New Technology Could Improve Emergency Personnel’s Safety
Six Missouri counties are banding together to spend a $1.2 million federal grant on new technology that could potentially save the lives of emergency response workers when they are on the front lines of an incident.

In an article in the Missouri Daily Journal, Renee Jean says the technology “converts aerial maps into detailed oblique images of every location on the ground and could be placed in every police car and firetruck in the county if departments wish. Such technology would allow an officer or crew of firefighters a quick look at an area’s features prior to arrival, ensuring they don’t get lost even when the address system is confusing or there are unexpected obstacles. It could also improve safety as emergency personnel can identify the best staging location ahead of time, and the best routes of approach to say a hostage situation.”

Alan Wells, 911 director and assistant emergency management director for St. Francois County, told Jean the new technology can help with major structure fires, any pre-planned raids, incidents with a barricaded person and or incidents where officials must make a tactical entry.

The system is not yet up and running, Jean says. The $1.2 million federal grant means none of the counties will have any additional expenses to implement the technology.

To read the full article, click here: http://www.mydjconnection.com/articles/2008/03/06/news/doc47d025c7d58ba189571580.txt