E-Plan

Name: E-Plan
Author: University of Texas at Dallas

University of Texas at Dallas

DOCUMENTED

Published in academic literature

For:Industry Professionals

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App Summary

E-Plan is a reference tool that provides first responders with real-time access to on-site hazardous chemical information for facilities across the United States. The associated research presents E-Plan as a case study in using an intelligent Web-services model to rapidly deliver critical data, such as chemical profiles and emergency response guides, to emergency personnel. The authors conclude that this technical model allows for agile and rapidly deployable systems, enhancing access to vital information during chemical emergencies.

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Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

E-Plan is a data retrieval system that aggregates on-site hazardous chemical information for facilities across the United States. The system leverages Tier II reporting data submitted under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Its interface facilitates access to geospatial maps indicating sensitive locations, chemical profiles, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) pages, and facility Risk Management Plans (RMPs). This information is delivered via the internet to enhance situational awareness during hazardous material incidents.

Evidence & Research Context

The system's architecture is founded on the aggregation of hazardous material data submitted by facilities as mandated by federal environmental regulations.
E-Plan was the subject of a technical case study in the IEEE conference proceedings that detailed its architectural evolution into an intelligent web-services model.
The associated research describes the system as an established platform for providing critical information to first responders during chemically hazardous emergencies.

Intended Use & Scope

This system is designed for First Responders and emergency management personnel as a real-time decision-support tool. Its primary utility is providing rapid access to facility-specific hazardous material data during an incident. E-Plan is intended to supplement, not replace, on-site hazard assessment and established incident command protocols. The data's accuracy is contingent upon regulatory reporting by individual facilities.

Studies & Publications

1 publication

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Development/Design Paper

Towards intelligent services: a case study in chemical emergency response. 2005 IEEE International Conference on Web Services

Bansal et al. (2005) · IEEE ICWS Conference Proceedings

Describes the research-driven development of this app

In a short period the Web has become an important part of our lives. However, the full potential of the Web is still not realized. Two recent developments - Web services and the semantic Web - are steps in the direction of utilizing the full potential of the Web. Web services allow applications to utilize the Web for automatically extracting (and updating) information while the semantic Web enterprise promises to provide the infrastructure that allows intelligent Web services to be rapidly created and deployed. However, with this comes the task of transforming the traditional Web-based systems to Web-services over the semantic Web. In this paper, we demonstrate how an existing successful Web-based system for providing help to first responders of chemically hazardous emergencies (called E-plan) can be converted into a Web-services based model using the semantic Web and intelligent reasoning technologies. Our efforts can be regarded as a case study in converting monolithic Web-based applications to a more agile, rapidly deployable intelligent Web-services model.

In the Media

E-Plan provides first responders and other emergency personnel with on-site hazardous chemical information for US facilities

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and The University of Texas at Dallas developed E-Plan to provide first responders with critical hazardous chemical information at emergency scenes, using a secure Internet-accessible repository system. The system addresses a significant need, as ATSDR reported that in 2001, 227 first responders suffered health consequences from hazardous materials releases at fixed facilities like chemical plants and refineries. E-Plan is currently funded by the United States Department of Homeland Security and operates in many communities nationwide.

ErplanRead article

E-Plan Emergency Information System Aiding in Response to Hurricane Katrina

The University of Texas at Dallas and the United States Environmental Protection Agency developed E-Plan to aid emergency responders in assessing chemical facility damage, using a secure Internet-accessible database containing hazardous material inventories across multiple states. "The information available through E-Plan will be vital to first responders in planning safe initial approaches to these facilities, as well as advising personnel on how to deal with any chemical spills," said Dr. E. Douglas Harris, executive director of UTD's CyberSecurity and Emergency Preparedness Institute. Created in 2001, E-Plan proved invaluable during Hurricane Katrina response efforts in Gulf Coast states including Louisiana and Alabama.

UtdallasRead article

UTD To Test Web-Based HazMat Emergency Response System

The University of Texas at Dallas developed E-Plan to support emergency response personnel during hazardous materials releases, using an Internet-based electronic information system that centralizes critical data. "E-Plan will centralize and integrate this vital data electronically, so that information can be obtained virtually instantly via computer by personnel responding to an emergency, thus saving a significant amount of time and, quite likely, lives and property," said Dr. E. Douglas Harris. The EPA and Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission provided $1.3 million in total funding for the system's development and pilot testing.

UtdallasRead article