MARKETS: PUBLIC FACILITIES
In the U.S. alone, there are 15,000 facilities that produce or store large quantities of 140 highly hazardous chemicals that are regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The risks posed to public and workers by these facilities-some substandard or poorly regulated-is difficult to quantify but is a major cause for concern: According to a study of 125 sites conducted by the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical & Energy Workers International Union (PACE) representing 50,000 workers, nearly 60 percent of those surveyed believe they face high or medium likelihood of a serious accident. More than half fear a catastrophic terrorist attack. Only 38 percent believe that their company's response preparation is adequate, while more than a quarter state that their companies provided no catastrophic incident response training-although OSHA standards require most industrial plants, and any facility dealing with hazardous substances to have such an emergency response plan.
Now REACT offers these facilities a cost-effective, easily implemented system for delivering threat alerts or responding to an actual incident-ensuring targeted, reliable critical notifications, information and instructions for workers and at-risk public. By integrating into existing emergency alert and alarm systems and interfacing smoothly with a wide spectrum of communications devices and displays, REACT enables first responders and employees to rely on accurate, authoritative information rather than rumor or word-of-mouth. REACT helps contain and minimize casualties and damage during the crucial first moments of an incident, then works to maximize the organization and effectiveness of communications in the following hours and days.
Industrial Plants
The reality is that many industrial plants are spread out over a large area, with obsolete or non-compliant safety and notification resources. REACT provides a reliable source for both delivering and receiving vital communications from wireless or wire-enabled devices such as cell phones, pagers, Blackberry devices, internal and external phone systems as well as Web and PC access. This flexibility permits lifesaving alerts and updates to be delivered in real time. Easy to use and operator friendly, REACT delivers secure, multilateral communications to first responders and vulnerable workers instantly and simultaneously throughout even far-flung premises.
Public Arenas
The risk to people in large gatherings such as sports events, music concerts and holiday celebrations is well known. Until now, the very size and nature of these venues made crisis response a particular challenge amid risks of panic causing further injury and slowing response. For these situations, REACT is architected to forward instructions to vast numbers of people within seconds, alerting and instructing everyone quickly and accurately through the widest range of channels, modes and device types-telephones, pagers, desktop PC screens, email, fax machines, IM, mobile text messaging, public digital displays, and all types of handheld devices. Because REACT is language independent, multi-ethnic targeted messages can be relayed as quickly as in English, based on responsibilities, location and need to know.
Convention Centers
During Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Convention Center exemplified how the breakdown of Critical Response Performance (CRP) exacerbates disaster: "The levees were breached Monday morning - but as late as Thursday evening, The Washington Post reported, the convention center 'still had no visible government presence, while corpses lay out in the open among wailing babies and other refugees.' Meanwhile, federal officials were oblivious." (Charles Krugman, The New York Times, August 31, 2007) The REACT System's ability to unify vital actions in emergencies ensures that throughout the response chain, people receive accurate, instantly updated information, based on their pre-defined roles. Easily and affordable to deploy, the REACT system enables situation readiness-whether a center is used for shelter during natural disasters or is hosting trade shows and other events. REACT integrates smoothly with existing displays to convey such information as meeting times, maps, schedules and other messages for attendees, reducing waste paper and helping to control operations costs.
Shopping Malls
Shopping malls concentrate large numbers of people, placing them at risk of armed individuals, natural disasters, criminal activity and terrorist incidents. The REACT System is an vital resource for situation readiness and response, providing a secure, reliable interface among private mall security officers, police and fire departments, the public and their families. REACT enables automated alerts, instructions and advisories, updated with new information as it becomes available. Multilingual capabilities and multiple channels of contact speed notification to shoppers of all nationalities, alleviating panic and helping to coordinate effective action by all critical participants.
Recreation Venues
Amusement parks, national parks and other popular recreation venues are vulnerable to natural disasters, accidents, fires, terrorism and criminal activity. Because parks cover large geographies, emergency responders need accurate notification and real-time instruction to protect visitors and keep the public notified. REACT's scalability, easy configuration and smooth integration with public safety networks, alarm and surveillance systems make the system integral to responsible park management. The system enables coordinated action and control to address emergencies, providing alerts and advisories to visitors via existing signage and other channels of contact (voice, fax, email, SMS, IM, video, digital public displays, PC screens). Interface with safety agencies can be conducted via single-button alerts activated from desktops, telephones, wireless devices or embedded alarm systems, or through any manner of other electronic media. REACT can be rapidly deployed and is customizable to any organization or environment.
