Locution Systems, Inc. Introduces New, Wireless Touchpad Zone Controller for Fire Stations

CADVoice® ZoneTracker™ allows firefighters & paramedics to more accurately specify their location within a fire station for faster receipt of emergency dispatches

GOLDEN, Colo., Aug. 11, 2005 – Locution Systems, Inc., a provider of advanced public safety dispatching and fire station alerting technology, today introduced CADVoice® ZoneTracker™ -- a new zone controlling unit that allows firefighters and paramedics to access the fire station alerting system and update their actual location, by zone, within the fire station, using a wireless touchpad. ZoneTracker is available immediately, and is priced at $2,199.00 per unit. It can be carried around the station or docked into a wall mount. ZoneTracker™ is designed to be used in conjunction with Locution Systems’ flagship dispatching/fire station alerting system: CADVoice® Fire.

ZoneTracker provides an easy-to-use, tech-friendly way for firefighters and paramedics to update their zone location within a fire station so dispatches can reach them more quickly. For example, the alerting system might automatically route a dispatch for a select unit to that unit’s bunk room area, or zone. However, if it’s lunch time and that unit is located in the kitchen zone, unit members can update the alerting system with their current location.

“Intelligent zoning technology results in faster and more efficient routing of emergency dispatches – and literally can speed response times and save lives,” explained Glenn Neal, Locution Systems president and founder. “ZoneTracker allows emergency responders to interact with the alerting system at the station level. By telling the system their exact location as they move from zone to zone within the station, emergency dispatches reach them more quickly.”

ZoneTracker: Three Levels of Access

ZoneTracker can be configured with three different levels of access into the alerting system. First, Administrator Mode has the most complete access privileges into the system, with the system administrator able to designate zones, and control of lighting, bay doors and tone alarms. The Advanced User/Captain Level Mode allows them to make changes to zone designations as needed, and see what’s occurring throughout the station. The Responder Mode allows firefighters and paramedics to update their location within the station by pressing their unit button on the screen, and pressing the zone in which they are located. The alerting system then knows exactly where a responder is located and exactly where and how to route an emergency dispatch.

ZoneTracker Relies on Standard Industry Protocols

ZoneTracker has been designed to adhere to current industry standards and protocols. To that end, ZoneTracker:

• Uses TCP/IP networking (hard-wired or wireless)
• Runs on Windows CE.NET (the Microsoft operating system for handheld devices)

ZoneTracker System Specifications

• 8.4” TFT LCD screen
• 802.11 b/g wireless
• Windows CE.NET or XPe
• USB
• 32 or 64 MB and 128 MB SDRAM
• Intel X-Scale Processor
• 1 Compact Flash Slot/1 PC Card Slot
• 16-bit audio
• No fan or moving parts

“Dynamic zoning is fast becoming a requirement for fire stations that want to speed response times and only alert those unit members who need to go on a call vs. waking up the entire station, or even the entire zone for an emergency call,” noted Neal. “ZoneTracker provides the most advanced features and functionality for a dynamic zoning unit on the market today.”

About Locution Systems, Inc.

Founded in 1986, Locution Systems, Inc. offers a comprehensive suite of automated dispatching, zoned dispatching for multi-unit fire stations, and fire station alerting and control technologies for public safety applications (fire and EMS). Locution Systems’ CADVoice® automated dispatching and alerting products are based on the most advanced public safety technologies on the market today. Locution Systems’ products feature software-driven technology that’s more cost-effective to maintain than traditional hardware-based systems. The CADVoice® product line integrates with standard Computer-Aided Dispatching (CAD) systems operating in most 911 communication centers. Locution Systems’ products are being used in many major cities and counties throughout North America, and have been proven to speed response times, as well as reduce 911 “call stacking”, stress for dispatchers & responders, and operational costs. Locution can be reached at (303) 932-0014, or www.locution.com.