Free NIOSH software available to monitor safety, health of emergency responders
Posted September 18, 2017
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) created a new software platform designed to track and monitor emergency response and recovery worker activities during all phases of emergency response. The ERHMS InfoManager™ is a custom-built product for emergency responders to use following a natural disaster or other public health emergency.
The software product links emergency responder organizations to the Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance (ERHMS™) framework. The free software is available to anyone involved in the deployment and protection of emergency responders, which could include incident command staff, response organization leadership, health, safety, and medical personnel, and emergency responders.
The ERHMS InfoManager uses data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for creating forms, capturing data, and analyzing information specific to emergency response situations. In addition, the tool allows users to:
- Create responder profiles;
- Record response incidents and map incident locations;
- Assign responders to an incident roster;
- Design forms and surveys using custom and pre-built templates;
- Request information from responders by using forms and surveys; and
- View and analyze forms and survey responses.
NIOSH says it developed the ERHMS framework, along with other agencies, in response to the collapse of the World Trade Center. The subsequent health problems experienced by emergency responders highlighted an urgent need for improved health monitoring and surveillance of responders.
Further, NIOSH also developed a new landing page on its website for information related to emergency responder health monitoring and surveillance. Visitors to the webpage will be able to find:
- The ERHMS framework;
- Online training tools;
- The ERHMS InfoManager software, user manual, and training videos; and
- Additional resources.
The J. J. Keller® Safety Management Suite, formerly KellerOnline®, provides safety professionals with the tools and applications to help drive performance, reduce risk, and ensure compliance.
J. J. Keller's FREE Workplace SafetyClicks™ email newsletter brings quick-read workplace safety and compliance news right to your email box.