Business building emergency plan in Austin | 11.22.2006 | 04:13:42 | Views: 5226 | ID: November 22 '06: A local CBS affiliate in Austin has reported the city launching a new communications strategy to link building owners and managers with emergency management officials and first responders using two-way radios. The radios will provide real-time communication abilities for the city emergency management officials and building owners and managers to help with logistics during an emergency. David Bailey, the Austin Fire Department's division chief of Homeland Security said, "To have people familiar with the buildings and their occupancy type familiar with those who live there and work there, to have the true experts working with us at the command post answering questions is a wonderful asset it's great to see them come aboard." St. Louis and Atlanta also have similar technologies in place while San Francisco is floating the idea. The program was unveiled after a year's worth of preparation and investment - the radio's cost of $800 will be paid for by the Building Owners and Managers Association of Austin. The radios cost about $20-$30 a month to operate. The system does not include public buildings. Responders and building owners and managers will be issued security badges to allow for quick identification during an emergency.
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