse different from alerting or notification systems?
SpotOnResponse isn’t about sending alerts to the public. It’s about gathering real-time operational intelligence from organizations and making it visible to their peers and partners. Instead of a top-down broadcast, it’s a bottom-up network of shared awareness. SpotOnResponse does communicate through Announcements to provide all users the same information at the same time. That means recovery doesn’t depend on waiting for an official message — it begins when organizations report what they see, what they need, and how they can help.
Note: SpotOnResponse complements systems like Everbridge or Alert Media by filling the coordination gap, not duplicating alert functions.
We already use Slack, WhatsApp, or Teams — why add SpotOnResponse?
SpotOnResponse isn’t a chat tool. It gives you structured, shareable situational intelligence that’s tied to a location and visible on a shared map. While messaging apps are great for internal discussion, SpotOnResponse provides community-level coordination across organizations — something those tools weren’t built for.
Does SpotOnResponse work with ArcGIS or WebEOC?
Both. SpotOnResponse presents a live feed of GeoJSON formatted data that can be consumed by both ArcGIS and WebEOC to use directly in those applications. The SpotOnResponse API is very flexible and can restrict and reformat data in just about any way that ArcGIS or WebEOC administrators desire.
Can we control who sees our data?
Yes. SpotOnResponse includes sharing controls so you can decide which data is shared to others (always only authorized others who have access to the API, never the public directly) and which are visible only to designated partners (e.g., local government or specific agencies) inside your community SpotOnResponse network. Most status and needs reports are shared widely to promote visibility and assistance, but sensitive updates can be kept private if necessary.
Who uses SpotOnResponse inside an organization?
Any staff member responsible for operations, safety, logistics, facilities, or outreach can use SpotOnResponse — typically with just a 5-minute orientation. There’s no complex setup or training program. Most organizations designate one or two people to post reports, while others monitor the shared map to stay situationally aware. The platform is built to support quick updates under stress, whether during a storm, outage, or community-wide emergency.
Can individuals use SpotOnResponse, or is it just for organizations?
SpotOnResponse Business-Community Partnership is designed primarily for organizations to share among themselves and government. If an organization wants the features of SpotOnResponse to help manage their business continuity, they can add on to the partnership so that their individuals employees can use the Check-In feature to let management know they’re present and available. This is especially useful for volunteers, field workers, utility crews, or community coordinators. Plus, there are many features in SpotOnResponse that businesses might consider to improve their own operations.
What if my organization doesn’t have anything urgent to report — should we still participate?
Absolutely. Even a simple post like “Open, no needs” helps others understand the bigger picture. When organizations report status regularly, the community gains a reliable baseline. That’s what makes SpotOnResponse so powerful — it’s not just the problems that matter, it’s knowing who is operational, stable, and available to help.
How does that Business-Government Partnership work?
A local business, nonprofit, government, or civic group sponsors SpotOnResponse for the community. They purchase the subscription directly from SpotOnResponse paid by most popular credit cards and PayPal. The subscriber provides the name of the administrator with whom all operational discussions take place. The subscription unlocks 100 user licenses that are distributed by the administrator, usually the local emergency coordinator, across local government, businesses, community associations, schools, and any other partner. The administrator then gives registration information to any individual or organization they choose.
What do you get for $1,000/year?
✔️ SpotOnResponse licenses for up to 100 local users
✔️ Full access to a secure, scalable, proven Software as a Service (SaaS) cloud platform
✔️ Tools for planning, response, communication, and recovery
✔️ Mobile apps downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play
✔️ Web browser application includes many but not all features of the mobile app
Is this a stripped-down app?
This is a platform purpose-built for public safety, offered at a price that reflects the mission — not the profit margin.
SpotOnResponse is not a freemium tool. Something with a bunch of "in app" purchases. No.
It’s a secure, cloud-based platform designed specifically for community-scale emergency coordination — with real-time planning, personnel and vehicle tracking, communications, mobile drills, and recovery tools built-in.
Is the pricing a gimmick that I will pay for later?
Pricing is part of a deliberate partnership strategy to accelerate adoption. Widespread distribution throughout the Whole Community is essential to change the face of emergency management. This isn’t about profit. It’s about making the After FEMA Community Recovery Playbook possible, fast.
You get everything that commercial customers have paid 3-5X the amount. If you can put the app into the hands of the Whole Community you will fill the gap left by FEMA and we will all be safer. That is worth it to us. And should be to you, too.
What role does local government play in a SpotOnResponse recovery community?
Local government acts as the convener and connector. You’re not required to manage every detail — instead, you help invite organizations to join and use the platform to coordinate among themselves. SpotOnResponse extends the reach of the EOC by turning businesses, nonprofits, and service providers into real-time informants and responders — easing the load on official systems without undermining them.
