WPForms, Slack, and Zapier Case Study for Pinnacle Search and Rescue Hurricane Ida Response (Cajun Navy 2016)

Learn how we helped Pinnacle Search and Rescue (Cajun Navy 2016) use Zapier, WPForms, and Slack in their rescues during Hurricane Ida.
WPForms Slack and Zapier Case Study for Pinnacle Search and Rescue Hurricane Ida Response Cajun Navy 2016
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The Cajun Navy is a volunteer organization formed in 2016 to help rescue people during Hurricane IDA.

To rescue as many people as possible, they needed a streamlined tool to gather information from those seeking help.

BlakSheep Creative created a process using WPForms, Zapier, and Slack that helped organize the information to make sure rescues were efficient.

Here’s how we did it:

Step 1: Create a Form on Their Website

The first step was to create a form using WPForms on Pinnacle Search & Rescue’s website which asked for information such as:

  • Is this a water rescue? 
  • Is this a wellness check?
  • Is there life-threatening debris that needs to be removed? 
  • Are you filling this out on behalf of someone? 
  • Name of Primary Person Needing Help
  • Primary Phone Number
  • Email
  • Secondary Phone Number
  • How do you know this person?
  • Where is help needed?
  • Number of Adults
  • Number of Children
  • Number of Elderly
  • Number of Pets
  • Any additional notes?

Once Cajun Navy 2016 captured the information from people in need of help, we needed a way to populate a Google spreadsheet to use in their command post to be alerted to new requests for assistance and track the completed ones.

Step 2: Populate a Google Sheet with Information Using Zapier

We created a “Zap” using Zapier and connected it to the form in their WordPress website backend. This Zap automatically added information from the form into a Google sheet that they could access anytime.

What is Zapier?

Zapier is a tool that helps you automate repetitive tasks between two or more apps—no code necessary. When an event happens in one app, Zapier can tell another to perform (or do) any particular action with just the press of your button! 

You select the Apps you want to be connected to your account, create a “Zap,” and choose what information you want to be exported from the form created in WordPress into the Google sheet.

Unfortunately, when new requests for help came in, unless they were looking directly at the spreadsheet, there was no way to tell when new requests came in or when they completed existing ones.

This process was not organized enough for a high-stress environment.

Step 3: Send Updates to Slack via Zapier

To get updates from Google Sheets into their Slack channels, we used Zapier again to send updates to their Slack channels to provide real-time information to their volunteer rescuers.

What is Slack?

Slack is a messaging app for businesses that connects people to the information they need. By bringing everyone together in one unified team, Slack transforms how organizations communicate and work with each other more efficiently than ever before!

This was the Slack app’s first integration (that we know of) into a disaster search and rescue organization.

Step 4: Let the Hurricane Ida Rescues Begin!

Once the team received their notifications in Slack, they could focus less on the information gathering and more on saving lives.

By utilizing this process, they were able to help rescue:

  • 267 adults (90 were elderly)
  • 105 children
  • 89 pets

It was a massive undertaking that happened in real-time! We’re proud of what we achieved by using WPForms, Zapier, and Slack for Hurricane IDA!

Does your business or organization need an innovative way to increase efficiency and save time?

Do you want to automate tedious processes and focus on what’s most important?

Contact BlakSheep Creative at info@blaksheepcreative.com or by phone at (225) 505-3834 today!

We’d love to help your business thrive!

Clint Sanchez

Clint Sanchez

Clint Sanchez excels as the Chief of Information and Technology at the Baton Rouge Fire Department and as a digital marketer at BlakSheep Creative. With over two decades in public service, he expertly manages technological infrastructures while also applying his creative skills in web, graphic design, and video at BlakSheep. His dual role demonstrates a unique blend of technical acumen and creative innovation.
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