Annapolis Conference Dignitary and Critical Infrastructure Security Enhanced by Ordia Solutions

Ordia Solutions’ Mobile Tactical Collaboration System™ integrated with advanced personnel tracking system AdvanTraq™ GPS deliver visual tactical interoperable communication, common operating picture, and real-time command and control situational awareness to multi-jurisdictional and multidisciplinary federal, state and local security taskforce handling dignitary protection and critical infrastructure protection at the US Naval Academy for US President George W. Bush, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Middle East Quartet Envoy Tony Blair, and dozens of other world leaders at Mideast Peace Conference.

Annapolis, MD, and Vienna, VA, November 28, 2007 – Ordia Solutions, the leading provider of mission-critical tactical collaboration systems for public safety agencies announces the successful deployment yesterday of its next generation command and control platform Mobile Tactical Collaboration System™ (MTCS) and advanced personnel tracking solution AdvanTraq™ GPS at the Annapolis Peace Conference in support of the federal, state, and local security taskforce at the US Naval Academy grounds in Annapolis Maryland.

The Annapolis Conference was designated a Special Event Activity Report (SEAR) Level 2 security special event, a Department of Homeland Security designation that assesses the availability of federal, state, and local law enforcement resources in combination with the perceived threat level to the event. The State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security was the lead federal law enforcement agency for the Conference and worked with a multi-jurisdictional taskforce that included the US Secret Service, FBI, US Marshals Service, ATF, US Coast Guard, Maryland State Police, Anne Arundel County Police, Annapolis Police, Prince George’s County Police, Metropolitan DC Police, and other federal, state, and local agencies. The FBI contingent hosted Ordia Solutions’ Mobile Tactical Collaboration System throughout the conference.

Within minutes of their short MTCS orientation, several FBI operators began redrawing their sector of operation at the US Naval Academy grounds from the static, paper-based operational map they were handed to dynamic and interactive MTCS workspaces on their wireless mobile computers. AdvanTraq GPS units were assigned to several members of the taskforce both in mobile land units and aboard tactical response boats so they could be tracked in their security details inside and outside the security zone. One of the tactical team leaders was equipped with a one-pound OQO model 02, the world’s smallest full-featured ultra-mobile handheld PC, displaying his MTCS workspace. When report of a potential threat location came to the Interagency Command Center, a quick reaction team was dispatched to investigate, with one of the members equipped with an AdvanTraq GPS unit. The QRT’s approach and return was tracked by personnel from both the ICC and Tactical Operation Center, providing added security and personnel accountability for the operators, and real-time situational awareness for commanders and other senior leadership at division headquarters.

“Ordia Solutions delivered an easy to use, ‘ready-out-of-the-box’ solution to developing and distributing a common operating picture for crisis response and incident management professionals that is years ahead of what we were accustomed to using” said [Name-Redacted], Supervisory Special Agent, FBI Baltimore Division. “As a tactical coordinator, I cannot overstate the importance of knowing, in real time, exactly where all of my forces are deployed in relation to the incident site(s), infrastructure, support elements, and each other, and being able to share that common operating picture in real time with my chain of command and other agencies.” He continued “We had worked out our tactical plan for the peace conference weeks ago, and were fully prepared to secure our areas of responsibility according to plan before we knew about the existence of MTCS. Once we saw the demonstration and put MTCS to use, we experienced a quantum leap forward in our ability to monitor and brief operations up the chain and to other agency representatives, many of whom were looking over my shoulder all day at the Interagency Command Center”. He concluded: “To put it in a nutshell, the MTCS gave us a command and control capability that Hollywood has attributed to law enforcement tactical units for many years, but in truth we are only now realizing.”

“As a small technology company that is passionate about listening to our front-line law enforcement customers and delivering robust and easy-to-use solutions that exceed their expectations, we are honored the FBI chose our visual tactical interoperable communication, collaboration, coordination, and command & control solution to assist its formidable task at The Annapolis Conference of ensuring the security and safety of world leaders and their solemn Mideast peace mission,” noted Joe E. Ordia, Chairman and CEO, Ordia Solutions. “This successful deployment at a SEAR Level 2 event, while a milestone, highlights but a small portion of the vast capabilities of the MTCS platform to effectuate the proactive, timely, coordinated, and effective response of law enforcement officers and first responders to a variety of tactical scenarios such as securing DHS-designated SEAR and National Special Security Events; critical infrastructures as complex as major sporting events at the collegiate, professional, or international levels; coordinating the search for a missing person; fugitive tracking; re-routing of traffic as a result of a major vehicular/hazmat accident or evacuation order; timely, coordinated, and effective tactical response to campus security incidents; SWAT operations; effective planning for and coordinated response to wildland fires; effective and coordinated response to man-made or environment disasters; real-world homeland security and preparedness exercises; and many other more routine public safety activities.”