Emergency24, an Underwriters Laboratory-listed central station that writes its own proprietary software, and BluePoint Alert Solutions, a company that focuses on hardware installation, training and implementation of Rapid Emergency Response Systems (RERS), have partnered to leverage each companies’ capabilities to minimize the impact of crisis situations, such as an active shooter event or natural disaster. They have done so by creating a new Crisis Management Platform, Command and Control (C2).
“Emergency24 has been making life safety notifications since 1967 using its own proprietary software and procedures,” said Steve Mayer, Emergency24’s vice president of operations and administration. “Our software engineers developed two-way texting capabilities to inform building occupants or residents of an emergency and an online platform for first responders to share information amongst themselves and the public.”
John McNutt, BluePoint’s CEO, said, “BluePoint Alert Solutions developed the hardware to make notification within the facility using strobes, signage and voice annunciators. Plus, we have the knowledge and experience to implement unique security programs to best protect a facility. Our national footprint for installation and Emergency24’s nationwide dispatch capability is another factor that makes this an excellent partnership.”
Based in Elgin, Ill., BluePoint Alert Solutions, which was developed originally with educational facilities in mind, is now deployed in corporate settings, places of worship, government buildings, commercial space, medical settings and industrial facilities across the United States.
In conjunction with BluePoint’s site review, customized security planning and system deployment, Emergency24’s software enables two-way, multimedia mass communication to impacted groups. The first responders’ portal also facilitates real-time IP video camera access via an interactive floor plan called Visual Point Identification to help shape officer deployment and locate individuals who need medical assistance.
Using text/SMS and email, pre-defined groups are immediately notified of an incident. The notification will identify the type of emergency and provide emergency instruction to building occupants based on a predesigned protocol. Ongoing instructions from first responders can be shared and adapted as new information is available.
Notifications to emergency personnel include links to the Visual Point Identification interactive floor plan or map that shows where the incident occurred at the site. In addition, there is a link to load driving directions to the location (for police) and access to the secure internet portal from which the two-way communication is facilitated.
“Our web-based service combines traditional alarm monitoring with an advanced communications platform to improve the flow of information to and from building occupants and first responders,” Mayer said.
McNutt added, “The information exchange allows responders to better communicate, prioritize, coordinate and execute their response effort faster.”
