Spill Center, Hudson MA has opened Hazmat Tracking Center, incorporating wireless voice and data communications and satellite tracking to increase security and enhance incident response for shippers and carriers, according to Tom Moses, Spill Center founder and president.
The new resource center integrates the capabilities of Qualcomm's OmniTRACS satellite-based mobile communications and tracking system and OmniExpress mobile communications system with wireless and online access to Spill Center's data banks and trained staff. The integration leverages the benefits of real-time data communications and the ability to share this information with nationwide incident response and remediation resources, Moses said.
Qualcomm's Mobile Data Interchange (MDI) capability enables transporters to share their data with Spill Center in an automated and efficient way. The driver of a vehicle equipped with an OmniTRACS or OmniExpress system is able to transmit pre-formatted "emergency" or "immediate" or "normal" messages to his or her dispatcher, depending on the nature of the incident.
A copy of the message is automatically routed through Qualcomm's Network Management Center to Spill Center, where trained personnel immediately contact the designated company personnel, emergency responders and any other support providers needed to control the incident. Spill Center can forward data and alerts in the form of faxes, pages, e-mail, and text messages to customized distribution and notification lists as well as to client company databases, Moses said.
"Our integrated technologies allow us to deliver tracking data and hazmat alerts to key personnel at our client companies automatically, day or night, eliminating the need for company personnel to constantly watch computer screens to monitor for incidents involving hazardous materials shipments," Moses said. "That frees up our clients' personnel and puts the monitoring for hazmat incidents in the hands of our trained staff."
Charles L Whittington, Grammer Industries, Grammer IN, president likes the idea of the Hazmat Tracking Center. "Having already invested in mobile communications from Qualcomm, and as a client of Spill Center, we clearly see the value of this integration within our operation. Ninety-nine percent of the loads transported by our tank truck fleet are hazardous. We owe it to our customers, our employees and the general public to operate in the safest manner possible. We see great potential in integration efforts like these because they enhance safety and security by building upon what we're now using to operate efficiently and provide superior customer service."