Background

Tangipahoa Parish is one of the fastest-growing local government entities in Louisiana, known as the "Crossroads of the South" because of its access to a rich transportation network. The parish seat is Amite City, and other cities and towns include Hammond, Ponchatoula, Independence, Kentwood, and Roseland. A close-knit community, the heart of Tangipahoa has 13 higher learning institutions within an hour’s drive.

John Dunnington, Chief Information Officer (CIO), upholds the vision, goals, and strategic plan of Tangipahoa Parish Government through technology's thorough and diligent administration. His focus is on making technology work for the people it serves, both within government agencies and the community. He explains, “It is not just about technology, it is about ensuring customers—whether citizens or government agencies—get what they need from technology.” His approach prioritizes practical applications of IT to enhance security and emergency response capabilities.

The Challenge

Faced with the annual threat of hurricanes, Tangipahoa Parish required a solution that could centralize security operations and streamline their response efforts. John emphasized the role of an integrated security system for emergency response and management, "A cloud-based platform allows us to act swiftly from a web browser or mobile device, no matter where we are located.” 

This need for effective incident management aligned with his goal to simplify technology use across various departments, “We aimed to eliminate friction between security devices and empower our users. We wanted people to enjoy interacting with the products rather than feeling intimidated by them. Additionally, we sought to remove site-to-site VPNs and address user fragmentation caused by various systems across different sites.”

Why Verkada?

John empowers his team with Verkada’s intuitive Command platform, designed to be easy to use for timely and effective incident management. “As a very small team, time is our most valuable commodity. Having a single platform to view and control all aspects of the system is the key advantage. It significantly reduces the time required to onboard new admins since they only need to learn one system. This allows me to bookmark the platform in users' browsers, eliminating the confusion of managing multiple systems and applications.”

Each year, Tangipahoa Parish meticulously revisits its disaster recovery plan to maintain readiness against emergencies, drawing on lessons from past challenges such as Hurricane Ida in 2021. During these events, the parish leverages Verkada’s hybrid cloud cameras and cloud-managed access control systems to enhance its emergency response. The installation and integration of these systems were expertly handled by Nortech, a trusted partner and reseller, contributing to seamless operation and support.

“From the very first demo, we recognized its scalability, unification, and simplicity as exactly what we needed. During emergencies, such as Hurricane Ida, the ability to remotely manage security operations proves indispensable.”

Leveraging Cloud-Managed Solutions for Hurricane Response

In 2021, Hurricane Ida posed a significant challenge for Tangipahoa Parish, testing both its infrastructure and emergency response capabilities. As the hurricane approached, John Dunnington and his team leveraged Verkada to monitor, manage, and respond to the crisis remotely, a capability that John describes as transformative for emergency management.

“During Hurricane Ida, we had to verify the delivery of emergency supplies, ensure the security of our facilities, and send this footage to state officials and FEMA. Additionally, we had to remotely grant access to doors and facilities, even while some of our team was displaced. We accomplished all of this using our mobile devices while on the move. This experience truly highlighted the power and flexibility of Verkada's cloud-first approach."

Remote Operations and Effective Disaster Documentation

With the Verkada Command app and web-based interface, John and his team can access real-time camera feeds and access control systems on the go, empowering them to handle operations during critical situations like Hurricane Ida. This remote access proves essential when physical presence is hindered by damages or safety risks.

"I could do everything from my mobile phone, which was crucial as we dealt with damage across multiple facilities. This meant I didn't have to be tied to a server room, struggling with outdated equipment to retrieve vital information.”

From Command, John confirmed the delivery of emergency supplies, maintaining the security of critical facilities, and manage relief efforts without needing to be onsite. In a few clicks, he quickly archived and shared the necessary documentation and footage to state officials and FEMA for reimbursement and record-keeping. Reflecting on the broader implications, John highlighted the impact of a cloud-based system on emergency management. "Despite the chaos, we maintained control and visibility over doors and facilities. This technology was essential for effectively responding to managing an emergency situation.”

Central Command for Real-Time Crisis Management

The Tangipahoa Emergency Operation Center (EOC), built to endure severe weather conditions, functions as the central hub for all emergency response activities in the parish. Equipped with Verkada's VX52 Viewing Station and comprehensive product suite, the system enhances communication, visibility, and responsiveness during critical situations. VX52 Smart Tiles enable John to quickly access and prioritize real-time data from camera feeds displaying high-motion activity, door access events, and environmental conditions.

"Our Viewing Station acts as the parish's eyes during emergencies," John explains. "Strategically placed cameras allow us to monitor storm impacts, evaluate flood barriers, and oversee evacuation routes in real-time. We have the essential information exactly when it's needed to safeguard our community."

Across Tangipahoa Parish, Verkada's integrated security system helps maintain safety and operational integrity. Cameras provide vital monitoring capabilities, access control systems secure entry points to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive areas, and alarm systems proactively detect and respond to security incidents. The VX52 Viewing Stations, capable of streaming up to 300 camera feeds, offer ultra-low latency and crisp video playback. Customizable layouts with Smart Tiles monitor mission-critical events, facilitating faster and more informed responses during crises.

Streamlining Access and Enhancing Security at Critical Points

John also highlights the integration of License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology and smart access-controlled doors, "At our landfill and newly established multi-use facility, we monitor and control the entry and exit of vehicles using LPR with access control. This technology has proven invaluable, particularly in critical areas that require heightened oversight – especially during emergencies.”

The LPR system works seamlessly with access-controlled gates, enabling efficient vehicle management without the need for manual checks or the physical handling of access cards. This integration is helpful during adverse weather conditions or emergencies when swift and secure access is necessary.

"At our courthouse, individuals can approach the gate, and without pressing a single button, the system recognizes their credentials from a distance and grants access. Beyond security, this capability improves convenience for our staff.”

Innovating for Future Safety & Efficiency

“When we first evaluated Verkada's solution around 2020, no other product offered an equivalent feature set. Our initial assessment has only been reinforced as we've watched Verkada continue to push the envelope.”

Automatic updates contain the latest software and firmware enhancements, including features that help maintain safety and security across the parish. John is exploring new capabilities such as integrations for access control and AI-powered search for emergency scenarios. The ability to quickly locate a person or vehicle by description—for instance, a 'Car with FEMA logo' or a 'Person in green shirt last seen at [insert site here]'—could further accelerate response times.

John notes, “Each new feature Verkada introduces not only enhances our daily operations, but also improves our ability to respond to crises. Integrating Apple Watch for access control simplifies usage for our team, while AI-powered search quickly locates specific vehicles or individuals during a crisis.”

Looking Ahead: Preparing for Tomorrow

The story of Tangipahoa Parish and Verkada is one of resilience, innovation, and strategic foresight. Their ability to navigate these challenges underscores the critical role of integrated technology solutions in monitoring, managing, and responding to disasters – while keeping residents safe.

"As we continue to improve our technology infrastructure, our Verkada system remains fundamental to our disaster management and security strategy. Their solutions not only equip us for emergencies but also improve our daily security operations.”

With hurricane season as a recurring challenge, the experiences from Hurricane Ida and the continuous improvements in technology continue to refine Tangipahoa Parish’s approach to physical security, helping them stay better prepared for the future.

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