Data access system and method

A system for providing information to emergency response personnel between a call for help and arrival at the scene of an emergency, said system comprising:

• means for providing emergency response personnel with identification information on a business or facility;
• means for providing emergency response personnel with information on the hazardous materials reported to be located at said business or facility;
• means for providing emergency response personnel with information on the reported location of said hazardous materials reported to be at said business or facility;
• means for providing emergency response personnel with information on the chemical properties of said hazardous materials;
• wherein said information on said business or facility, the hazardous materials at said business or facility, the reported location of said hazardous materials and information on the chemical properties of said hazardous materials is made available to emergency response personnel on a communication device following the receipt of a call for help from a business or facility where hazardous materials are stored.

An apparatus for providing information to emergency response personnel between a call for help and arrival at the scene of an emergency, said apparatus comprising:

• means for gaining access to a secure database using a wireless or other communication device;
• means for obtaining information from said secure database about the use of the site of the emergency;
• means for obtaining information from said secure database about the hazardous materials reported to be stored at the site of the emergency;
• means for obtaining information from said secure database about the reported location of the hazardous materials stored at the site of the emergency;
• means for obtaining information from said secure database about the chemical properties of said hazardous chemicals including:
• information on the proper clothing to be worn in the presence of the hazardous material, information on containment methods for the hazardous materials;
• information on reducing the hazard associated with said hazardous materials.

A system for providing information typically used by emergency response personnel, said system comprising:

• a secure database including one or more items of information selected from a group including:
• i) location identification information
• ii) hazardous material presence information;
• iii) hazardous material location information;
• iv) hazardous material chemical properties information;
• v) information about the presence and location of elderly or infirm human beings;
• vi) information about the presence and location of children;
• vii) information about the presence and location of animals;
• means for providing access to said secure database.