Maryland responders to be issued ID cards to help expedite emergency field response | 01.26.2007 | 07:15:18 | Views: 5074 | ID: January 26 '07: The Washington Times reported recently that Maryland's first responders will be issued electronic ID cards which will "help reduce confusion and delays during major emergencies in which multiple agencies respond." To fund the program, the state was awarded a $1 million federal homeland security grant which will be administered by the Maryland Department of Transportation. According to the Times, the First Responder Authentication Credentials program "also will help officials tell which responders have arrived and how many are on the scene." This kind of situational awareness is essential, emergency management officials told the Wash. Times. The cards will be able to communicate with existing and previous networks. They will also be able to have upgrades so that GPS positioning chips can be installed. Brad Jewitt, a Maryland state transportation official told the Wash. Times, the cards' credentialing will require a three-year renewal and that responders would apply for the cards will have to participate in two interview with five overseers. Montgomery and Prince William counties will be the first locales to receive the new technology. The rest of the state will have the cards by the summer, the Wash. Times reported.
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