June, 2001 News Update
Operation Respond has launched the first phase of the Internet-based version of the OREISTM software program. Emergency responders can access the program right over the Web at www.oreis.org with the use of a secure user ID and password. The Internet-version will allow ORI to post updates and add features as they are developed.
The Web-based version of OREIS is being released in two phases. The first phase, which is now available, includes all of the features of OREIS 4.0 except the freight railroad and trucking connections, which verify hazardous materials contents. Phase I does include the passenger railroad schematics, tank truck silhouettes, chemical databases, and placard and UN ID number chemical information.
Training classes have begun in Salt Lake City as ORI presents its Pre-Olympic Hazardous Materials and Passenger Train Emergency Response Training in cooperation with UDOT. The training is the second leg of a project that ORI has been working on with UDOT in preparation for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The project, which provides response tools and training to local emergency responders, will result in the training of over 500 fire fighters, police offices, and emergency dispatchers. Training will be complete by one year before the start of the games. The training classes will last through the end of the month. Amtrak, the BNSF, Union Pacific, Utah Railway, Yellow Freight and TRAX are supporters of this project.
VIA Rail Canada is donating software and training to communities along their lines in Canada. The program is expected to reach in to British Columbia and beyond. So far, the program has resulted in the distribution of 27 sets of OREISTM to Canadian emergency responders, with 38 more installations expected in the near future. ORI is currently conducting nine training sessions for law enforcement agencies located along VIA Rail owned territory.
ORI has recently entered into a new cooperative agreement with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The contract involves several projects, including the distribution of refined OREIS TM software along the I-35 corridor in Texas. WW Rowland, an intermodal freight carrier, and the Union Pacific are involved in this project. ORI and the FHWA are also working on test project in West Virginia regarding permitting process notification for truckers.
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has recently expanded their partnership with ORI and initiated a multi-state pilot project to increase the presence of OREISTM in emergency response centers. This ten-state program focuses on finding or creating a state-program for emergency responders to purchase OREISTM by utilizing state grants or funding. The states affected by the program are Alabama, Delaware, Maryland, Mississippi, Alaska, Texas, West Virginia, Utah, Washington and New York.
Railroad carriers will soon be able to immediately communicate with emergency response agencies located near their lines, thanks to an innovative new project being developed by Operation Respond Institute (ORI) in partnership with Amtrak and the IC/CN. The Railroad Response Information System (RRIS), partially funded by the FTA, will facilitate two-way communications between the railroad carriers and emergency response dispatch centers for incident notification and dissemination of information. ORI is working in cooperation with the Canadian National/Illinois Central and Amtrak on a pilot phase of the project, concentrating on a line that runs from Chicago to New Orleans. After the pilot project is complete, ORI plans to work cooperatively with Amtrak to develop similar databases for other railroad lines hosting Amtrak trains.
A prototype of the OREISTM ACCESS (patent pending) software has been developed and is currently being evaluated along a 25-mile section of track on the Detroit-Chicago Corridor in Dowagiac, MI. The OREIS ACCESS application uses GIS mapping technology to help responders pinpoint the physical location of an incident occurring along railroad lines by matching rail mileposts, signals, and control points with more easily recognizable streets, highways and landmarks. The prototype was developed with the help of Amtrak, which supplied aerial maps of the lines. The FRA-funded project has gained strong support from both the response community and transportation industry. Once complete, ACCESS will be available to responders as an add-on component to OREISTM.
New York commuter railroad Metro-North has submitted schematics for their rail fleet for inclusion in the Internet version of OREISTM. Metro-North Railroad is the second-largest commuter line in the United States and runs from New York City to various parts of New York State and Connecticut. The Northern Indiana Commuter District has also recently joined the program. The inclusion of theses rail systems, along with the recent addition of WMATA to OREIS, is expected to raise participation among light-rail, transit, and commuter rail carriers.