From Dave Krikac, Vice President, Marketing
Dialogic Communications Corporation (DCC)
615-790-2882
381 Riverside Drive, Suite 300
Franklin, TN 37064
www.dccusa.com

Not only is it currently feasible to deliver hazard warnings via cell phones, pagers, the Internet, phones, broadcast and cable television, and emerging technologies, it is beneficial to the sender and the receiver to take full advantage of these media devices for the betterment of communications. Such technologies are tremendously more effective, efficient and affordable than time-consuming manual procedures.

Dialogic Communications Corporation (DCC) provides a comprehensive solution to mass notification issues, addressing many of the challenges of interagency, media and public mobilization and communication.

DCC’s The Communicator!^TM high-speed notification system, already utilized by more than 1,100 business, industry and government operations, provides a strong base for a national disaster response network. This proven, secure system places and receives thousands of calls (including TDD/TTY) in minutes, delivering vital information and/or life-saving instruction to residents at risk. Moreover, The Communicator confirms message receipt, prompts for fit-for-duty status or ETA and logs other essential responses. Features include the ability to send pre-recorded messages or to record event-specific information on-the-fly, activate or terminate call-outs remotely by phone, print/fax reports to remote locations, and monitor activity in real-time. The Communicator’s adaptability and reliability allow users to run multiple scenarios simultaneously and ensure 24/7 readiness for any notification need.

To enhance the notification capabilities of The Communicator, DCC offers GIS integration through its desktop mapping interface, GeoNotify^TM. Through the combination of digital, street-level maps and the most accurate phone data available, users can contact each home, business, school, etc., automatically. This interface processes GIS-based information at the rate of up to 18,000 names/phone numbers per minute, initiating first phone warnings within 60-90 seconds from incident identification. Uses include HAZMAT incidents, plume dispersions, evacuations, inclement weather and community policing.

DCC also offers 1Call^TM, a 24-hour back-up service to further expand the communications capabilities of today’s law enforcement agencies, state and local governments, airports/airlines, chemical facilities and other organizations. 1Call provides users with remote access to a secure bank of phone lines should power failures or phone service disruptions affect your on-site system’s ability to place and receive calls. This service provides dependable, worry-free communications for such events as weather warnings, evacuations, utility outages, natural disasters, fires and more.

With DCC’s newest, bi-directional communications application, Reciprix^TM, users can contact anyone, anywhere, anytime, via their media of choice (email, traditional and cell phones, fax or pager). Initiated by one simple email (from any computer employing Microsoft^® Outlook^® 2000, Lotus Notesâ or other integrated management software), Reciprix provides immediate feedback to the sender and compiles the responses for faster and more informed decision-making.

Through such offerings as The Communicator, GeoNotify, 1Call and Reciprix, both interagency and public notification response to disasters will be significantly faster and safer.

With interactive communication technology, there doesn’t have to be a trade-off. Utilizing DCC’s applications, emergency response agencies can take full advantage of the majority of available media devices. In addition to community sirens and radio warnings, you can now use phones, pagers, emails, and faxes to notify tremendously higher numbers of people, better containing disaster fallout.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that for every dollar spent in preventative measures, two are saved in repairs. Automated call-out systems can help communities prepare before disasters occur, maximizing manpower and resources and significantly reducing harm to life and property. The initial cost of purchasing new notification technology is minimal when compared to the benefit of ensuring public safety.

DCC’s high-speed notification product suite allows for greater legal protection for emergency response agencies through receipt and response tracking and detailed audit trails. A caution though, the oversight body of the national warning system must maintain the personal information needed to reach individuals (phone numbers, street and email addresses, pager numbers, etc.) in utmost privacy and use it in emergency situations only.

Legal measures are not necessary.

Regarding technological measures, the oversight body of the national warning system should recommend technology providers to share their customers’ contact information (email addresses, cellular phone and pager numbers, etc.) with government emergency operations. Again, this information must remain confidential.

As for economic measures, community grant funding will enable federal, state and local emergency response agencies to purchase more effective and efficient communications technology, and will assist with annual maintenance fees, additional equipment, training and updates.

Since 1982, over 1,100 public and private organizations spanning 22 countries have integrated DCC’s notification and response solutions into their emergency and corporate communications networks, making DC the established leader in high-speed notification and response technology. The Smithsonian Institute recognized DCC’s technology vision and leadership in April 2000, with the company’s induction into the 2000 ComputerWorld Smithsonian Collection, at the National Museum of American History. For more information, contact DCC’s worldwide headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee at 615.790.2882 or visit www.dccusa.com.