Emergency data proposed for first responder use
Members of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard testimony Jan. 22 on a bill that would provide first responders access to an emergency management database.
LB163, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Sue Crawford, would allow members of the public to voluntarily input information into a database, which would be available to law enforcement officers and first responders.
Crawford said the bill would help leverage current technology to help emergency planners, first responders and police.
“It creates a way for counties to provide valuable information to 911 and other first responders,” she said. “To have the ability to enter information about a child with autism, for example, or that someone may need extra care or attention is invaluable.”
Possible information that could be included in a person’s database profile would be a physical description, medical conditions or allergies, household information, primary language and emergency contacts.
The information collected for the database would be available only to emergency management agencies, public safety agencies and public safety answering points, like 911. The information would not be considered public and any person who intentionally discloses or releases information from the database would be guilty of a Class III misdemeanor.
Development of the database is estimated to cost $900,000 in fiscal year 2015-16 and $600,000 in FY2016-17.
Todd Miller of Rave Mobile Safety spoke in favor of the bill, saying that other states have successfully implemented similar statewide systems.
“[The Arkansas system] allowed first responders to quickly and easily access critical information over the life cycle of an emergency,” he said. “There was a case of a 6-year-old girl who went missing from school. First responders had access to her photo and she was located within 10 minutes.”
Autism Society of Nebraska President Megan Misegadis also supported the bill.
“Whether it be a wandering child, an abduction or a senior with dementia, this would make a difference,” she said. “It would dramatically reduce response times and increase successful rescues.”
Paul Johnson, southeast area director of the Nebraska Association of Emergency Management, opposed the bill, saying there are too many unanswered questions about implementing a statewide system.
“This technology is subject to continual change, ownership, alteration and levels of support,” Johnson said. “The objectives for and implementation associated with collecting this information should be discussed and defined at the local level because not all emergency management needs are the same.”
Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, Nebraska Emergency Management Agency director, testified in a neutral capacity. He said the lack of a statewide, centralized 911 system would make it difficult to implement the bill’s provisions.
“Having this information is an essential component of preparedness and planning component for all vulnerable persons in all jurisdictions,” he said. “However, additional measures must be taken to engage stakeholders before the adoption of this bill.”
The committee took no immediate action on the bill.
