“Free” Damage Assessment Software from ER Assist Inc  FAQ


Q:  Free?  There’s no such thing as Free.  

A:  You are right.  It’s not free.  However, we’ve decided to discount this software by 100% when you/your agency agree to 3 conditions for each of your software admins:

  1. Software admins agree to  become proficient and maintain proficiency with the software, as evidenced by using, testing, training, or exercising with the software at least twice a year.  AND

  2. Software admins agree to send us  any type of feedback at least once a year.

  3. Software admins agree to receive a monthly email from us.

Q:  Why is ER Assist  doing this?

A:  We are offering no charge software because:

  1. We are a benefit corporation and offering software which helps share valuable information in the first days of a disaster fits with our corporate charter to contribute to the social good.  

  2. We’ve already built the software.  It hurts our programmers feelings when their hard work isn’t being put to good use every day!

  3. We want your feedback.  Every disaster and every agency is a little bit different.  We built the damage assessment software based on our own experience.  More and varied use will make our software better.  

  4. This is cost-efficient marketing for us to introduce you to our other software and services.  

Q:  How can ER Assist afford to do this?

A:  Sponsors, Paid Add on Software, Paid Add on Services

  1. The free version of the software may contain ads or a sponsor directory.

  2. We hope you’ll like this software module and purchase some of our other software modules.

  3. We offer paid add on services.  While our help desk for software performance issues is completely free; we offer damage assessment support services  like data entry, qa/qc, cost estimates, scope of work development, or remote call center support billed by the hour.   

Q:  This still sounds too good to be true.  Something seems fishy.  

A:  Nope.  We’re for real.  Once you sign up and agree to terms of the free Damage Assessments module, you have full access thru Dec 2017 (web signup) or  the term of your contract (if you gained access through a contract) whichever is later.  Software admins will have the ability to export data, setup unlimited users, and have unlimited storage for disaster assessment use.  We hope you’ll join us for assessment training or test events or purchase add on software or services, but you have no obligation to do so, as long as your agencies software admins  maintain proficiency by using or testing the software twice a year, sending us feedback at least once a year, and agreeing to receive a monthly email.  

Q:  Who can sign up for Free Damage Assessment Software?  

A:  Any non-profit or government agency, including State level Departments of Emergency Management.  

Q:  Is there a PAID version of damage assessment?  

A:  Yes.  The cost is roughly $3000/50,000 population per year (software package discounts available).  It  does not require agreement to the terms of free software service, and usually includes some level of user setup.