EcoOnline software aids World Cup final safety planning

EcoOnline's software is being used by emergency services, hospitals and public authorities in New York and New Jersey to support preparations for the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium. The systems are also in use across 11 of the 16 North American host regions.

The England-headquartered software group has spent more than a year working with local agencies ahead of the tournament finale. Its emergency and crisis management system is used for planning, resource management, incident coordination and reporting. Customers in the region include The Valley Hospital, St. Joseph's Health, the New Jersey EMS Task Force and county emergency management offices in New York and New Jersey.

The work places a British company inside the operational planning for one of the biggest sporting events hosted in the US. It also highlights how tournament security and public safety efforts now rely on shared digital systems across healthcare, emergency response and local government.

Regional Planning

Authorities in New York and New Jersey have been preparing for the match as part of a broader effort across multiple host areas in North America. The software is designed to give agencies a common operational picture by showing staff, assets and activities across organisations.

Bucky Buchanan, State Planner - Administrative Services, New Jersey EMS Task Force, said joined-up systems are critical during major events and emergencies.

"Major events don't just test a single agency; they also test how well agencies work together," Buchanan said.

"Whether responding to a planned event, a severe weather incident, or a large-scale emergency, success depends on having real-time visibility into personnel, resources, and operations across jurisdictions. Connected systems create a single source of truth, help us coordinate faster, and support better decisions when every minute matters," he said.

Monmouth County's emergency management leadership echoed that focus on routine as well as crisis use. The county office coordinates emergency management across 53 municipalities, making standardised information-sharing as much a practical issue as a strategic one.

"Emergency preparedness cannot be something you only do during a crisis," said Sheriff Shaun Golden of the Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management, which coordinates emergency management across 53 municipalities.

"We use EcoOnline's emergency & crisis management solution every day to track training, manage resources, and monitor operational activities, so teams are using the systems during routine operations. During a large, multi-agency response effort for a global public event like the World Cup, everyone has access to the same information and can make decisions more quickly," Golden said.

Hospital Readiness

Healthcare systems in the region have also been part of the planning effort, reflecting the wider strain major sporting events can place on hospitals and ambulance networks. For hospitals, preparations have focused on maintaining communications, situational awareness and operational flexibility if demand shifts quickly.

"Major events like the World Cup bring communities and visitors together at scale. For hospitals, that means staying digitally connected, maintaining situational awareness, and adapting quickly so patient care continues safely as conditions change," said Adam S. Perper, System Director of Emergency Management & Preparedness, St. Joseph's Health.

RWJBarnabas Health said it had been preparing well in advance, linking that work to wider regional coordination among public authorities, hospitals and emergency responders.

"We have been planning for the World Cup well in advance," said Landon Turner, SVP & Chief Security & Safety Officer, RWJBarnabas Health.

"By investing in coordination, visibility, and preparedness, organisations across the region are creating a more resilient system that can better support residents, responders, and visitors when it matters most," Turner said.

Wider Growth

EcoOnline said it has more than doubled its emergency management customer base in New York and New Jersey since the end of 2023. It also said user-hosted forums have brought customers together to share operational knowledge and improve cooperation across agencies.

The growth points to a broader market for emergency management software beyond single incidents or one-off events. Local authorities, hospital systems and transport bodies are increasingly looking for tools that can be used daily and then scaled during severe weather, mass gatherings or major incidents.

Tom Goodmanson, Chief Executive Officer, EcoOnline, linked the company's role in the World Cup preparations to a wider focus on public safety and crisis response.

"Our mission is to help protect people and the planet for future generations, from everyday safety and sustainability management to moments of emergency and crisis," Goodmanson said.

"The World Cup is a powerful reminder that major events rely on connected teams, trusted information, and coordinated action. With the world's eyes on New York and New Jersey this week, we're proud to support the planners, responders, healthcare teams, and city leaders working to keep people safe," he said.