How can SpotOnResponse improve our situational awareness during an emergency?
Instead of relying solely on phone calls, status dashboards, or social media, SpotOnResponse gives you a map view of operational conditions across the whole community. You see which facilities are open, who’s reporting unmet needs, what services are being offered, and where activity is concentrated — in real time. It’s a ground truth network that includes voices government rarely hears in time.
Will using SpotOnResponse interfere with ICS, WebEOC, or other official systems?
No. SpotOnResponse operates in parallel to government systems. It doesn’t interfere with ICS structure, and it’s not a substitute for WebEOC or 911. Instead, it provides a shared layer of visibility that can help feed better intel into those systems. Think of it as community-side intelligence — a tool for gathering, not commanding.
From After FEMA: “Recovery doesn’t wait for the official chain of command — it grows from the ground up.”
Why should my business use SpotOnResponse if I already have internal continuity plans?
Internal plans are essential — but they don’t tell you what’s happening outside your walls. SpotOnResponse shows you which suppliers, utilities, or customer-facing services are functioning. It also lets you broadcast your own status and needs, which can attract support or drive faster reopening. It’s a network multiplier for the continuity work you’ve already done.
What kind of things would my business post in SpotOnResponse?
Businesses typically post:
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Status (open, closed, reduced hours)
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Immediate needs (fuel, power, internet, deliveries)
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Capabilities (generators, warehousing, manpower)
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Offers to help (donating food, assisting neighbors, temporary workspace)
These updates go directly on the shared map so other organizations — including emergency managers — can coordinate without back-and-forth calls.
What’s the benefit to my bottom line?
:
Faster recovery equals faster revenue. SpotOnResponse helps you avoid downtime by:
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Seeing which partners are operational
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Avoiding supply chain surprises
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Gaining early access to assistance
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Helping others who may help you in return
Plus, it strengthens your brand as a community contributor, not just a disaster victim.
What kinds of nonprofits or civic groups should use SpotOnResponse?
SpotOnResponse is ideal for:
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Food pantries, shelters, clinics
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Faith-based organizations
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Volunteer coordination groups
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Mental health, crisis, or 211 centers
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Local community associations or mutual aid groups
If your organization provides services, coordinates people, or serves vulnerable populations — SpotOnResponse helps you plug into the wider recovery network.
How does using SpotOnResponse help us serve better during a disaster?
It reduces isolation. You’re no longer waiting for someone to “loop you in” — you’re already visible. You can share your needs and offers with other groups, see who’s open or struggling, and respond quickly. SpotOnResponse turns you from a passive responder into an active, mapped participant in the community's response.
What’s the benefit of doing micro-exercises or weekly check-ins?
Micro-exercises and regular check-ins build muscle memory. They make the app familiar, keep user accounts active, and help identify gaps before a crisis. Communities that run quick drills — like posting during a simulated outage — are measurably faster at responding when real disruptions occur. It also gives organizations a reason to stay engaged, even between disasters.
Do we have to be on duty 24/7 to participate?
Not at all. Most community organizations post once per day or when something changes. SpotOnResponse is a lightweight coordination tool, not a full-time communications channel. You can set up notifications or simply log in when you need to understand the local status picture.
What if I don’t want to be responsible for “managing” SpotOnResponse for my organization?
You don’t have to be. Most organizations start with one person who posts basic updates, then add a backup or rotate the role. You’re not expected to monitor 24/7 or respond to every post. Think of it like checking the weather or updating your hours online — it’s part of staying visible and connected, not a full-time job.
How is SpotOnResponse technically different from a dashboard or shared drive?
SpotOnResponse is map-first, mobile-native, and live-updating. It’s not a static dashboard or shared file. Each report is tied to a location, timestamped, and immediately visible to others. Plus, users don’t need to build or customize anything — the forms and functions are built around emergency coordination, ready out of the box.
What kinds of reports or data types are supported?
At the beginning of any deployment, the basic data collection and distribution formats include:
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Business Status: basic operational condition plus needs/offers
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SpotReports: for events, updates, photos, or alerts
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Check-Ins: for individual presence/location updates
All entries are automatically geo-tagged and time-stamped, and can be searched, filtered, or exported as needed.
In addition, as a project gains confidence, SpotOnResponse supports more than two dozen different types of data through templates previously created by users that are available for reuse. Additional forms can be added for custom use cases.
What’s the infrastructure required to run SpotOnResponse?
SpotOnResponse is entirely cloud-based. There’s no server to install, no software to maintain, and no IT configuration needed. Organizations can use it via any modern web browser or by downloading the mobile app on iOS or Android. It runs on standard data service — if you can get email, you can use SOR.
