Prepared Response Inc. , a leading developer of crisis management planning and response systems, has received the Focus on Innovation Award from the
National Homeland Defense Foundation at the Homeland Defense Symposium 2006 Annual Awards Dinner held at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. PRI was selected from more that 100 companies participating as exhibitors at the Symposium for its pioneering work in the area of statewide crisis management planning and response systems.
The award is given to companies who display excellence in innovation and provide new technologies used for homeland defense in the battle against global terrorism. Other award recipients were Admiral Timothy J. Keating (USN), who received the National Homeland Defense Award, and General Ralph E. Eberhart, who received the Founders Award.
Bill Harris, president and CEO of the National Homeland Defense Foundation, said, "Prepared Response was selected for this award because the company represents everything that is great about American industry. Smart ideas, great energy, and the kind of financial wisdom a young company needs to become a big company. PRI supports our first responders with remarkable software that opens schools, airports, public buildings and other venues in emergencies in a way unknown only a few years ago."
Prepared Response Inc.'s Rapid Responder crisis management system provides the core technology for Washington State's Critical Incident Planning and Mapping System, which is being currently deployed to protect all schools and critical infrastructure in the state. Rapid Responder runs on laptop computers and allows first responders to instantly access more than 300 site-specific data points, including tactical plans, floor plans, satellite and geospatial (GIS) information, interior and exterior photos, staging areas, hazardous materials locations, utility shut-offs, and evacuation routes for virtually any facility.
Rapid Responder is the only crisis management system to have been "Certified" as a "Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology" through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's SAFETY Act. The system has already been credited with successfully mitigating several incidents, including a school shooting incident in Washington State.
"Prepared Response is honored to receive this prestigious award from the National Homeland Defense Foundation," said Jim Finnell, president and CEO of Prepared Response. "We have worked very close with police, fire, and other first responders to develop a system that is quick to deploy, easy to use, and highly reliable in a wide variety of emergency situations. The receipt of this award further validates our efforts to provide our first responders with state-of-the-art technology to help them fight terrorism and protect our critical infrastructure across the U.S."
