ARCADIA — The DeSoto County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of a crisis management software system for the county’s emergency management department. The software, named WebEOC, is designed to allow real-time information sharing and storage to help the department communicate with local and government officials, and make faster and more informed decisions in crisis situations.

The system’s initial cost is $23,997.90, with yearly maintenance costs estimated at less than $2,000. The program and maintenance costs are all grant funded. Emergency Management Director Doug Christ stated that the system is crucial for both its real-time communication and data storage ability.