November 28, 2001
Partnership Will Offer Emergency Responders Powerful Mobile Command Abilities; Will Also Provide Wireless Integration to Leading CAD/RMS Systems
Aether Systems, Inc., (Nasdaq:AETH), a leading provider of wireless data products and services, and FieldSoft, Inc., the internationally recognized incident command software company, announced today a product integration agreement that will provide the first fully automated firefighter and emergency responder accountability system. As a result, fire and other incident commanders working in a mobile environment will be able to make more timely decisions that improve the management and effectiveness of emergency response.
The companies will integrate Aether PacketCluster mobile data applications with FieldSoft's FDonScene and PDonScene incident command and responder accountability software. The agreement also calls for integration of FDonScene with the Aether FireRMS 5.0 records management system (RMS).
"The agreement between FieldSoft and Aether makes the promise of a truly integrated, and real time, decision support and information management system for first responders a reality," stated FieldSoft co-founder Mark Bouchard. "Moreover, the Aether-FieldSoft agreement marshals resources necessary to make integrated mobile data and automated incident management systems available to non-traditional customers of such systems at the local, regional, and state level. Last -- and by no means least -- the agreement positions us to support a military force protection need for the real time management of first response fire, medical, and security forces."
"The importance of improving incident response and rescue has never been more apparent," said David A. Rosi, corporate vice president of Aether's mobile government division. "Departments needing to improve incident response must be able to deploy a robust solution, and not be pigeonholed with limited mobile functionality in CAD-centric products. Aether's extensive third-party CAD integration experience allows the Aether-Fieldsoft solution to meet most departments'needs, regardless of the dispatch system installed."
Impact on Emergency Response and Rescue
By using these automated tools, incident commanders can better focus on personnel, strategy, tactics and hazards, thus potentially saving the lives of their crews or of citizens. For example, the integrated package allows computer-aided dispatch (CAD) information -such as incident location, type, assigned units and crew members -- to be passed through Aether PacketCluster Patrol or PacketCluster Rescue to PDonScene or FDonScene on the mobile computer. With mobile access to data, a Battalion Chief, SWAT team leader, or any other command officer is better prepared to act decisively in response to unforeseen events such as the report of a lost or trapped firefighter, or an "officer down" radio transmission.
Immediate availability of this data, combined with the integrated Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) features within FDonScene and PDonScene - also ensures that the command team, the rapid intervention team, and other responders know not only who is on the scene but the last known locations of all responders.
In addition, FDonScene creates a log report of all activity at an incident. The logged events can be transmitted wirelessly through PacketCluster to a reporting package or appended to the FireRMS 5.0 NIFRS report. Subsequently, documentation of nearly all on-scene events (which many radio dispatchers attempt to log manually) are automatically logged for inclusion within the incident report. Better record keeping not only improves safety but also provides additional benefits, such as preserving post-incident evidence and incorporating incident data into future tactical training needs.
Future Product Development Plans
Future development efforts between the two companies will include integration of Aether's recently announced pioneering handheld solution, PocketRescue with FieldSoft's FDonScene. Subsequently, emergency responders will be able to use either handheld devices or mobile data computers, allowing anywhere, anytime access to critical incident information.
Product Availability
Bundled systems comprised of PacketCluster Patrol or PacketCluster Rescue and FDonScene or PDonScene are available now from Aether. Both companies' respective products are also available directly from Aether and FieldSoft. For more information please call (800) 400-6311.
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