• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Sprint Emergency Response Team Provides Comprehensive Suite of Public Safety Communications to NASCAR

Posted on: Wednesday, 31 August 2005, 12:00 CDT

Sprint (NYSE:S), whose Nextel brand titles racing's premier, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series(TM), will further its commitment to assisting motorsports facilities enhance onsite communications by donating 70 fully enabled Motorola i325 phones from Nextel to public safety officials in Fontana, Calif., and the California Speedway for use during the Sony HD 500 on September 4.

The loan, which includes phones, service and training at no cost, is part of the Sprint Emergency Response Team's (ERT) effort to offer a consistent and reliable communications platform to tracks that host NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series(TM) events. The California Speedway will use the phones to coordinate their operations with local agencies and emergency medical services.

"This program will help us stay in constant contact with local law enforcement to aid traffic flow, speedway parking and security staff, as well as medical and emergency services," said Michael Yurkick, California Speedway senior director of operations. "Sprint's Emergency Response Team will drastically improve operational efficiencies and communications between track security, operations officials and public safety agencies throughout the Labor Day weekend."

This donation will provide tracks and the agencies that support NASCAR events the opportunity to leverage ERT's expertise and use Nextel walkie-talkie services to coordinate security efforts.

"This is a natural solution that our Emergency Response Team can provide to track operations and local agencies to ensure effective communication throughout the race weekend," said Mike Finley, Sprint area vice president. "Sprint is committed to using our experience in the public safety community to help NASCAR create a safe and secure environment for fans and competitors."

The newly combined companies, Sprint and Nextel, have a long history of working with public safety groups and community organizations to provide state-of-the-art technology that ensures instant, reliable communication during a crisis. Sprint's ERT is a primary component of this effort, offering an experienced, cross-functional group that has provided wireless telecommunications equipment and personnel support to federal, state and local agencies during declared emergencies such as the California wildfires and the Space Shuttle Columbia recovery in 2003; Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne in 2004; and most recently during the Florida hurricanes of 2005.

The 70 donated Motorola i325 phones from Nextel are feature-rich, rugged handsets designed to adhere to the tough conditions officials encounter at the racetrack. They meet Military Standards 810 F for withstanding rain, humidity, salt fog dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, low pressure and solar radiation. Combined with DirectTalk(SM), the all-digital, off-network walkie-talkie feature, the i325 monolith style handset provides a back-up communication system for short range communications, allowing public sector workers in harsh conditions or at remote locations to make walkie-talkie calls during emergency situations or when network coverage may not be available.

Other services that will be available to officials include Nextel walkie talkie, which allows users to make instant walkie-talkie calls to other Nextel users nationwide and Group Walkie Talkie, which enables instant and simultaneous connection with up to 20 other Group Walkie Talkie capable users.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business and government customers. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks offering industry leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie talkie capabilities; and an award-winning and global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

Source: Business Wire

More News in this Category