Locution Systems, Inc. Introduces New Zoned Dispatching System for Multi-unit Fire Stations

CADVoice® ZoneTracker™ routes 911 dispatches directly to the fire or EMS unit being dispatched; allows other units to sleep through the night

GOLDEN, Colo., Aug. 20, 2007 – Locution Systems, Inc., a provider of advanced, automated public safety dispatching, zoned dispatching, and fire station alerting and control technology, has introduced an updated version of CADVoice® ZoneTracker™ -- a zoned dispatching and alerting system designed for fire stations with more than one fire or EMS crew. Locution Systems unveiled the new zoned dispatching & alerting system while attending the 2007 Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) conference and expo in Baltimore in August 2007. The updated CADVoice® ZoneTracker™ system is available immediately.

ZoneTracker™ works in conjunction with CADVoice® Fire Station – Locution Systems’ flagship fire station alerting system. The ZoneTracker™ software module is priced at $1,995 per fire station for up to 30 zones. The larger Station ZoneTracker™ touch screen sells for $2,299; the Dorm ZoneTracker™ touch screen sells for $1,799.

Locution Systems’ ZoneTracker™ is comprised of software developed by Locution Systems and tech-friendly touch screen hardware units that allows fire and EMS personnel to simply touch the screen and “tell” the fire station’s alerting system where they are located in the station, and more important, the bunk room in which they will be sleeping. Then, when 911 calls come through in the middle of the night, CADVoice® ZoneTracker™ automatically will route dispatches, as well as lighting and tonal alerts, directly and only to the rescue crew being dispatched for the call.

This ability to route dispatches and alerts directly to the crew being dispatched allows the rest of the rescue crews in the fire station to sleep through the night, and helps mitigate the negative physical and mental effects of sleep deprivation. An added plus: CADVoice® ZoneTracker™ also helps speed response times to fires and medical emergencies by more precisely routing 911 dispatches to the crews designated to respond to the emergency.

ZoneTracker™ -- A Sleek New Touch Screen Unit And Updated Interface

The CADVoice® ZoneTracker™ system is driven by the fire station’s PC, and is available in two versions: a Station ZoneTracker™ and a Dorm ZoneTracker™.

The Station ZoneTracker™ runs on a 17-inch touch screen unit. Its screen displays a layout of the entire fire station, and it typically is located in a public area of the station such as the dining room, living room, or hallway.

The Dorm ZoneTracker™ runs on a sleek touch screen unit that is flush-mounted into the wall in a dorm, or bunk, room. Its touch screen displays a series of “soft” buttons that correspond to each unit operating out of a particular fire station. In addition, the Dorm ZoneTracker™ features a new graphic interface and blue color palette that is designed for easy reading in the dark and yet provides lower light so responders can sleep easily.

To use ZoneTracker™, fire and EMS responders simply press a “soft” button on the touch screen to “tell” the station’s alerting system where they are located in the station, by day, or the bunk room where they will be sleeping. Once a responder has alerted the system of their location, CADVoice® ZoneTracker™ automatically will route 911 dispatches directly to their location within the fire station.

“Automated dispatching and fire station alerting 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, founder, and chief technology officer. “In addition, zoned dispatching involving Locution Systems’ ZoneTracker™ system can help reduce the effects of sleep deprivation -- which can be as devastating to the health and psyches of fire and EMS crews as constant stress.”

ZoneTracker: Three Access Levels

ZoneTracker can be configured with three different levels of access into the alerting system. First, Administrator Mode has the most complete system access privileges, with the ability to designate zones, and control lighting, apparatus bay doors, and tone alarms. The Advanced User/Captain Level Mode allows Captains 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 touch screen, and pressing the zone in which they are located. The alerting system then knows exactly where and how to route emergency dispatches for each unit.

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

• 5x8.4” TFT LCD screen (dorm model) or 17” TFT LCD display (station model)
• 802.11 b/g wireless
• Windows CE.NET or XPe
• USB
• 512 MB SDRAM and 512 MB Flash
• Intel X-Scale Processor
• 16-bit audio

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.