Disaster agency increases computing power

PROVIDENCE—The Rhode Island Disaster Medical Assistance Team is making sure its computers can handle the swine flu season.

The DMAT recently installed a new server to handle a 900 percent increase in computer hits.

The computer can quickly assemble volunteer medical professionals and send them to where they’re needed.  It also allows direct connections to hospital and state databases.

The system is geared to handle other statewide emergencies, too.

“It’s an all-hazard system.  So, it’s not specific just to medical. Any type of bioterrorism or terrorism or natural disaster, this system would be more than sufficient,“ Chief Technology Officer Peter Fucci said.

The new computer system is on a network run by the nonprofit company OSHEAN. It monitors the system 24 hours a day and can respond instantly if there is a problem.