WALL, N.J., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BIO-key International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: BKYI), a leader in finger-based biometric identification and wireless public safety solutions, today announced the successful installation of MobileRescue(TM), BIO-key's wireless messaging and data exchange solution for fire and emergency medical response agencies, in Rock County, WI. With funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, the County has deployed MobileRescue in ten municipal fire departments. From laptops in fire apparatus, ambulances and command and support vehicles, first responders can now communicate silently and securely with dispatchers and with each other.
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The Rock County Communications Center dispatches for all public safety agencies in the County, including the Sheriff's Office and eleven municipal police agencies that were already using MobileCop(R), BIO-key's complementary law enforcement query and messaging solution. Through an interface with the County's computer aided dispatch (CAD) system, dispatchers can now track the current location and status of all police, fire and ambulance vehicles in the County, helping them quickly get the right resources to any 911 call or other incident.
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"Reducing the reliance on radio communications with the Communications Center was our first priority," according to Deputy Chief Bryan Northrop of the Beloit Fire Department, the first fire department to roll out the new system. The dispatcher can now automatically assign the fire apparatus or ambulance and contact them directly via MobileRescue. Detailed address information and any updates on the incident are sent directly to the Panasonic Toughbook laptop in the responding vehicle while en route. "Because it's always there on the MobileRescue screen when needed," Northrop added, "we don't have to call the dispatcher to repeat information. That lets us concentrate on getting to the scene quickly and safely, and frees the dispatcher to manage the incident appropriately."
MobileRescue also helps responders when they're on scene. When a fire or other incident involves a commercial building, for example, the Communications Center can send lockbox codes and pre-plan numbers. The incident commander can use this information to quickly look up the location of utility shutoff switches or any hazardous materials stored at the site. In addition, with MobileRescue's "scanner proof" messaging, responding units on scene can exchange critical and sensitive information with each other and with the Communications Center silently and securely.
"Many jurisdictions like Rock County have discovered that MobileRescue is a cost-effective way to reduce voice radio traffic and actually improve communications between the comms center and the field," said Ken Souza, Senior Vice President and General Manager of BIO-key's Law Enforcement Division. "In a county or metropolitan area, MobileRescue also serves as a force multiplier, enabling first responders from different jurisdictions to share information and improve response in mutual aid situations."
About BIO-key
BIO-key International, Inc., headquartered in Wall, New Jersey, develops and delivers advanced identification solutions and information services to law enforcement departments, public safety agencies, government and private sector customers. BIO-key's mobile wireless technology provides first responders with critical, reliable, real-time data and images from local, state and national databases. BIO-key's high performance, scalable, cost-effective and easy-to-deploy biometric finger identification technology accurately identifies and authenticates users of wireless and enterprise data to improve security, convenience and privacy and to reduce identity theft. Over 1,000 police departments in North America use BIO-key solutions, making BIO-key the leading supplier of mobile and wireless solutions for law enforcement. (http://www.bio-key.com)
(C) Copyright 2009 by BIO-key International, Inc.
Company Contact: BIO-key International, Inc. Bud Yanak 732-359-1100
SOURCE BIO-key International, Inc.
