Interoperable Communications and Public Alert System for Wayne County, Mich.

In the event of a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or other emergency crisis incident, Wayne County residents will be notified via home and office telephones, mobile phones, text based devices or personal computers. The initiative is part of a homeland security plan to improve interoperable communications and allow public safety officials to send out targeted alert notifications to the public to improve coordination, and reaction time and efficiency.

The software being used to establish complete interoperable communications and public safety alert notifications is by Codespear. This new software platform allows residents, businesses and government organizations to create and maintain user profiles that identify the communication medium to be used for emergency notification.

The system enables Wayne County residents to fully integrated two-way communications (voice and data) between multiple agencies, communities and first responders regardless of communication device, network or frequency.

Direct emergency communications to Wayne County's residents, businesses and public safety agencies is established and the system enhances the traditional methods of television and radio for public alert notifications.

Wayne County, the eighth largest county in the nation with more than 2.2 million residents across 43 communities, has deployed Codespear's software to provide interoperable communications to the county's homeland security, emergency management and public safety departments. The technology works by augmenting incident response, emergency preparedness, continuity of operations and major operational events.

"Codespear not only allows public safety officials in our communities to communicate and collaborate in a way never before possible, but it allows us to better protect the public during emergencies," said Wayne County Executive, Robert Ficano. " Before choosing Codespear, 43 separate transactions were required to get a single message out to agencies in each of our communities. Now it's one click of the mouse. While you can't put a dollar amount on saving lives, the Codespear system is the most comprehensive and cost effective we've seen."

"We are excited to be a part of ensuring Wayne County's homeland security and public safety initiatives," said Glen Seaman, vice president at Codespear. "Our solution will allow Wayne County to communicate with full interoperability and will give them the tools they need to keep their public safety personnel, residents and businesses prepared and informed in case of an emergency crises.