SpectraRep Selected by APTS to Provide Systems Integration and Management Support for National Digital Emergency Alert Project SpectraRep Services Will Help Public Television and the Department of Homeland Security Rapidly Deploy DEAS System Nationwide SpectraRep
CHANTILLY, Va. — SpectraRep, Inc. today announced that it has been selected by the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) to provide systems integration and project management services for the Digital Emergency Alert System (DEAS) program. The DEAS program, a wireless data delivery system that will deliver next generation alert and warning capabilities to the American public, is a joint endeavor of APTS and the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA’s Office of National Security Coordination serves as the federal government’s executive agent for the national-level Emergency Alert System (EAS).
Mark Erstling, APTS’ Chief Operating Officer said, “The project will dramatically enhance the ability of the Federal agencies to communicate with the American public using public television’s digital infrastructure.”
In addition to broadcast EAS distribution, the DEAS system will deliver broadband multimedia (audio, video and multiple file attachments), and support distribution of alerts by e-mail, cell phones, text messaging devices, digital signage, and other systems.
As the systems integrator for DEAS, SpectraRep will be responsible for overall systems engineering, software development, and logistics management.
“We are very excited about this award and to have the opportunity to build on our work with APTS and FEMA,” said Edward Czarnecki, SpectraRep’s vice president of government solutions. “The SpectraRep team looks forward to working with APTS and FEMA to get the advanced emergency notification capabilities of DEAS deployed as quickly as possible. DEAS is designed to answer a very critical communications need which is providing reliable, enhanced and cost-effective emergency notification services from the Federal government to the general public and state emergency managers.”
“I’m very proud of our team and our solution to meet our customer’s needs. We look forward to working with APTS and FEMA to make this program a major contributor to our nation’s homeland security,” said Rick Ducey, SpectraRep’s president. “We are delighted to be a member of the talented team APTS has assembled and proud to support FEMA’s critical role managing the national emergency alert system.”
Core participants in the DEAS project include local public broadcast stations around the country and PBS. The DEAS project will use the digital transmission capabilities of public broadcasting infrastructure to broadcast emergency alerts, with live audio and video.
In October, 2004, the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) signed a cooperative agreement with APTS to conduct a Digital Emergency Alert System- National Capital Region Pilot Project (DEAS-NCR). The pilot was launched to demonstrate how public television’s digital infrastructure could be used to support the distribution of presidential messages to the public and of digital all-hazards Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages to TVs, radios, personal computers and wireless networks.
SpectraRep was selected by APTS to provide systems design, integration and project support for the initial pilot of the DEAS system, which was concentrated in the National Capitol Region. In 2005, APTS selected SpectraRep to support the second phase of the pilot, which included extended operations and testing with 23 public broadcast stations, in 17 states and the District of Columbia.
About SpectraRep
SpectraRep is a leading provider of solutions for the broadcast delivery of data over digital television. SpectraRep is working with broadcasters around the country to deploy wireless datacast broadband services and applications for all-hazards emergency notification, emergency management, first responder and education applications. SpectraRep is a subsidiary of BIA Financial Network (BIAfn), a premier financial and strategic advisory services firm that has served the media and communications industries for more than two decades. For more information about SpectraRep, IncidentOne and AlertManager, visit www.spectrarep.com.
About APTS
The Association of Public Television Stations is a nonprofit membership organization established in 1980 to support the continued growth and development of a strong and financially sound noncommercial television service for the American public. APTS provides advocacy for public television interests at the national level, as well as consistent leadership and information in marshaling support for its members: the nation’s public television stations. Further information is available at: http://www.apts.org/
About DHS-FEMA
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. Further information is available at: http://www.fema.gov/.