WO2004049198A1

WO2004049198A1 - System for providing emergency site information

Info

Publication number: WO2004049198A1
Application number: PCT/CA2003/001803
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carole Dubeau; Richard Dubeau
Original assignee: Carole Dubeau; Richard Dubeau
Priority date: 2002-11-22
Filing date: 2003-11-21
Publication date: 2004-06-10
Also published as: CA2410142A1; AU2003286027A1

Abstract

A standalone databank accessible by emergency personnel and providing site and occupant information, pertinent to an emergency situation, is disclosed. The databank is designed to be easily implemented using commonly available and fairly inexpensive hardware and software. The databank includes a plurality of files, each file representing one location, site or dwelling. Each file contains all emergency pertinent information about the site and occupants. The databank may be downloaded to portable computers and taken along during an emergency response, permitting the emergency response team to review the information en route and prepare the best course of action. With this information emergency response teams may respond to the emergency more quickly and with more confidence.

Description

System for Providing Emergency Site Information

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is the first application filed for the present invention.

MICROFICHE APPENDIX [0002] Not applicable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates in general to a system for providing site information in the event of an emergency. More particularly the present invention relates to a standalone databank, or database, accessible by emergency personnel that will provide site and occupant information vital to an emergency situation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In an emergency situation police and firefighters would greatly benefit from prior knowledge of the site or building they are about to enter. For example knowing the location of utilities shut offs, the location of hazardous, dangerous and fatal materials with additional pertinent information about these items, the location of stairs and number of steps can greatly assist in maneuvering through a location and diminish the risk to emergency personnel. Further, this knowledge increases the speed with which the emergency personnel can respond. Additionally, information pertaining to the likely occupants of the building, such as medical highlights or special needs, would allow them to better prepare for the emergency.

[0005] In the past, in order to have site information available at the scene, volumes of documents about the site have been hauled to the scene and must be inspected during the emergency. Also emergency contact names and numbers, such as the company and person responsible for the utilities and or information on handling of other potentially dangerous situations, as for example hazardous materials, needed to be tracked down. This is an obvious waste of precious moments that can be better used to save a building, a person or other occupant. In a residential emergency the emergency response team must enter a home without knowledge of lurking dangers such as an aggressive dog or an oxygen tank. Due to this they must proceed slowly risking their lives and those of the occupants.

[0006] Communication problems can further complicate an emergency response. In metropolitan areas, if the emergency is widespread, likely wireline, regular telephone, and perhaps cellular communications may be down. In rural areas cellular, radio and even satellite communication is not reliable. While traveling through an area, communication may be degraded and even suspended as a vehicle passes behind a mountain or descends into a valley. Further, it is time consuming for an emergency response team to utilize wireline communications, upon arrival at an emergency site. It would be best to have the necessary information on-hand during an emergency response. In this manner the site information could be reviewed en route to the emergency location.

[0007] US Patent 5,793,882 to Piatek describes a personnel accountability system using machine-readable data attached to the emergency response person in the form of an ID tag. This data can include a list of skills and health concerns which the emergency commander will use to dispatch that individual to a specific location or task or to provide emergency care in the event the personnel is injured. Piatek also discusses a similar machine-readable data attached to a site, in a lockbox of sorts that will periodically transmit the information or will transmit when interrogated by a receiver. The site information may include floor plans, blueprints, photographs of interior portions of the site, fire inspection reports, identification of hazardous materials, utility shut- offs and gas lines and more. Although such a system has advantages, it may not be an attractive or practical solution to many communities due to cost and difficulty to implement. Further the likelihood of tampering of the lockbox information may be high, putting the system in jeopardy. Users may be reluctant to provide site information in machine-readable format as access would be difficult to control.

[0008] US Patent 5,805,670 to Pons describes a private notification system where a subscriber provides pre-selected recipients', such as family and friends, contact information. This information is used to contact a person who can provide information about the person placing the 9-1-1 call. Further, the subscriber can provide emergency care information to the emergency care information database. This database is accessed during a 9-1-1 call. A fairly complex private notification system is describe and requires two call processing personnel, duplication in the equipment to serve them and wireline and or wireless communication capabilities between them and the emergency response team. Unfortunately wireless communication is not always reliable in rural areas rendering the use of this system as equally unreliable. Also, the emergency care information database does not provide site information that would be immensely useful to the emergency response team.

