The National Library of Medicine (NLM) has recently created the Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC). DIMRC utilizes the vast resources of library networks to collect, organize and disseminate health information and informatics research related to natural, accidental, or other disasters.
DIMRC is committed to providing health information during times of disaster and works in conjunction with federal, state, and local governments, as well as private organizations and local communities.
Resources available through DIMRC include:
• Disaster preparedness and response Web links
• Disaster and emergency response tools: Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders (WISER) and Radiation Event Medical Management (REMM)
• Toxicology and environmental health resources such as Hazardous Substances Databank
Associated NLM research activities include:
• Developing emergency information centers within NLM and NN/LM libraries, using disaster information specialist librarians to work with local emergency responder networks.
• Education and training in Web 2.0 applications as communication mechanisms
• Support of surveillance research technologies
~ Carolyn Biglow