Westminster man works to improve emergency workers' effectiveness
By Nora Cardec

Thomas Connell, II is the chief operations officer of Disaster Management Solutions, Inc. based-in Westminster.

A local man is working to help design a product for emergency responders and the military to help them monitor their safety even when serving in other regions.

For two years now, Thomas Connell II has been running a project office for California-based Disaster Management Solutions in Westminster. The company provides a patient tracking system to be used in disaster situations whether natural or man-made.

"Our system is used by the Army, the National Guard and the Marines among other departments," said Connell.

Disaster Management Solutions is a software company that provides consulting services in three tracking main areas: people, equipment and personnel.

The Rapid Access of Privileges Training Operational Readiness (RAPTOR) is the major product of the company. This device provides secure credentials for first responders, which according to Connell, allows for better management during disasters and better coordination of first responders.

Through the use of a specially formulated identification card (identification and credentialing system) and the RAPTOR - a card reading device - allows places like hospitals and clinics as well as law enforcement and other emergency agencies to track information on massive vaccination efforts, emergency first responders and their credentials.

"Everything is encrypted and protected," said Connell of the product. "With today's technology, it is nearly impossible to break."

The device stores all types of personal identification information from birth certificate, marital status, children and health history to licenses, degrees, certifications and current profession.

It is currently being used on first responder personnel such as emergency management technicians, firefighters, police officers, doctors and nurses.

The RAPTOR ensures that first responders can do their job any time, anywhere since their credentials can be obtained immediately.

"We work exclusively for local, state and federal agencies," said Connell of the private company.

Disaster Management Solutions works in concert with homeland security offices and the Depart- ment of Defense in developing systems based on national standards.

"We provide tools that first responders need to manage large incidents," said Connell.

Connell serves as the chief operations officer of the Westminster office at 2 Narrows Road.

Prior to joining Disaster Management Solutions, Connell worked on special rescue services, urban search and rescue and was the metropolitan medical response system coordinator for the city of Worcester and central Massachusetts.

Connell has been a consulting contributor to training and education programs for the University of Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, the International Fire Service Training Association, the Oklahoma State University Fire Protection Publications, and the State of New York Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

Connell said he believes preparedness is essential because disasters cannot be prevented. He said first responders can be prepared to act quickly and effectively during times of crisis with systems such as the RAPTOR in place.

Connell, a former firefighter, is the principal architect of the company's RAPTOR Identification and Credentialing System.

The device has already been used during the Boston marathon, the Tall Ships celebration and other large-scale events to facilitate emergency medical attention.

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Nora Cardec is a correspondent for The Community Journal and can be reached at: ncardec@yahoo.com or (978) 827-3386. Ext. 10.