[0009] The Canadian Patent Application 2,307,998 to Genee describes a hospital implementation of a visual display of room information. This system is intended to track what is in a room and the condition of that item, for example occupied or not. In this manner staff can better plan room allocation. This system is not for an emergency response situation such as a fire or some sort of criminal altercation. It does not extend to a community environment and its unique needs. [0010] It is obvious that the above inventions do not address the need for an emergency information system, adaptable to a community, affordable, portable, easily implemented and that provides pertinent site and likely occupant information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a reliable emergency information system, adaptable to a community, affordable, portable to a site, easily implemented and that provides pertinent site and likely occupant information.

[0012] In one object of the invention there is provided a standalone emergency information database that is easily accessible en route to and at an emergency location.

[0013] Therefore, in accordance with the present invention there is provided an emergency site information system comprising a standalone computer including a memory for storing an information database wherein the information of the database includes site and occupant data. The system further includes a plurality of subscriber computers in communication with the standalone computer for accessing the information database, the subscriber computers providing the site and occupant data to the information database via the communication. The system also includes a plurality of portable computers in communication with the standalone computer and for accessing and copying the information database.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided an emergency site information database that is accessed, via a secure communication, and read only by authorized emergency personnel, wherein the emergency personnel require a passcode to copy or access the information. [0015] In accordance with another aspect of the invention the emergency site information database includes a plurality of files, some corresponding to site information, others to map information. The files include templates specific to site and occupant information.

[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the invention the files of the emergency site information database includes a neighbourhood layout plan and a site floor plan. The site floor plan provides layout and content information of each floor or elevation.

[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the invention the files of the emergency site information database include software hyperlink commands to link other files or portions of the same files or templates. The other files, portions of files, or templates providing additional information.

[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the invention the emergency site information system provides site and occupant information to emergency personnel at, or en route to, an emergency site. The site information system comprises a first computer having a memory, wherein the memory stores an information database. The system also includes a portable computer in communication with the first computer and also including a memory, typically a hard drive, the portable computer having access to the information database wherein the first computer further includes copy instructions for copying the database to the memory of the portable computer. The copying process permits the entire contents of the information database, or a portion thereof, to be copied. The portion copied is selected as it is pertinent to the specific area of responsibility of the emergency personnel. The portable computer accompanies emergency personnel to the emergency site. [0019] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of providing emergency site information is disclosed. A database is created by combining or relating a plurality of files, each file including one or a plurality of templates, wherein each template is specific to site and occupant information. Internet access to the database is provided to a plurality of subscribers wherein the subscribers enter corresponding site and occupant information into each template. The database integrity is maintained by periodically updating the site and occupant information of each template. Finally, a secure access to the database, for copying the database onto portable computers, is provided. The portable computer is taken along to an emergency and provides emergency site information at the emergency site.

[0020] An advantage of the present invention is the affordability of the system. Commonly available hardware and software is used and data entry and maintenance is generally done by the subscriber and is the responsibility of the subscriber.

[0021] Another advantage of the present invention is the simple structure of the database. A plurality of files, held together by a common restriction, such as belonging to the same municipality, and formed of a plurality of templates, hyperlinked to one another, is a common practice. This simple structure reduces costs, maintenance time and the probability of database crashes. What is new is using this database structure to house emergency site and occupant information, to make it accessible for copying onto portable computers and providing the portable computers to emergency response teams.

