Terrorism prevention center will help first responders. (Security Beat).

First responders and emergency planners now can tap into a national, internet-based network to share information about counter-terrorism and consequence management.

The Oklahoma City-based National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT) and DFI International, a think-tank in Washington, D.C., teamed up to establish this network, whose services will be free of charge.

"We know a great deal about preventing, deterring or mitigating the effects of terrorism," but the lessons and exercises "are scattered in numerous sites across the country," said Dennis Reimer, director of MIPT.

The institute, established through private and public grants after the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City, will work with DPI to collect information, which will be placed in a standardized format.

Emergency responders will have instant access on the internet to the "lessons learned," Reimer said.

First responders will also be able to benefit from "best practices advice" in various situations, Reimer said. These tips will be generated from comprehensive research and analysis that will have the input from individual first responders and emergency planners around the country, he said.

The network will be operational within 12 months, according to Reimer.