The Regional Information Sharing SystemsŪ (RISS), an intelligence sharing network for law enforcement officers, has announced that the Operation Respond Emergency Information System (OREIS) is now included as a component on the RISS secure intranet, known as RISSNET. The OREIS software, which provides emergency information about hazardous materials and transportation incidents, is now available to over 18,000 RISSNET users as a result of this integration.
On November 22, 2004, the resources of the OREIS software were made accessible to approximately 17,000 RISS member law enforcement officers and approximately 1,200 additional users of the Automated Trusted Information Exchange (ATIX). ATIX users include public service, public safety, emergency management, utility, and other critical infrastructure personnel. The resources of OREIS are available through the ATIX Web site.
OREIS has been integrated into these law enforcement networks as part of a partnership between Operation Respond and RISS to put the information and functions of OREIS directly at the fingertips of all RISS law enforcement members. Through this integration, RISS users are able to use the full spectrum of OREIS functions.
The RISS Program is composed of six regional intelligence centers that provide support services for member law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. Members share intelligence and coordinate efforts against criminal networks that operate in many locations across jurisdictional lines. Typical targets of RISS member activities are terrorism, drug trafficking, violent crime, cybercrime, gang activity, and organized criminal activities. Law enforcement agencies can use the ATIX resources to securely distribute information to authorized government personnel, public officials, and private-sector organizations.
OREIS is a software program for emergency responders developed by the nonprofit Operation Respond Institute (www.oreis.org). OREIS provides first responders with real-time information about the hazardous materials contents of railcars and motor carriers that have been involved in an incident and chemical-specific response guidance. OREIS also contains passenger railroad schematics, chemical databases, and other resources that allow for expedited response to hazmat and transportation incidents, emergencies, and disasters.
"It is the desire of Operation Respond and its participating carriers to make OREIS available to as many first responders as possible. Integrating with RISS enhances the critical information sharing function by providing factual content information-not only do responders know what is happening, they also have guidance on what to do about an incident. This is a winning situation for Operation Respond, the law enforcement community, RISS, and the general public," said Daniel M. Collins, President of Operation Respond.
"RISS is pleased to partner with the Operation Respond Institute and leverage the systems security architecture of the RISS Secure Intranet (RISSNET) to provide OREIS resources to RISS member law enforcement officers and Participants of the RISS Automated Trusted Information Exchange (ATIX) Program. Providing electronic remote access to OREIS through a secure environment enhances the ability for law enforcement and other first responders to more rapidly, effectively, and safely mitigate hazardous materials and transportation incidents." said Angelo Fiumara, Deputy Director, RISS Office of Information Technology.