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mh/respond.ma Contact: Andrew Johnston, 301-217-4946
or Daniel Collins, 202-906-2770
COUNTY UNVEILS NEW
COMPUTER SYSTEM TO INTERFACE
WITH TRANSPORTATION CARRIERS
DURING EMERGENCY INCIDENTS For Immediate Release: October 22, 1996
Montgomery County officials today unveiled a new computer software
system that will enable fire-rescue and police personnel to quickly obtain
information on critical safety features of passenger trains in case of
emergency incidents. The new "Operation Respond Emergency Information System"
(OREIS) not only identifies contents of rail and truck hazardous materials
containers, but contains information vital to the response to passenger train
incidents such as seat configuration, videos of how to open doors and windows,
and internal electrical systems.
Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan was joined in the
announcement by U.S. Congresswoman Constance Morella, County Council Vice
President Marilyn Praisner, Federal Railroad Administrator Jolene Molitoris,
Amtrak Assistant Vice President of Safety and Environemntal Control Carmen
Bianco and Operation Respond President Dan Collins.
"Quickly determining the cargo of a rail car or truck involved in a
collision or mishap is critical to saving lives," said Duncan. "Each second
that this information is not available to those on the scene of an incident
poses a serious risk to all those involved, including the rescuers
themselves."
Montgomery County is the first jurisdiction in the Washington,
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OPERATION RESPOND 2-2-2-2
Baltimore and Richmond areas to receive the software, which is currently used
in only six states and Mexico.
"I am pleased to have been able to make a difference in securing funds
for Operation Respond in the 1997 Transportation Appropriations bill," said
Congresswoman Morella. "Operation Respond is a program that I hope will be in
place throughout the United States, and I am proud that Montgomery County is
leading the way. The memory of last winter's terrible tragedy in Silver
Spring underscores the need for state-of-the-art technology to help our rescue
personnel do the best -- and the safest -- job possible."
Using the software donated by Amtrak through Operation Respond
Institute, Inc., the County's emergency dispatchers can pull up information on
CSX and Conrail and two motor carriers, following identification of the
transport vehicle(s) involved. The software will identify the exact cargo
carried, along with ways to safely manage it. OREIS also uses schematic
drawings of Amtrak passenger cars and locomotives to provide rescuers with
information on where to locate windows and electrical connections.
Local railroads participating in the program include Amtrak, MARC, CSX
and Conrail. Two vehicle transport companies -- Chemical Leaman Tank Lines
and Yellow Freight -- are also on the system.
"One of Amtrak's top goals is safety excellence through continuous
improvements, resulting in a rail service that is safe for customers and
employees," said Bianco. "This software is another proactive tool emergency
crews can use to respond to transportation incidents involving passenger
trains."
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OPERATION RESPOND 3-3-3-3
"Coping with today's accident or incident environment demands that we
recognize the insight and experience of America's emergency responders," said
Molitoris. "The unique benefit of Operation Respond is that it brings an
added dimension -- the resources, the creativity, and the expertise of the
emergency response community. And, emergency responders know that the
consequences of delays in obtaining basic lifesaving information are sometimes
as bad as having no information at all. By reducing the consequences of an
accident, the safety of responders, carrier employees, and the public is
greatly improved."
Operation Respond Institute was created in 1992 as a cooperative effort
between the Federal Railroad Administration and the Port Terminal Railroad of
Houston (Texas). It is jointly funded by the U.S. Department of
Transportation, rail and motor carriers and recently the National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health.
"The cooperation of the carriers and the emergency response community
has been phenomenal," said Daniel Collins, president of the Operation Respond
Institute. "Amtrak, MARC and VRE are to be particularly commended for their
foresight in using technology to address emergency response issues. Operation
Respond is looking forward to expanding the system nationwide."
In addition to this latest version of the software, the County will also
participate as a test site for a prototype CD-ROM version with additional
drawings and information. Operation Respond officials plan to expand the
number of motor carriers participating in the program. An additional copy of
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OPERATION RESPOND 4-4-4-4
the program is planned to be placed on the County's hazardous materials
vehicle, which responds to all incidents involving trains and vehicles
carrying hazardous materials.
Montgomery County is the first of 20 localities in the northeast
corridor of the U.S. expected to receive the OREIS software by February 1997.
Currently, the OREIS software has been installed in nearly 100 dispatch
centers in the U.S. and Mexico.
For more information, contact Operation Respond Institute, Box GEKE 10,
Washington, D.C. 20002; call 202-906-2770.
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