In this Issue:

1) Symposium Technologies Deploys Powerful New Horizon EME Mobile Data System

2) Symposium Technologies’ Horizon EME to Provide Monitoring for Canadian Forces Base Gagetown

Symposium Technologies Deploys Powerful New Horizon EME Mobile Data System

Symposium Technologies is proud to announce the introduction and deployment of the EME Mobile –a fully integrated mobile solution that puts all the information sharing capabilities of the Horizon EME CAD into the hands of responding personnel. The system – while fully customizable to meet the needs of any client – incorporates a number of features and capabilities that are of specific use to Fire and EMS agencies – services traditionally less well-served by mobile data than police. The system has undergone extensive field-testing, and is now deployed operationally with COMM Fire and EMS District of Massachusetts.

The EME Mobile incorporates a map-based interface that enables responding personnel to see both the address and location of the incident as well as other nearby features that might be important, such as open and closed hydrants, locations of interest, road closures, and active burn permits, among others.

Responding personnel can update their status and record benchmarks in real time using a quick and easy touch-screen interface, thereby notifying dispatchers as to the changing situation and recording important response and incident times in the CAD’s audit trail. Another powerful feature of the EME Mobile is its ability to query the client’s RMS system directly in much the same way as the Horizon EME CAD, providing access to important premise information such as premise contacts, HAZMAT, and building diagrams.

Symposium’s Jeff Connors provides further details: “The power of this feature is even greater when you consider that the RMS systems being queried are provided by third-party partners. And, just like with the Horizon EME CAD, the interface between the mobile and the RMS is two-way – any appropriate information updated in the mobile such as status, time on scene and so forth, is transferred directly to the RMS. To our knowledge, there’s no other system available that can provide this level of integration between CAD and third-party RMS systems, and taking the capability mobile just brings it to a whole new level.”

Another powerful feature is GPS-based AVL, which enables in-field personnel to track the position of other responding vehicles in real time while also providing them with a snapshot of their own location - something that can be very valuable if they are responding in an unfamiliar area or need to know who’s first on scene.

The EME Mobile retains all the flexibility of the Horizon EME CAD, enabling clients to fully customize the system to reflect their specific needs, requirements, workflows, and operating procedures, resulting in a solution that fits the unique needs of each department. The system also works with a diverse range of GPS gateways and wireless networks, providing clients with the widest variety of options for implementation.

According to Janice Gannon, COMM’s IT Manager, “The new mobile data system works incredibly well and gives us a tremendous new capability in terms of getting the right information to first responders, quickly and accurately. Instead of having to grab a trip ticket, all the information they need is right there, in the truck. The feedback from the frontline has been nothing but enthusiastic, and it’s really positioned COMM as a leader in the region in terms of advanced technology.”

Based on the experience of COMM Fire, Symposium President Robert Day expects more public safety clients to adopt the EME Mobile over the coming year: “We already have firm orders, and many more have enquired about proceeding with implementation during the next budget cycle. What we’re being told is that this capability has been something fire departments have been looking for, and we’re the first company to market with such a comprehensive solution. This is definitely a source of pride for our whole team, and a demonstration of how as a company we continue to innovate in making technology work better for our clients.”

Symposium Technologies’ Horizon EME to Provide Monitoring for Canadian Forces Base Gagetown

Symposium Technologies in association with ESC has been chosen to provide computerized fire alarm monitoring for Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, a major military installation on Canada’s eastern seaboard. CFB Gagetown is a sprawling facility of over 1100 square kilometers, and is home to military units such as 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment, 4th Air Defence Regiment, 4th Engineer Support Regiment, and 403 Helicopter Squadron. As well, Gagetown is the center for many army-based training centers, including schools for Infantry, Armour, Engineering, Tactics and Artillery. With over 3500 permanent military and civilian employees, CFB Gagetown is also one of the biggest employers in the region.

The Fire Monitoring system will provide the base with 24/7 automated monitoring for over 150 buildings, including sensitive installations such as vehicle depots, hangars, radar stations, and facilities for weapons and ammunition storage. Alarms are generated when different types of fire detection devices such as smoke and heat sensors send an alarm signal to the receiver, which is in turn interfaced with the Horizon EME.

When an alarm is received the EME alerts the monitoring personnel, displaying the address, map location, and type of alarm, as well as premise-specific information such as building schematics, and location of the alarm within the structure. Other critical information - such as whether HAZMAT or explosives are present - is available for each specific area, greatly enhancing responder safety and effectiveness. As well, personnel can interact with the in-field devices through the system to perform maintenance and administration of the entire sensor network, shunting alarms, polling and querying devices, carrying out tests, and monitoring whether detectors are working normally.

Going forward, CFB Gagetown’s Horizon EME installation can be easily expanded to provide a host of additional capabilities, including security monitoring, dispatching, CCTV, GPS, and mobile data. The result is a uniquely flexible emergency management solution that provides the highest levels of safety, security, and monitoring, 24/7.

CFB Gagetown represents yet another success for Symposium, as interest in the Horizon EME continues to build steadily in military and associated government circles throughout North America. Currently, Symposium provides solutions for several major military installations, with yet more contract announcements expected in the coming months.
 

According to Robert Day, “The growth in our defense and homeland security business is following the same track and progression as our public safety business. It’s based on listening closely to what clients need, building products that reflect those needs to the highest degree, and delivering exactly what we say we will, on time and on budget.” It’s also based on working closely and successfully with other companies to deliver the full solution. For Gagetown, Symposium will be working again with Electronic Surveillance Corporation, which provides the specialized in-field detection devices and alarm receiver hardware that are integrated with the Horizon EME. As ESC’s President, Gordon E. Duggan says, “Working with Symposium greatly increases the overall success of the project. Their capability and professionalism ensure a superior solution, which in turn ensures a much more satisfied customer”.

For its part, Symposium is proud to continue deepening its relationship with the Canadian armed forces, and looks forward to putting in place a system that makes CFB Gagetown a more secure and safe environment, thereby helping Canadian soldiers fulfill their mission of creating a safer and more secure world.

For more information, or for those interested in seeing the system in action, please contact Symposium by emailing us at info@symposium911.com.

Next Issue

More contract announcements, new system enhancements, and lots of other great stuff!

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