[0022] Yet another advantage of the present invention is the accessibility of the emergency information database. It resides with the emergency response vehicle so that information may be accessed en route to the emergency and a plan for response organized.. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended diagrams and illustrations, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the Residential Emergency

Information System of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 is an illustration of the General Information template of the

Residential Emergency Information Databank;

[0026] Figure 3 is an illustration of the Neighborhood Layout template of the

Residential Emergency Information Databank;

[0027] Figure 4 is an illustration of the Floor Plan template of the

Residential Emergency Information Databank;

[0028] Figure 5 is an illustration of the Utilities Information template of the

Residential Emergency Information Databank;

[0029] Figures 6 and 7 are illustrations of Individual Information templates of the Residential Emergency Information Databank in which the Individual Information templates are more suitable for adult occupants;

[0030] Figure 8 is an illustration of the Optional Individual Information templates of the Residential Emergency Information Databank in which this Individual Information template is suitable for a child or person of limited mental abilities; [0031] Figure 9 is an illustration of the Pet Information template of the

Residential Emergency Information Database.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENT [0032] The system of the present invention includes a standalone

Emergency Information Database accessible to emergency personnel only, such as fire fighters, police and ambulance personnel. The database contains site and occupant information. The system is designed to be easily implemented using commonly available hardware and software making the system affordable to all who wish to have such protection. The system may be available on a subscription basis, for example billed monthly or yearly. It is ideal for residences, schools and businesses or any other location an emergency response team may need to access.

[0033] Turning to Figure 1 , a computer system, generally shown as 2, includes or stores the Information Database in its memory, either on the hard drive or any other storage medium such as a digital video disk (DVD), compact disk (CD) or magnetic medium. The database may be implemented in any format such as an Excel™ or Access™ spread sheet or any other program with search and hyperlink capabilities, although any database format is acceptable. As is common in computer systems, computer system 2 includes a workstation 8 complete with monitor, to display the database information, and keyboard and mouse to key-in, access or revise the database information.

[0034] The emergency information database includes all pertinent information, for an emergency situation, regarding a site and its potential occupants. The database includes a plurality of information files 4, each file being pertinent to a specific site or 9-1-1 address. Using 9-1-1 addresses simplifies the identification of a site or dwelling and is already commonly in practice and used by emergency personnel. Each file 4, pertinent to a specific site, includes several file templates, each with its own specific information. Each file 4, of the present invention, includes a General Information template 20, a Neighborhood Layout overview 30, a Floor Plan template 40, Utilities Information template 50, Individual Information templates 60, 70 and 80 and an optional Pet Information template 90. Each file 4, with its associated templates, contains all the necessary and pertinent site and occupant information. Examples of the templates, comprising an exemplary file 4 of the Information Database of the present invention, are depicted in Figures 2 to 9.

[0035] Turning now to Figure 2, there is illustrated the General Information template 20. This template is part of the information record of each file 4 of the Information Database. This template 20 includes such information as the complete 911 address 22 and 26, or an optional municipal address and surrounding area information 28, names of the main occupants 23, name of the owner 25, neighbours' names 27 and any landmarks 21. The landmarks 21 , nearest street 28 and provide useful information to aid in the quick location of the site.

[0036] Each template within a file 4, may include software link commands, known as hyperlinks, which link to other templates of the same file 4 or even other files of the Information Database. Hyperlinks are used to access additional information, stored in another template or file. All that is required is a left click of the computer mouse in the area for which more information is required. For example, if more information is required on the location of the site, a mouse click on the address box 22 or 26 will display the Neighborhood Layout template 40 of the same file 4. Also, a mouse click on the "map of area" box 24 will hyperlink to another file, accessing a map of the general area.

[0037] Figure 3 depicts an exemplary diagram of the Neighborhood layout

30 providing an overview of the immediate area 34 and the location of nearby dwellings or buildings. The site of interest 32 may be colored, highlighted or bolded so as to bring immediate attention to it. This diagram provides clear and concise directions for the emergency response team to easily locate the site or dwelling. Preferably the layout provides the neighbours' names, locations and contact information in the event communication with them is important. It is to be understood that the exemplary Neighbourhood Layout diagram is but one portion of each file 4 of the Emergency Information Database of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 4 shows an exemplary Floor Plan diagram 40. This diagram

40 is also included as a portion or template of each of the files 4. The diagram 40 is a basic floor plan of the site or dwelling, providing layout and content information of each floor or elevation. Details as to the placement or location, and other necessary information, regarding heating and electrical panels, hydrants, exits and entrances, and potential dangers such as oxygen tanks, toxic waste and an aggressive dog are indicated on Floor Plan diagram 40. The diagram 40 also includes additional information such as up and down direction of stairs, number of steps, which way doors open and hyperlink to water shut-off instructions. The likely location of all potential occupants is indicated, for example the name and age of the occupants 42 are included in the area of their usual respective bedrooms.

