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The Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council awarded funds to the Western Massachusetts Fire Chief Association for the Mobile Data Terminals project. The Mobile Data Terminals project has created an expansive, technology based emergency response system. The project has installed “Toughbook” laptops and geographic information mapping software into the fire departments of throughout all of Western Massachusetts, and continues to roll out more. The laptops provide fire fighters with the ability to obtain accurate timely information about their community’s infrastructure and their emergency response plans. Another major benefit of this program is that it allows for communities to share information. The information sharing aspect of the program gives firefighters and Incident Commanders easy access to critical response data concerning any mutual aid community they are responding to. A software upgrade and additional MDTs were added in 2013.
Reference: Fire, GIS, Information Sharing, MDT
WRHSAC has assisted the region in establishing police and public safety data information sharing networks for each of the four western Massachusetts counties. These systems are either IMC or Spillman based. Each county has a main hub or “node” that is the main communication point for data in that county. The most recent law enforcement data information sharing project provide hub or “node” linking for the IMC system in each county. Previously law enforcement agencies only had access to data from their own county. This project has expanded that access to all counties in western Massachusetts. Law enforcement departments must be using the most recent version of IMC to access this multiple county information. This project was completed in 2013.
Reference: IMC, Information Sharing, Spillman
Funds were awarded to Western Massachusetts Emergency Medical Services (WMEMS) to purchase Mobile Data Terminals – Toughbook laptops for ambulance services in western Massachusetts. The project also provided Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) compliant reporting software. MDTs were supplied to 42 ambulance service departments. OEMS now requires all ambulance run reports to be filed electronically. The MDTs and software allow EMS personnel to enter and record data while they are on a call and then to easily submit that data when the call is finished. This streamlined process greatly enhances the efficiency of the EMS reporting process. This project was completed in 2013.
Reference: EMS, Information Sharing, Mobile Data Terminals
The Western Massachusetts Sheriff Information Network (WMSIN) was developed through funds awarded by the WRHSAC. This system allows law enforcement agencies to conduct “live” searches of the House of Correction databases of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties. Recently this system was adopted by all the Sheriffs of the Commonwealth as the standard for database information sharing. A new module was added to the Hampden County system which allows the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department to send inmate medical related data to hospitals, mental health providers, and other health agencies while maintaining HIPPA requirements. This information is especially useful when individuals are transitioning back into the community and seeking health related care. This latest module was added in 2012.
Reference: Information Sharing, Sherrif Information Network
WRHSAC has provided EMS Patient Tracking system to the region. The system consists of three command units and twenty-one portable scanners. The tracking system is used to identify and tag patients/individuals during multiple casualty incidents and during sheltering operations. The system can communicate with tracking systems in hospitals throughout the region and commonwealth. Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) for EMS departments to assist with the gathering, logging and sending of information related to tracking were also part of the project. The project completed the link of patient tracking command units and accompanying portable scanners in the region. The project was completed in late June.
Reference: Information Sharing, MCI tracking, MDT, Mobile Data Terminals, patient tracking
Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council funded the purchase of the online reporting system created by “Coplogic.” Coplogic can be used by the community to report incidents and submit complaints via a secure browser connection. It can help save time reporting many non-emergency occurrences, such as traffic complaints, vandalism to a motor vehicle, or an anonymous tip.
This user friendly program is available 24/7 with the option to file a report in either English or Spanish. Coplogic online reporting is available through the websites of the police departments in the following towns:
Reference: Coplogic, Information Sharing
