How Future Disaster Recovery Plans Will Depend On GPS Tracking

Many disasters occurring, from environmentaladdition to verbal, MTCS enables the task force
disasters such as global warming, terroristto work as one synchronized, coordinated team.
attacks, massive fires, bridge collapsing, campusThe end result is maximum preparedness and
shootings, riots. This article shows how GPSincreased public safety.
tracking will play a role in saving lives and propertyOrdia Solutions, Inc. built the army and marine
in future mega disasters.corps 'command post of the future' and they are
Our world today there are many disastersexperts in this space.
occurring, from environmental disasters such as- Fire & rescuemobile tactical collaboration
global warming, terrorist attacks, massive fires,system (MTCS) delivers to firefighters,
bridge collapsing, campus shootings, riots. Youemergency medical technicians, and other first
name it, every singe day, week, month and yearresponders a secure, web-based interoperable
there are more and more global events that arecommand and control solution that provides a
causing massive loss of life and damage todynamic, live, and interactive common operating
property worldwide.picture to authorized task force members at the
Lives and property will be saved only when wescene, on approach to the scene, and at the
have a way of effectively way to visually trackoperations center.
first responders in real time and coordinate their- Emergency response
efforts in saving lives and property.During the response to hurricane Katrina, the
The mobile tactical collaboration system (MTCS) isUnited States realized the grave cost of
a next-generation web-based wireless-enabledineffective communications between law
software application that allows public safetyenforcement, rescue, and other public safety
officers to communicate and collaborate visually inagencies. We must enable robust communication
real-time using tactical graphics, digital maps, andbetween these groups in order to minimize
shared workspaces to enable highly effectiveconfusion and bring clarity to a complex situation.
command & control without ever having tomobile tactical collaboration system (MTCS) is the
setup a physical command post.solution.
The mobile tactical collaboration system wasWhen timely communication is critical, a picture is
recently expanded the product portfolio to includeworth a thousand words. By allowing first
an integrated tracking solution, advantraq GPS,responders to share their understanding and
which provides real-time situational unit locationsintentions visually and with the aid of real-time
for operational commanders and their tacticalvoice communication, MTCS maximizes
operators in the field.information sharing and enhances situational
The advanTraq GPS solution integrated into theawareness. According to Colonel Robert Akam,
MTCS is in fact the worldtracker GPRS GPStask force Katrina. If rescue and law enforcement
tracking device that was researched andagencies had this capability, we could have
suggested by the Engineering Dept. of GLCeliminated face-to-face meetings to conduct
Enterprises, Inc.interagency planning with much greater fidelity.
This GPS tracking solution uses the smallest GPSMobile tactical collaboration system is continuously
tracking device available today with an openbeing updated based on real-world feedback from
interface that can be programmed. It allowed forlaw enforcement, fire/EMS, search and rescue,
easy integration into the mobile tacticalemergency operation and fusion center personnel.
collaboration system.It is being fielded at several agencies in the
The mobile tactical collaboration system works inmid-atlantic region for missions ranging from police
many public and private sectors which include theraids, to a school storming exercise, to a joint
following and more.tactical operation around the July 4th 2007 holiday
- Law enforcementmobile tactical collaborationinvolving SWAT, fire, EMS, HazMat,
system (MTCS) delivers to law enforcement andcounterterrorism, intelligence, and marine assets.
other first responders a secure, web-basedOther applications include remote briefings, special
interoperable command and control solution thatevents management, geographically dispersed
provides a dynamic, live, and interactive commonevents, VIP escorts, facility security, high speed
operating picture to authorized task forcechase, hostage/barricade operations,
members at the scene, on approach to thepreparedness training and exercises, and
scene, and at the operations center.post-incident replay and analysis.
Deploying the MTCS solution enables lawIn closing, if you ever watch mega sisasters on
enforcement agencies to significantly enhancethe history channel will clue you in on what's
their 5Cs of interoperability, communication,coming our way in terms of disasters. How many
coordination, collaboration, command and control.lives that will be saved will depend only on how
MTCS provides operators with a majorgood we are in organizing rescue missions in all
advantage in dealing with complex operations. Bypublic and private sectors.
providing seamless communication, visual in