The Kansas City Southern Railroad has re-established a link with the OREIS software to provide an additional layer, above the USDOT requirements, of electronic hazardous materials data about the content of railcars to emergency responders.
This real-time linkage works through an internet connection and allows users to view the chemical contents railcars that may be involved in an incident. This connection was temporarily disabled after September 11, 2001.
This linkage has been re-established and tested and is currently functional for OREIS 6.0 users located within the Kansas City Southern's operating range. This linkage also allows OREIS users to view data about freight railcars operated by the Tex/Mex Railroad.
For an additional information alternative from the USDOT hazardous materials requirements, e.g., in-field hazmat shipping documents, placards, labels, stencils, markings, emergency handling information, ERG, etc., emergency responders can access this same data through the use of the OREIS software. With the rail car identification number, OREIS will identify real-time hazardous materials content of railcars based on the shipper provided shipping documents and provides users with an alternative source to USDOT required hazardous materials data, detailing, chemical-specific response guidance in the first few moments of an incident.
"The major concern of Operation Respond for the past several years has been security, both for the OREIS software and for emergency responders," said Daniel M. Collins, President of Operation Respond. "We have instituted new features in OREIS to help responders deal with security incidents. We have also been tightening the security of the data, integrating with tools like V-ONEs SmartGuard and putting all new OREIS users through a verification process. We are very happy that the Kansas City Southern has recognized this focus on security and re-established their connection with OREIS to provide vital data to emergency responders."
OREIS 6.0 is now available to emergency responders in the United States and Canada. To learn more about OREIS, visit www.oreis.org.