Prepared Response, Inc. Selected to Provide Security Technology for Kansas City Schools
New Rapid Responder Software Allows School Districts to Pre-plan Emergency Response with Local Police and Fire Agencies

SEATTLE, Wash., March 23, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Seattle-based Prepared Response, Inc. (PRI) today announced that it has signed a contract with the Park Hill School District in Kansas City, Mo. to improve security and safety in its schools. The project was funded by an $185,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education in September 2004. The Park Hill School District will work with PRI to digitally map every school in its district using PRI's Rapid ResponderTM- a software program that gives police and fire units quick access to key data such as aerial photos, floor plans, building photos, evacuation routes, and emergency plans, allowing them to act quickly, decisively, and safely during emergency incidents.

To implement the Rapid Responder program, PRI will first meet with school district officials and local police and fire to explain the program and coordinate each department's emergency response plans. Next the PRI team will digitally map over 300 critical data points for each of the district's 18 buildings, including 14 public schools, one private school, one day school facility, an underground warehouse and a support facility. In late summer 2005, emergency responders and school personnel will be trained and given direct access to the Rapid Responder program, which securely stores critical tactical information such as police and fire pre-plans, site maps, utility control locations, hazardous material locations, and personnel and outside resources contact information.

"I think it's an excellent tool. It allows us to preplan for law enforcement issues as well as natural disasters and emergency management issues," said Captain Mark Owen, Platte County Sheriff's Department.

Rapid Responder has already proven invaluable during a 2003 shooting incident at Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, Washington, when a student gunman was contained after only 12 minutes by using the Rapid Responder technology. In addition, over 2,000 students were evacuated in just 20 minutes, eight lanes of freeway were blocked off, and the area surrounding the school was secured. Prepared Response completed the installation at Lewis and Clark only a few weeks prior to that incident.

"In emergency situations seconds are valuable, and this investment of time at the front end can have significant impact on the outcome of the situation," said Jim Finnell, chief executive officer of Prepared Response, Inc. "It allows responders to focus on what's most important."

Rapid Responder was originally developed by law enforcement professionals after analyzing a variety of real life emergencies - including the Columbine High School tragedy - to develop practical and effective tools that will improve planning, preparedness, and response for police, firefighters, and other public safety professionals. The software program reduces the need for paper-based emergency plans and can mitigate property damage for both public and private venues.