Grid Emergency Management (GEM) is a framework and supporting system for making ICS simpler and more effective for utilities. GEM adopts a synthesis of all hazard management approaches. It is designed to be usable by infrequent users. It embeds a “checklist culture” methodology in a collaborative environment to ensure that things are not overlooked. It enables the management of the complete life cycle of incidents—anticipating threats, preparing for incident management, adapting to changing incident situations, and learning and improving incident management post-incident.  It enhances, extends, and integrates your current processes and systems into a modern ICS-based utility-specific emergency management regime, enabling secure collaboration with external parties. At the same time, you remain in control of the information flow, allowing information sharing appropriately.

GEM leverages open-source technology and know-how incubated under a DOE ARPA-E project focused on Secure Grid Data Exchange.  Its development has been in R&D collaboration with Xcel Energy and Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative to improve the utility industry’s capability to manage emergency management incidents.