As part of SMART's on-going collaboration within the Region, a new joint initiative of our IT/Communications Group and HLS Group has launched a program Emergency Communications.

This program is called ACCESS™, or Alert Communication & Collaborative Emergency Support System. ACCESS™ is a continuation of the first SMART project; Alert Notification & Incident Command System (ANICS™). ANICS™ was successfully deployed by several organizations including the United States Coast Guard during Hurricanes Katrina & Rita. ACCESS™ represents an extension of how ANICS™ can be more effective in saving lives and property during natural disasters, accidents, pandemics or terrorist attacks.

ACCESS™ is a registry system that helps First Responders locate people and identify any special considerations for their rescue or emergency treatment (e.g., diabetic, elderly, medical problems, next of kin, responsible adult, small children). ACCESS™ is a web-based system that collects vital information used to help people and then feeds that information to ANICS™ for use by First Responders to manage the rescue and recovery operations.

Currently, SMART is working with state legislatures to examine the feasibility of state-wide testing of ACCESS™. As part of the interim testing of ACCESS™, a controlled test is currently being conducted. If you can help, please visit the following link and complete the information: http://www.alsianics.com/dhs. The contact information you provide will be used to have ANICS™ automatically contact you periodically over the upcoming few weeks (not everyone will be contacted) via voice, text messages, and/or emails . The messages will only be between 9AM and 5PM EST Mon - Fri. The voice messages may ask you to key in numbers on your phone in response to questions we ask.

We will not use your contact information for any other reason other than to conduct this test, nor will it be given to any other party. We are the only organization controlling this test. We are measuring, among other things, the total transit time it takes from when we launched a message to you and when your “edge device” actually receives the message.

Your participation will be extremely helpful in establishing benchmarks for a nationwide communication and disaster management system. We also encourage you to forward this email to your friends / family who may wish to participate.

NOTE: All SMART projects are managed by the appropriate Tech Cluster Group. For general project information, please contact our Projects Director, Tom Milhous, at tmilhous@comcast.net or 609-266-8500.