State-of-the-art? The JC OEM itself admitted communication to residents sucked during Sandy.

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/20 ... y_official_more_than.html

Quote:

Jersey City OEM earns award for state-of-art communications system

By Michaelangelo Conte/The Jersey Journal
May 31, 2013 at 7:59 PM

The Jersey City Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is being honored as an international 2013 Computerworld Honors Laureate for implementation of a remarkable, interoperable communication system.
"Interoperability has been a concern since 9/11 because you have all these disparate agencies out there," said OEM Director Greg Kierce said today.

In 2006 the OEM signed on with Mutual Link, an Internet-based system that allows the users to communicate across various frequencies and types of communications, as well as allowing users to tap into various video systems.

At first the system was used to access video links to all Level 1 trauma centers in the Newark/Jersey City Urban Area Security Initiative. But later additions included access to security cameras in the Newport Centre Mall, St. Peter's University, New Jersey City University, Jersey City public schools, Jersey City police closed circuit cameras and the Goldman Sachs building. The local list will be expanding, Kierce said.

The system can also be used to tap into security cameras operated by NJ Transit, FBI, the Port Authority (such as at airports and the PATH), and many more systems. The system uses a "drag and drop" system on a computer to connect to cameras or access communication. Access can be accepted of denied.

If access was granted by numerous organizations, it would be possible to watch a man get off a flight at Liberty International Airport and follow him through the airport and to a parking deck using a series of the security cameras in the facility, Kierce said.

The person might then be spotted on NJ Transit cameras in Newark Penn Station and followed by Port Authority cameras as he got off a train at the Newport/Pavonia Station in Jersey City. From there, he could be followed around inside the Newport Mall as he shopped, Kierce said.

Upon leaving the mall, the person could be followed around Jersey City using a series of the CCTV cameras in the city, Kierce said. The whole time, the system can be used to communicate with the various agencies.

"This is a testament to the hard work of the OEM staff who often go unrecognized. We thank them for their dedication and excellent service for the residents of Jersey City, " Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy said.

The OEM was selected from more than 700 nominations to be named one of 269 Laureates from 29 countries.

Kierce will pick up the award at on June 3 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. He is also slated to speak on communications and the response to superstorm Sandy before a Congressional subcommittee next week.

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