A New Partnership

Submitted by CERDEC
  
The U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command,
Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center
(CERDEC) has entered into a cooperative effort with Rex Systems, Inc.,
Chippewa Falls, Wisc., to design, integrate and produce a First
Responder Command, Control and Communications Information (C3I) System.
 
At a signing ceremony on July 2, Gary Martin, acting technical director,
CERDEC; Gary Blohm, director, Space and Terrestrial Communications
Directorate and John Myre, president, Rex Systems, Inc., signed a
Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) defining the
basic terms and conditions of the partnership.
 
The goal of the CRADA is to develop a C3I system that meets the close
operational needs of both military and domestic urban First Responders
during a terrorist incident or large natural disaster. The anticipated
results include the following:
 
* An emergency-response C3I system that provides the capability to
deliver situation appropriate information to those emergency units
committed to or engaged in close emergency operations within the
immediate disaster area;
 
* Provide interagency communication and coordination, and communication
within and outside the immediate disaster area; and
 
* Improve the effectiveness and survivability of emergency responders
during a terrorist incident.