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E-Plan to include Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Weapons Research area synopsis: Expand E-Plan database to include comprehensive first-responder relevant information regarding WMD’s and present it in a language specifically for first responders. UTD will partner with other academic institutions and coordinate with the member agencies of the National Response System, and other appropriate organizations involved in the Homeland Security effort, to extend the E-Plan Emergency Response Information System to be more widely applicable to the post-9/11 world. Research team: Professors Gupta (team leader), Raghavachari, Krishnan, and Mr. Staves and graduate research assistants. Research description: The University of Texas at Dallas, working closely for over three years with Region 6 EPA officials and the Regional Response Team, has developed and deployed, the nation’s first comprehensive, public sector, hazardous materials information system known as E-Plan. The system uses existing chemical agent information sources such as NFPA, NIOSH, EPA, and CHRIS for Hazmat reference materials, and Federal and state agency databases developed in accordance with EPCRA, OPA, and CAA Section 112® for facility information. Pre-9/11, chemical accidents were considered to have inflicted the most damage on life and property. However, the events of 9/11 brought home forcefully the need for a rapidly accessible database that is comprehensive in nature. Thus UTD will expand the scope of the relevance of E-Plan by augmenting the database with additional information pertaining to the newer threat agents such as anthrax and other WMD. A systematic effort will be made to develop a comprehensive hazardous agent database and format it in language and presentation easily understood by first responders during highly tense moments such as during emergency response. The same meticulous and systematic approach that was used to develop and hone the original E-Plan content and presentation will be used to expand it:
The advantage of augmenting the existing E-Plan database with more relevant information is that it is already a proven system and recommended highly by first responders who are already using it. The investigators are experienced professors and regulatory personnel, who can bring all of the experience acquired during the execution of E-Plan to directly bear on its augmentation. |
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