A new online tool on hazardous chemical accidents has been released by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Response and Restoration. The new Web site, CAMEO Chemicals, http://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/, is the latest component of NOAA’s popular CAMEO (Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations) software suite and the first to be available for use online.

Over the past two decades, the CAMEO suite has brought first responders from an era in which they gleaned emergency response information from maps and reference books spread out on the hoods of their trucks to a time when up-to-date, comprehensive information on chemical plumes, toxicity risks and susceptibility of chemical mixtures to burn or explode can be displayed with a few strokes on a computer keyboard.

“CAMEO is the most widely used chemical response software in the world,” said Capt. Ken Barton, acting director of NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration. “With CAMEO Chemicals, we’ve responded to user requests to improve access and ease of use of this vital information. While the Web site is newly operational, it has already been placed in service with a major chemical release on the Mississippi River and a dangerous train derailment in New York.”

CAMEO Chemicals is an online, easy-to-use version of the most popular components of CAMEO, the chemical database and the reactivity prediction tool. Key features include:
Extensive Chemical Database: CAMEO Chemicals uses the same chemical database as CAMEO, which contains response recommendations for more than 6,000 chemicals. The database also contains more than 100,000 chemical synonyms and identification numbers, which aid emergency responders in identifying unknown substances during an incident.
Critical Response Information: The revised search engine and new ranking order for search results makes finding chemicals easier. Data sheets on each chemical provide physical properties, health hazards, information about air and water hazards, and recommendations for firefighting, first aid, and spill response.
Chemical Reactivity: This tool predicts what hazards could arise if chemicals were to mix.

CAMEO Chemicals was developed by NOAA in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard. The Web site is maintained by NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration, a program of the National Ocean Service.

WITH the 2007 hurricane season less than a month away, AT&T is offering important communications preparedness tips for consumers and small business owners alike.
“Because of its historic presence in the Southeast, AT&T has probably dealt with more hurricanes than any other communications company in North America,” said David Scobey, president of AT&T Southeast. “While no one can predict the impact of Mother Nature, we can all take precautions and have a plan and functioning communications equipment in place when hurricanes or any other types of disasters strike.”
Consumer Tips

• Have a family communications plan in place. Designate someone out of the area as a central contact and make certain all family members know who to contact if they become separated.
• Prepare for the worst-case scenario. During natural disasters, such as hurricanes or flooding, wireline services can be interrupted for extended periods of time because of damage caused by high winds or flooding. Wireless phones may serve as alternative means of communication.
• Be sure you have a “Hurricane Phone.” Be sure that you have at least one corded telephone that is not dependent on electricity in case of an electrical power outage. Cordless telephones usually have receivers that are electrically charged, and, thus, will not work if there is a power outage. Consider keeping a basic hard-wired phone and a wireless phone on hand for emergencies to enable communication with safety officials and loved ones, even when the power is out.
• Be radio-ready. Make sure that you have a working, battery-operated radio. The radio can keep you up to date on the latest weather reports, public safety issues and evacuation notices.
• Program all of your emergency contact numbers into your cell phone. Numbers should include the police department, fire station and hospital, as well as your family members.
• Keep your wireless phone batteries charged at all times. Have an alternate plan to recharge your battery in case of power outages (i.e. charging via your car charger, extra cell phone batteries, use of a disposable cell phone battery).
• Keep your wireless phone dry. The biggest threat to your device during a hurricane is water, so keep your equipment safe from the elements.
• Forward your home number to your wireless number in the event of an evacuation. (more…)