[0039] Icons are used to flag emergency personnel to information of interest in an emergency. For example, a heart shaped icon 44, or other medical icon, next to a person's name may alert the emergency personnel that this person has health issues and permit the emergency personnel to prepare in advance. A pet icon 46, shown in diagram 40 as smiling faces, indicates the likely hiding place of a pet in distress. Other icons may include danger icons to alert of the presence and location of oxygen tanks, toxic waste, or any other items which may pose or bring a risk to the emergency personnel. [0040] Similar to the General Information template 20, hyperlinks are used to access additional and more detailed information about any item included in the Floor Plan 40. For example, additional details relating to any icon may be accessed by selecting the icon and left clicking on it with a computer mouse. This action will cause the information of interest to be displayed. If a pet icon 46 is selected the Pet Information template 90, seen in Figure 9, of the file 4 is displayed. If the health heart icon 44 is selected the related Individual Information template 60, 70 or 80 or an optional Health Information template is accessed and displayed.

[0041] Hyperlinks may be available for Individual Occupant Information, water shut off instructions or any other item in the Floor Plan diagram 40.

[0042] Figure 5 shows an exemplary Utility Information template. This template includes the company name, contact names and contact information, such as phone numbers that may be useful in an emergency situation. It is accessed via hyperlink at the Floor Plan template. The Utilities template may also include information such as location of water or natural gas shut off valves and any special instructions deemed necessary or useful.

[0043] The Information Database further includes pertinent information on every occupant of the dwelling as well as pets, if any. The personal or Individual Information templates 60, 70 and 80 of each file 4 of the Information Database comprise tag items such as name, age, date of birth, nicknames, next of kin, medical highlights, special needs, height, weight and may include an image or photograph 62, 72, 82 of the individual. Where children or persons with limited mental abilities are concerned, information on hiding places 84 and contact people 86 may be provided. Any physical impairments would be recorded in the medical highlight boxes 68, 78, 88. The Pet Information template 90 of each file 4 has the tag items of name, gender, type, age, temperament, handling instructions, and possible hiding locations as well as veterinarian information and people to call to care for the animal in the event the owner is not able to. Again an image or photograph 92 of the pet is optional. Of course, other information, not specifically mentioned, may be provided for any individual, pet and the site itself.

[0044] The system of the present invention, shown in Figure 1 , includes a standalone Emergency Information Database stored in the memory of computer system 2. The database includes a plurality of files 4, including one or a plurality of templates. The templates form a backbone on which the data is incorporated. The computer system 2 can physically be located anywhere but must be accessible via the World Wide Web or Internet by any subscriber computer 6. The subscriber is responsible for the initial entering and updating of all information in his or her file 4. To create the data, or to enter the site and personal information into the database, the subscriber accesses the database via the web, and after entering a passcode is provided access to his or her file 4. The subscriber than enters the corresponding information into each location of each template of his or her file 4. Where a subscriber does not have access to the Internet a library computer 10 may be used or another publicly available computer 12 may be made available for this purpose at any central location such as a fire hall or other emergency building. Where a subscriber is not familiar with Internet access, the data may be entered by department staff or volunteers using the emergency department's workstation 8. In this instance the responsibility rests with the subscriber to provide accurate information.

[0045] It is in the subscriber's best interest to maintain and update the information in his or her file 4. Again the Internet is used to access the file 4, of the Information Database and updates may be made. Alternatively, a subscriber may request an update via phone or mail, by providing the updated information. To ensure the information in the database is properly maintained, a reminder may be sent to all subscribers on a regular basis, such as yearly, requesting that the database be updated.