What do we do after we subscribe to SpotOnResponse to stand up the first organization users?
Here’s your simple To Do List for getting up and running fast with SpotOnResponse:
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Designate a Local Coordinator
Pick someone to serve as the main point of contact for onboarding and light troubleshooting (often someone in emergency management, public safety, or local leadership). -
Send emails of up to 100 organizations to the SpotOnResponse team
Aim for a mix of business, nonprofit, and government users. Prioritize those who are active in recovery, logistics, or public service. You could coordinate obtaining these organizations through a Chamber of Commerce or Main Street Association. You can also start small, with a dozen or so. Your choice. SpotOnResponse is ready to take 100 or more in the initial launch batch. -
Send Personal Instructions
Use a quick intro email to let each organization know what is going to happen next. Use one of the implementation plan or your own plan as a draft. And, of course, always emphasize how they’ll benefit — visibility, coordination, speed. -
SpotOnResponse Will Distribute Login Access
Each user receives credentials and a link to the app (web and mobile). SpotOnResponse support can help provision accounts quickly. -
SpotOnResponse Will Walk Through a 10-Minute Orientation
This virtual video training will show users how to:-
Log in
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Create their own business or organization location
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Post a Status update
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View others on the map
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Create a SpotReport to inform the community
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The orientation will be recorded for future viewing by new participants
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Set a Week One Posting Goal
Encourage everyone to post a status at least once in the first week — even if it’s “We’re open and fully operational.” -
Create a Week Two Simple Map Scenario and Exercise
Run a mini-exercise: “The power is out in one part of town. Post your status and see who can help.” This makes usage real and practice quick and easy. -
Invite Secondary Users
Once comfortable, each organization should add a second staffer — backups improve continuity and maintain usage. -
Schedule a Week Three Community Map Review
After two weeks of start-up and mini-exercise, hold a brief meeting (virtual or in-person) to review what’s visible on the map and what gaps exist. Every organization should be visible and many should have added some additional features of their supply chain or area of responsibility. -
Decide on Routine Usage
Will you post weekly? During storms? Monthly exercises? Set a rhythm that keeps SpotOnResponse alive between events. -
Expand to your full 100 licenses. Add more as needed.
Use early success to invite more orgs. Each new user adds value by sharing what they know and helping solve what others need. -
Share Back with the Community
Use screenshots, brief stories, or testimonials to show that SpotOnResponse works — and that your community is leading the way.
How do I get other organizations in my community to join us?
That’s the heart of it, isn't it?
The answer: You don’t need to convince 100 organizations right away. You just need the first few — and SpotOnResponse gives them an easy way to check in, share what they need, and offer what they can. As others see it working, they’ll join in.
You also have natural organizations to become advocates, like the thousands of Chambers of Commerce and Main Street Associations across the US. Members of these organizations are civic leaders. A presentation to them (and we can help there) could go a long way to building partners.
Practically, most communities would start with 10–15 active participants and grow from there. We’ve made it simple with our Business-Community Partnership: 100 organization licenses for just $1,000 per year. Partners join any time.
Start small. Share visibility. Grow your recovery community.
What guidance is available to help deploy?
There is a Getting Started Guide for the administrator to help plan the roll-out. After FEMA: The SpotOnResponse Playbook for Emergency Management and After FEMA: The Community Recovery Playbook give organizations a good idea what they can do with SpotOnResponse. On the website, the Video Tutorials provide step-by-step through features. After FEMA: The Playbook Technical Guide describes for advanced users how to modify existing data collector templates to customize for special requirements. And more to come.
Is there any training or support if we get stuck?
Yes. Every subscription includes onboarding support, a short video orientation, and access to email help if you run into trouble. There are also step-by-step tutorials on the website and printable guides for field teams. If you want to run a community-wide kickoff or training session, the SpotOnResponse team can help you do that too.
Become A Community Sponsor
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community Needs a sponsor?
We're here to help you secure a sponsor for the $1,000 annual subscription to SpotOnResponse. The button below downloads your Sponsor Outreach Kit. It includes an introduction email and an electronic brochure. With the Kit you can easily approach potential sponsors who share your vision to request that they subscribe.
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how to sponsor a community
Any business, community organization, or other group is eligible to subscribe to the SpotOnResponse mobile app and web application. Then you donate access to 100 individuals or organizations, more than enough to empower the whole community to better coordinate response and speed recovery.
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Sponsor your community now
With FEMA and the Feds pulling back, sponsoring lets you take action, build for the future, calm community concern, and provide tangible evidence that the community has sound leadership. For only $1000 you can take your community from fearing the loss of FEMA to building Local First resiliency.