(Editor's note: If the EPA's NPS BBS didn't get your modem beeping, see if this one sounds worth a try)
A new management tool is available to federal,state, and industry hazardous materials management and emergency response personnel. The Hazardous Materials Information Exchange (HMIX) is an electronic bulletin board sponsored jointly by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Transportation's Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA).
The HMIX is designed to provide emergency response, contingency planning personnel, and others involved in the hazardous materials community with a mechanism to communicate with one another and to provide a centralized database to allow them to pool there resources to better prevent,prepare for, or mitigate, hazardous materials emergencies.
Information in the HMIX can be obtained by either of two ways. Users who are equipped with a personal computer, a 300, 1200, or 2400 baud modem, and any communications software that can dial commercial (312) or FTS 972-3275. This service is FREE (the caller pays only for associated phone charges) and can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Those without a computer or who need assistance can call, toll free, 1-800-PLANFOR. An information systems technician is available to provide assistance Monday through Friday,8:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. Central Time. In Illinois, call 1-800-367-9592 for help.
The HMIX system consists of a bulletin service and seven information "conferences." The bulletin service provides current items of interest to system users. The information conferences includes listings of the following:
After logging onto the HMIX, the user is guided through the system by a menu-driven program that allows even a computer novice to select and access information with a series of one- or two-character commands that are displayed on the screen. The user may scan the bulletin,read today's mail for messages, or join a conference. A user who accesses the conference of laws and regulations, for example, will find regulations and laws divided into six categories: Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act 0f 1986 (SARA), Transportation, Archived Transportation, and Other. The user selects the desired listing, and it is displayed on the screen. A user joining the regional public-and private- sector hazmat information conference will find listings divided into 10 federal regions and eight information categories. The person then selects the region and information category of interest with a two-character command.
Since the HMIX was designed to provide a centralized "clearinghouse" and "exchange" system to pool resources from all over the country, users are encouraged to contribute to the system any information on training courses, programs,literature,or events that may be of interest or use to others.
Information can be added in two ways: (1) If the information is in machine-readable format, it can be uploaded directly from the users personal computer to the bulletin board. (2) The user may send the information to one of the HMIX Coordinators (FEMA or RSPA). FEMA AND RSPA are encouraging users to upload information directly to the board where possible.
A HMIX User's Guide, which provides detailed instructions on the operation of the bulletin board,is available to anyone who desires a copy. The User's Guide and HMIX brochure may be obtained by dialing toll-free 1-800-PLANFOR.
To access this BBS Call (312) (or FTS) 972-3275. 300, 1200, 2400 BAUD, FULL DUPLEX (8-N-1)