[0046] Frequently, and preferably on a scheduled basis, the contents of the

Emergency Information Database are downloaded to, or shared with, many locations, such as emergency dispatch facilities or departments, for example fire halls and police stations. The access to the Emergency Information Database may be preferably wireline 14 or optionally wireless16 but must be a secure link as private and sensitive information is stored within.

[0047] The Emergency Information Database is accessed using a secure passcode and the entire contents, or portion thereof is downloaded to portable computers or laptops 18 located at the many emergency dispatch facilities. In this manner, each dispatch facility has an up to date copy of the database pertinent to their specific area of responsibility, on one, or preferably, a plurality of portable computers.

[0048] Preferably, each emergency vehicle has assigned to it a portable computer 18 to which the emergency information database has been downloaded. Alternatively, one or more portable computers 18, with the emergency information database stored in its memory, is available to emergency response personnel and is taken along during an emergency response. In this manner the emergency response personnel may access the information in preparation for arrival to the site. Alternatively the database may be accessed via a database administrator and the information relayed to the emergency response team via radio, telephone, hand held data communication device or remote fax where communication is reliable.

[0049] When accessed, the Emergency Information Database will query for a key descriptor such as a 9-1-1 address 26, street address 22, owner 25 or occupant 23 or any other key descriptor that will link to the correct file 4. Once the file is accessed the Emergency Information Database firstly displays the General Information template 20 of Figure 2. Using software hyperlink commands, other templates and diagrams may be linked and more specific information accessed.

[0050] For example the 9-1-1 address or street address, using hyperlinks, links to and displays an area overview and street outline, as exemplified in the Neighbourhood Layout diagram 30, providing clear and concise directions for the emergency response team to easily locate the site or dwelling. Preferably the Neighbourhood Layout diagram 30 provides the neighbours' names and contact information in the event communication with them is important.

[0051] The residential, business, or school, emergency information data is displayed next and includes a basic floor plan 40 of the site or building, as exemplified in Figure 4. The location regarding heating and electrical panels, hydrants, exits and entrances, toxic waste, potential dangers (such as oxygen tanks and aggressive dog) are clearly indicated. The floor plan 40 includes likely location of all potential occupants, such as the location of their bedrooms or, in the event of a business, their offices.

[0052] Links to the personal information is possible from the floor plan, or alternatively from the General Information template 20. Personal information is provided for each occupant of the dwelling as well as pets, if any. The personal information portion of the database comprises name, age, date of birth, nicknames, next of kin, medical highlights, special needs, height, weight and may include an image or picture of the individual. The pet information captured by the database is name, gender, type, age, temperament, handling instructions, and possible hiding locations as well as handling instructions, veterinarian information and people to call to care for the animal in the event the owner is not able to. Again an image or picture of the pet is optional. Of course other personal or pet information may be provided.

[0053] Using software hyperlink commands, this portion of the database may link to further information such as more detail pertaining to medical or special needs or instructions such as water shut off instructions. A medical highlight may include an allergy while the more detailed information may provide alternative ways to treat an allergic reaction that, in the past, has worked best for this individual.

[0054] Armed with this information, emergency response teams may respond to an emergency with more confidence and more quickly attend to the necessary tasks, such as turning off electrical power. Further, they can enter a dwelling prepared to deal with an aggressive dog, or oxygen tanks. In this manner injury to the emergency response personnel is minimized and response time may be reduced so that the number of lives saved may be increased. This system allows emergency personnel to know in advance the lay out of the emergency site therefore significantly diminishing the retrieval time of persons and pets.

[0055] To achieve the faster response time the site information must be kept up to date and accurate. It is the responsibility of the subscriber to update the database when changes occur. A reminder may be sent to the subscriber on a regular basis, such as yearly, requesting that the database be updated and verified for accuracy.

[0056] Security and privacy is important and thus only designated personnel will be able to access the database through security measures. Electronic security such as encryption during downloading of data from the Information Database, pass code access, extra fire-walls and scanning of usage are some measures to be taken to ensure a high level of privacy.

