Bulletins 210-214 in December 1999 covered aspects of RIMS (Response Information Management System) and some details of access by counties and cities. Since then there has been a major change in the way the system is accessed. Instead of direct telephone connect it now uses the Internet.
At the time the prior bulletins were written the system was based on dialup RIMS connections. OES has developed and implemented an Internet version of RIMS. Users of the internet version have the same functionality as the regular users had with the dialup system. However, the internet application does NOT require Lotus Notes and can be accessed from any terminal that has internet access. Accessed that is, by those authorized for access by State OES with a system recognized name and ID. Currently this is called "NetRIMS", although that will change soon to just "RIMS".
RIMS is a tool that State OES uses for managing and archiving the data that is generated in connection with an incident, such as a diaster. It is also used to communicate with other agencies and governments, such as the Counties (Operational Areas), Special Districts, California Department of Forestry, Law Enforcement and Fire Response Agencies, FEMA, California Utility Agencies and others.
Utility responders that have participated in the California Utilities Emergency Association (CUEA, Inc.) EOC training have been trained in the use of RIMS. Data (information) received from the utilities during emergencies is summarized by CUEA responders and then put into RIMS.
Each Operational Area in CA - a County and all jurisdictions - other agencies and some utilities have a RIMS terminal that is a dedicated Lotus Notes server, or they connect via telephone to State OES's servers in several locations in the State.
Technical requirements for this new system are these:
To access the system go to www.oes.ca.gov and select the NetRims area. For governments and agencies that have access, their ACS Officers should discuss with their Coordinator how they can also obtain access. At State OES Communications Centers at Sacramento and the three OES Administrative Regions, the ACS unit has one or more terminals dedicated to NETRIMS 24 hours a day.
RIMS is a tool that State OES uses for managing and archiving the data that is generated in connection with an incident, such as a diaster. It is also used to communicate with other agencies and governments, such as the Counties (Operational Areas), Special Districts, California Department of Forestry, Law Enforcement and Fire Response Agencies, FEMA, California Utility Agencies and others.
Utility responders that have participated in the California Utilities Emergency Association (CUEA, Inc.) EOC training have been trained in the use of RIMS. Data (information) received from the utilities during emergencies is summarized by CUEA responders and then put into RIMS.
Each Operational Area in CA - a County and all jurisdictions - other agencies and some utilities have a RIMS terminal that is a dedicated Lotus Notes server, or they connect via telephone to State OES's servers in several locations in the State.
Technical requirements for this new system are these:
- A Pentium II, III or Celeron computer 166MHz or better
- 32 MB memory
- 28.8 kbps modem or better
- Internet Explorer 4.0 or Netscape 4.5 or newer and an ISP capable of supporting 28.8 kbps or better
To access the system go to www.oes.ca.gov and select the NetRims area. For governments and agencies that have access, their ACS Officers should discuss with their Coordinator how they can also obtain access. At State OES Communications Centers at Sacramento and the three OES Administrative Regions, the ACS unit has one or more terminals dedicated to NETRIMS 24 hours a day.
RSS Feed
