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University Medical Center is the First Level One Trauma Center to Use Rapid Responder Crisis Management System

Posted on: Wednesday, 5 April 2006, 09:00 CDT

University Medical Center (UMC), the largest free standing trauma center west of the Mississippi River, announced today they have installed a state of the art crisis management system to facilitate pre-planning for emergencies and to assist police, fire and other first responders during a wide variety of emergency situations. The Rapid Responder(R) system, developed by Seattle-based Prepared Response, Inc. (PRI), will provide emergency responders with instant access to critical information about the medical center. UMC will be the first level one trauma center in the U.S. to use the Rapid Responder system.

The Rapid Responder system runs on laptop computers and mobile data terminals allowing first responders to instantly access more than 300 data points, including tactical response plans, satellite and geospatial information (GIS), exterior and interior photos, floor plans, utility shut-off locations, and hazardous chemical inventories and locations. UMC will work with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, City and County Fire as well as other agencies to create new and integrated response plans for the medical center. All of this information will securely reside in UMC's Rapid Responder system and will only be accessible by authorized first responders via the Web, laptop computers, and portable USB storage devices.

"UMC's number one priority is the care and safety of our patients," said Lacy Thomas, UMC's chief executive officer. "Since 9/11, hospitals are seen as potential targets of terrorist attacks and UMC has strengthened its emergency plans. The Rapid Responder system will give UMC and first responders an extra tool in their arsenal to provide an extra measure of safety for UMC's patients and staff."

"UMC is a vital component of the State's critical infrastructure and the medical center is demonstrating its commitment to patient safety and the community by installing this crisis management system," said Jim Finnell, president and CEO of Prepared Response. "PRI is very excited to work with UMC and the first responders in Las Vegas to provide a comprehensive, easy-to-use system that can save lives, minimize property damage and support operational continuity."

About University Medical Center

UMC is the only public, non-profit hospital in Clark County and operates the state's only Burn Care Center and Level I Trauma Center as well as several Care Centers in the Southern Nevada community. UMC is affiliated with the University of Nevada School of Medicine and serves as the state's major clinical campus. Through its affiliation with the School of Medicine, residency programs in internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, family practice, general surgery and pediatrics are offered at UMC. Since 1931, UMC has been providing comprehensive medical care to all in its role as the community's safety net provider.

About Prepared Response, Inc.

Prepared Response Inc. develops crisis management planning and response systems that enable police, fire, and other emergency responders to save lives and mitigate property damage. The company's flagship product, Rapid Responder, runs on a laptop computer and allows first responders to instantly access over 300 site-specific data points, including tactical plans, floor plans, aerial and geospatial imagery, interior, and exterior photos, staging areas, hazardous materials locations, utility shut-offs, and evacuation routes for virtually any facility. The Rapid Responder system protects more than 5,200 facilities and is currently being deployed in educational facilities, public buildings, critical infrastructure, and private facilities across the U.S.

The privately held company, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, was formed in September 2000. Additional information can be found at www.preparedresponse.com or by calling 1-800-705-1856.

Editor's Note: A demonstration of this software is available.

Source: Business Wire

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