Crisis Management Software Now Available for Homeland Security through SEL / AEL

SEATTLE, Wash., August 11, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Prepared Response, Inc., the leading provider of crisis management systems for police, fire, and other emergency responders, today announced that its Rapid ResponderTM crisis planning and response system is now listed on the InterAgency Board for Equipment Standardization and Interoperability's (IAB) Standardized Equipment List (SEL) and the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) Authorized Equipment List (AEL). These lists are part of the Responder Knowledge Base (RKB), which is sponsored by DHS and maintained by the National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism at www.rkb.mipt.org.

The SEL listing means the Rapid Responder system is now an authorized product and can be expeditiously purchased by first responders through a variety of DHS grant programs. The listing simplifies the procurement process for first responders, who are required to go through a laborious process to request funding for any non-authorized solution. Information about the Rapid Responder solution can be found in the RKB at www.rkb.mipt.org (registration required).

Rapid Responder, developed by Prepared Response, is a secure interactive emergency response database system that allows emergency managers to pre-plan response and recovery efforts for a wide variety of emergencies. The Rapid Responder software gives planners the ability to organize and disseminate incident plans, including detailed site information and hazardous materials locations. In addition, the easy-to-use program provides emergency responders with directions to incident locations, staging areas, and buildings, and graphically displays floor plans, site plans, and both indoor and outdoor photos of critical venues.

"The Responder Knowledge Base has become the single source of information for first responders seeking equipment, advanced technology, and other services used in the fight against terrorism," said Jim Finnell, chief executive officer of Prepared Response, Inc. "Rather than having to search through thousands of Web sites, the RKB provides police, fire and other first responders with a trusted source of information on products, standards, certifications, and grants."

The Standardized Equipment List (SEL) is provided to the responder community by the InterAgency Board, an agency partially funded through the Department of Homeland Security. The SEL promotes interoperability and standardization across the responder community at the local, state, and federal levels by offering a standard reference and a common set of terminology. Additionally the SEL provides equipment listings recommended by the IAB to local, state, and federal government organizations.