E-Plan Commercialization White
Paper
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 & Emergency
Preparedness Center at UTD
Background
E-Plan is a web-based information system that, among other
possible functions, enables first responders to retrieve information
critically needed in the initial stages of chemical emergencies.
It was designed for that purpose by EPA Region 6 officials
and UTD researchers, in close collaboration with first responders
and the Regional Response Team. This system is the first federally
sponsored effort to provide facility hazard data to first
responders via a secure web-site.
The system was developed and beta tested during 2000, and
is currently in use in selected locations in Texas, Louisiana,
New Mexico, Arkansas, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina,
and New York. The system currently has 1000 trained users,
and contains information on about 20,000 facilities. Growth
trends are depicted below.
E-Plan’s user-friendly features give Volunteer Fire
Department (VFD) members and full-time firefighters alike
the informational edge to protect themselves, accident victims
and surrounding communities better than ever before. With
some 40,000 different chemicals in commercial use daily, First
Responders have a time-limited window in which to identify
potential chemical hazards and take immediate action. Because
E-Plan is easy to use, flexible and requires a minimal amount
of computer knowledge, First Responders are learning in a
matter of minutes how to use the system.
Business Need / Opportunity
Response to hazardous situations is different depending on
several factors including plants, involved chemicals, etc.
Additionally, al emergency related information exists either
in cabinets or papers. After 9/11, there was a shift in focus
as the Department of Homeland Security made funds available
to cities that are intended to ensure that local employees
/ emergency crew-members such as fire-fighters are properly
equipped and trained. EPA's focus is now on "after incident"
decontamination and clean up. With this in mind, consistency,
confidence and quickness in managing emergency responses are
most compelling reason in making emergency management systems
unified and available nationwide.
Solution
In order to satisfy EPA’s requirement that commercialization
opportunities for E-Plan be assessed, UTD proposes to investigate
the feasibility of commercialization methods such as licensing,
public / private partnerships, and non-profit management.
This investigation should include an analysis of the market
potential within each of the three customer categories mentioned
above. The investigation should also specifically address
advantages and disadvantages of University based management
versus off-campus, non-profit management.
Deliverables
A White paper highlighting the results of the following investigations:
- Research, study and explain possible emergency management
systems (E-Plan) funding approaches. Options include Public,
Public/Private and Private System management and funding.
- Explore market potential, licensing and legal issues related
to each of the above-mentioned options as well as their
combinations (private and public).
- Explore possible compelling private funding options. Research
and explain motives for private funding as well as associated
legal implications.
- Research, study and explain emergency management system
"Implementation Options", including possible revenue
stream.
- Compare the various types of public/private opportunities
for commercializing E-Plan.
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