[0057] The embodiment of the invention described above is intended to be exemplary only. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

We Claim:

1. An emergency site information system for providing site and occupant information to emergency personnel at, or en route to, an emergency site comprising: a. a first computer including a memory which stores an information database; b. a portable computer in communication with the first computer and including a memory, the portable computer having access to the information database; c. the first computer further including copy instructions for copying the database to the memory of the portable computer; wherein the portable computer accompanies emergency personnel to an emergency site.

2. An emergency site information system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first computer memory is a hard drive.

3. An emergency site information system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portable computer memory is a hard drive.

4. An emergency site information system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the access to the information database is secured with a passcode.

5. An emergency site information system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the entire contents of the information database is copied to the portable computer.

6. An emergency site information system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a portion of the information database is copied to the portable computer, that portion being pertinent to the specific area of responsibility of the emergency personnel.

7. An emergency site information system comprising: a. a standalone computer including a memory which stores an information database, the information of the database including site and occupant data; b. a plurality of subscriber computers in communication with the standalone computer for accessing the information database; c. the subscriber computers providing the site and occupant data to the information database via the communication; and d. a plurality of portable computers in communication with the standalone computer and for accessing and copying the information database.

8. The emergency site information system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the information database includes a plurality of files corresponding to site and occupant information.

9. The emergency site information system as claimed in claim 7 wherein a number of the plurality of files hold map information.

10. The emergency site information system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the communication between the standalone computer and the plurality of portable computers is a secure communication.

11. The emergency site information system of claim 7 wherein the site and occupant data includes the 9-1-1 address of the site.

12. The emergency site information system of claim 7 wherein the site and occupant data includes a neighbourhood layout plan.

13. The emergency site information system of claim 7 wherein the site and occupant data includes a floor plan of the site, the floor plan providing layout and content information of each floor or elevation.

14. The emergency site information system of claim 8 wherein the files include software hyperlink commands for linking to other files or portions of the same file.

15. The emergency site information system of claim 8 wherein the files include icons, the icons having specific meaning.

16. The emergency site information system of claim 15 wherein the icons include icons specific for indicating health problems.

17. The emergency site information system of claim 15 wherein the icons also provide hyperlinks to portions of the file relating to the icon.

18. The emergency site information system of claim 7 wherein the subscriber computer is a publicly available computer utilized by a subscriber.

19. The emergency site information system of claim 7 wherein the information database will query for a descriptor when accessed.

20. A standalone emergency site information database comprising: a. a plurality of files, each file including a plurality of templates; b. the templates containing information pertaining to a building or occupants of the building; c. the templates further including software hyperlink commands for accessing other templates of the same file or other files of the information database.

21. The standalone emergency site information database as claimed in claim 20 wherein the files comprise either site information files or map files.

22. The standalone emergency site information database as claimed in claim 21 wherein each site information file relates to a single site.

23. A standalone emergency site information database as claimed in claim 20 wherein the templates further include icons, the icons having a specific meaning.

24. The emergency site information database of claim 23 wherein the icons include icons specific for indicating health problems.

25. The emergency site information database of claim 23 wherein the icons also include software hyperlink commands to other templates, the other templates providing additional information relating to the icon.

26. The emergency site information database of claim 21 wherein the database is implemented as an Excel™ spreadsheet.

27. A method of providing emergency site information comprising: a. creating a database, the database including a plurality of files, each file including one or a plurality of templates, each template specific to site and occupant information; b. providing access to the database to a plurality of subscribers; c. entering corresponding site and occupant information into each template; d. maintaining integrity of the database by periodically updating the site and occupant information of each template; e. providing a secure access to the database for copying the database onto portable computers; wherein the portable computer provides emergency site information at the emergency site.

28. A method of providing emergency site information as claimed in claim

27 wherein the access provided to subscribers is via the Internet

29. A method of providing emergency site information as claimed in claim

28 wherein the subscriber enters site and occupant information into each template.

30. A method providing emergency site information as claimed in claim 27 wherein the database is copied to the portable computers on a periodic basis.