January 2004              return to the newsletter contents page

Responder Knowledge Base Takes Shape

Safety equipment distributors and manufacturers should be familiar with a new online database designed to help local fire, police and EMT responders identify proper PPE.

The nation’s homeland security efforts depend in large part on local first responders to handle crisis situations as they arise.  A lot of federal dollars have been made available over the past two-years at the local level for purchase of equipment and materials to protect responders,

but there has been little guidance available on what is a legitimate product and what is illegitimate.

The Responder Knowledge Base (RKB) is a project of the National Memorial Institute for Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT).  The intent of the RKB is to show responders

• What products are out there?

• Have they been tested?

• To what standards?

• Who can they talk to who have used the items?

• What grant money is available?

The site, www.rkb.mipt.org, went live October 31, 2003. The RKB attempts to provide easy access to product information and consolidate the product listings of the Inter Agency Board’s Standard Equipment List (SEL) and the Office of Domestic Preparedness’ Authorized Equipment List (AEL).

According to MIPT’s Donald Hewitt, the RKB is a tool to provide responders with easier access to product information.  One of the most important features of the RKB is access to opinions from real users on how products perform in the field.