NJDEP Communications Center Announces New and Improved Notification Data Acquisition System

By: Dave Kerr
Bureau of Communication & Support Services

During the past several months, the Bureau of Communications and Support Services (BCSS), along with representatives from the Bureau of Planning and Systems, installed and initiated a test version of the new Dial-in Incident Notification Acquisition System (DINA).

The current version of DINA allows governmental agencies from across the state to dial into the Bureau's server via telephone modem once a week and copy the last seven day's worth of data to a file on the user's computer. This method is very time consuming and each user has to have customized software in order to run the application. Anytime a current user changes a communications port or acquires a new computer, custom software must be made by BCSS for the user to be able to run the old DINA system.

The new version of DINA uploads (via a computer in the Communications Center) data taken from the Bureau's Incident Notification Application (INA) every 15 minutes to the Site Remediation Program's Internet web page. Designated users will be able to access the data as often as they wish by downloading it from the web site. The software to run the application and a printable user manual is included on the web page and can be easily downloaded. The only software requirement for the end user is an Internet browser.

With the new DINA, users can query, view and print data by location, type of chemical, date or responsible party. The software also allows for copying data to a file that can be imported into almost any database program in existence. This will allow for the construction of customized reports and databases to suit the end user's needs.

This new version of DINA is a product of many hours of cooperation between BCSS and the Bureau of Planning and Systems.

Currently, the new DINA is being tested by several outside entities and it is hoped that it will be available to all current users by May 1, 1998.