EPAD Connect enables the creation and routing of a standard emergency message. It does so by sending a query to EPAD with incident location and type specified. EPAD, based of this information, returns a list of agencies, with their corresponding computer addresses, that wish to receive this type of information.

THE NEED

The Emergency Provider Access Directory allows local, state, and federal emergency authorities and public service providers to register for specific notifications by the type of emergency incident that has occurred and since EPAD is geospatially-enabled, agencies also have the ability to indicate the notification areas for which they have an interest.

To show the true value of EPAD as a routing directory, COMCARE needed a system that could send and receive messages based on the information and business rules in EPAD. This system is called EPAD Connect.

COMCARE'S APPROACH

The EPAD Connect prototype is a Web-based, geospatially-enabled messaging and communications system. EPAD Connect allows authorized agencies and individuals, once they are registered in EPAD, to send standardized alert messages without previously knowing the specific names and addresses of recipient agencies. EPAD Connect interoperates with EPAD, which evaluates message incident and location information and returns valid recipient information back to EPAD Connect. EPAD Connect then sends messages directly to the agencies that have requested notification. EPAD Connect also allows agencies to respond to incident alerts, query and view stored alerts, and provides an interface in which EPAD information can be queried and viewed. It uses the new EDXL data standards facilitated through the Department of Homeland Security.

Through EPAD Connect, COMCARE is demonstrating the true value of interoperability in emergency situations. EPAD and EPAD Connect together enable instant, interoperable communications and accurate notification of emergency events and related situations.

FROM VISION TO REALITY

EPAD Connect will continue to be used in several emergency communications demonstrations, both nationally and regionally. COMCARE plans to develop a production version of it as EPAD is developed. Once complete, EPAD Connect will be available for use free to agencies registered in EPAD. It is also designed so that technology vendors can incorporate the system into their existing product offerings. This approach will allow them to jumpstart their own development and offer geographically targeted messaging to their customer base much faster and at a lesser cost.

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