Philadelphia unveils new emergency communication system

| 08.10.2007 | 07:25:186937 |

August 10 '07: United Press International reported in Philadelphia a new emergency communication system which has gone online. The announcement was made by officials working with the Emergency Management and Public Safety Office in the Southeastern Counter Terrorism Task Force. The system was built by Roam Secure and its Roam Secure Alert Network services.

Frank Punzo, the deputy commissioner of communications for Philadelphia said in a written statement, "The greater Philadelphia region is a strategic area" between the Washington D.C. and New York City metropolitan areas. "We have nuclear facilities, major refineries, waterways, ports, roadways and other critical infrastructure."

Officials said they hope the new network will help them exchange information and increase situational awareness and interoperability. About 25,000 first responders in the Philadelphia area will be able to use the new network. The new network will contain information about weather, incidents, traffic conditions, crime and Amber alert notification.

Other regions near the Philadelphia metro area with existing networks using the RSAN system will be able to plug into the network to share information.