At a time when national attention is keenly focused on the security of hazardous materials, Spill Center® has introduced an integrated communications system that can save critical time during hazmat emergencies and improve incident management for the benefit of spill generators, the government and the environment.

Combining satellite-tracking technology, wireless communications, two dimensional (2D) Barcode infrastructure technology and online access to global registries or databases, the Electronic Emergency Response Management System will enable public responders and companies having care, custody and control of hazardous materials to make better decisions in the management of spills.

The system can bring emergency response personnel to the scene of a hazmat incident faster and better prepared than ever before. It will also give spill generators more control over clean up operations and the handling of their valuable equipment and cargoes.

Spill Center, which specializes in hazmat incident management, has applied for a patent on the new Electronic Emergency Response Management System. Based on Spill Center’s proprietary online spill management systems, trained staff of compliance associates and extensive databases, the integrated system provides fast access to information needed to expedite response and remediation of hazmat spills.

The Electronic Emergency Response Management System was demonstrated for the first time in the fall of 2001, during the COHMED hazmat training conference conducted by the U.S. DOT’s Research and Special Programs Administration. Participants included fleet safety managers, emergency responders and law enforcement personnel – all of whom were well aware that hazmat can become a weapon of mass destruction in the wrong hands.

As part of the demonstration, representatives from wireless messaging companies discussed how satellite tracking and wireless communications are able to tie into Spill Center’s Electronic Emergency Response Management System. Spill Center staff members demonstrated electronic spill reporting systems, online contingency planning capabilities, selection of cleanup contractors, and response management systems.

Global positioning systems and other technologies provide real-time information about equipment and materials being transported. Using on-board computers, vehicle tracking and wireless communications technology that is already on transport vehicles, this system can provide real-time information about cargo and equipment, the vehicle’s location and the nature of the incident within minutes.

Wireless systems enable a driver to send an instant alert via the wireless service provider in the event of a hazmat emergency. Routed electronically, the message would be received at Spill Center, which would alert emergency responders, providing the exact location of the vehicle and additional details as they become known. Vehicle tracking technology could also be configured to determine if a hazmat delivery has been delayed or a route changed for an unexplained reason.

To demonstrate the benefits for emergency responders in Massachusetts, Spill Center developed a prototypical system that includes an equipment/capabilities database for fire services and other emergency responders. Each company would maintain an inventory of equipment and capabilities in the database, which is accessed through a secure, interactive Web site. Authorized personnel would search the database and other specialized databases when they require assistance or additional equipment during an emergency.

Emergency vehicles would be equipped with on-board transmitters emitting unique signals, enabling them to be tracked in real time and their locations displayed on a computer-generated map at the Web site. An assessment could be made as to which units are available to respond to a particular incident in the quickest period of time. The system would facilitate communication and coordination for first responders and law enforcement officials.

No coordinated collection of emergency response capabilities exists at the local, state or even national level. This system can provide emergency response planners and agencies with centralized access to resources and critical information for greater control over accidental hazmat releases or even terrorists attempting to use hazmat as a weapon of mass destruction. At no time in our country’s history has the need been greater to plan and work diligently to make better response and remediation resources available faster.

A white paper, "New Technology and Systems for Emergency Response in an Era of Counterterrorism," is available at no charge from Spill Center. E-mail: tmoses@spillcenter.com or call: 978-568-1922.

Tom Moses discussed the Electronic Emergency Response Management System at the 7th annual Transportation and Distribution Conference January 14-15 in New Orleans. His topic was entitled, "Reinventing the Wheel: New Technologies and Systems for Emergency Response Management." The conference and exhibition addressed key issues affecting transportation and logistics professionals.