First-response gearWeb-based interactive solution for first responders

Published 9 January 2012

DGI is adding a Web-based, interactive map drawing feature to its CoBRA WEB Mapping; the solution will initially target fire departments, EMS organizations, bomb squads, HAZMAT teams, and police departments as a situational awareness tool to assist in the collaboration of first responders and emergency operation centers

Hanover, New Hamshire-based TrueVector Technologies  introduced a Web-based, interactive drawing solution for emergency responder Web mapping software intended for use by federal, state, and local governments and other emergency responder organizations.

The first deployment of the technology is by Defense Group, Inc. (DGI) of Vienna, Virginia, which has signed a strategic reseller agreement with TrueVector Technologies. DGI will market this drawing solution as part of its CoBRA WEB Mapping within the CoBRA Crisis Management and Emergency Response business unit.

The applications for CoBRA WEB mapping are numerous. DGI says it will initially target fire departments, EMS organizations, bomb squads, HAZMAT teams, and police departments as a situational awareness tool to assist in the collaboration of first responders and emergency operation centers.

CoBRA WEB mapping will allow users to develop situational awareness by viewing all essential information on a map, down to street level detail. It provides a common operating picture, where emergency personnel can log in and collaborate on a single universal map which can be viewed and updated in real time to reflect changing events on the ground. Users of the map can draw and markup incident information from anywhere.

The system has been designed to track assets and resources as data is automatically fed into a map from the incident site as well as reach back assets and command centers.

Sandy Fitchet, CEO and president of TrueVector Technologies, said: “Our partnership with Defense Group has opened a new market — Emergency Response — for TrueVector Technologies. We are very pleased to be working in concert with DGI to deliver customized software solutions that assist First Responders in their critically important mission and delivery objectives.”

Chris Boehm, DGI CoBRA Group vice president, said: “Through our strategic partnership with TrueVector Technologies, we are able to offer the first Emergency Response solution that links real-time mapping and collaborative markup with incident response. This is a real boon to our clients, and has generated interest in some related markets, such as Police Departments, who see CoBRA WEB mapping as a means to manage protest situations. With CoBRA® they can visualize the current status and location of protesters and make informed decisions for managing their department’s actions.”