Date posted: 01/20/2007*

Raytheon has launched a pilot program in the Midwest United States that will dramatically improve communications in six communities in the Quad Cities area (Bettendorf and Davenport, Iowa; and Moline, East Moline and Rock Island, Ill.). Genesis Medical Center of Davenport is also participating.

The six-month program has three critical benefits for first responders and public safety officials:

• Voice, video and data interoperability among and between participating communities
• Remote broadband access to applications already in use by first responders and public safety officials in these communities
• Introduction of new applications and services to enable improved response

The Public Safety Communications Pilot is being driven out of Network Centric Systems (NCS). NCS’s Integrated Communications Systems (ICS), building on its long history of military communications expertise, is extending its focus in civil communications through a newly formed unit, Civil Communications Solutions.

“Our goal is to ensure first responders and public safety officials perform with improved speed and efficiency in an environment that provides them with greater safety,” said Bill Iannacci, director, Civil Communications Solutions.

One of the applications being deployed is Raytheon’s Mobile Enhanced Situational Awareness (MESA) solution. MESA provides remote situational awareness capabilities to commanders in the field so they can track their officers at all times.

In addition to delivering improved technology solutions, Raytheon employed its Six Sigma process to enhance collaboration among participating communities. “Our process began with a fundamental tenet of Six Sigma — visualizing success,” said Jerry Powlen, vice president, ICS.

Raytheon, providing mission systems integration expertise, will lead the program. It is partnering with Nortel Government Solutions, New Era Wireless, NexPort Solutions Group, DropFire and EAGLE Project.

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