Top Emergency Response Programs Honored


SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwire - May 4, 2010) -  Outstanding digital applications that enable first responders to deliver emergency services more effectively were honored this week for their achievement. Recipients of the inaugural Emergency Management Digital Distinction Awards were announced by e.Republic's Center for Digital Government and Emergency Management magazine, producers of the awards.

All emergency management government agencies, including fire, public safety, law enforcement, and homeland security, were invited to submit information technology projects which resulted in measurable improvements in the lives of the people and businesses they serve. 

Cathilea Robinett, executive vice-president for the Center for Digital Government, said,
"We congratulate the winners of the Emergency Management Digital Distinction awards. With budgets tighter than ever, they are outstanding examples of projects and applications which facilitate first responders and ultimately enhance their mission of keeping citizens safe."

"Through their project execution, diligence and determination to serve citizens, these projects embody excellence in the emergency management public sector," said Marty Pastula, vice president for the Emergency Management Media Group. "Congratulations to all recipients."

The Center and Emergency Management thank Microsoft for underwriting the contest and for its support of the first responder community worldwide.

The winners:
Most Innovative Use of Technology
Virginia Interoperability Picture for Emergency Response (VIPER), Va. Department of Emergency Management

Most Efficient Use of Technology
Emergency Operations Center in a Box, Northern Virginia Community College
Forsyth County, Ga., Mobile GIS Emergency Response System

Best Collaboration and Information Sharing
King County, Wash., Regional Collaboration Site
Fusion Center Empowers Utah's Crime Stoppers, Utah Department of Public Safety, Statewide Information & Analysis Center

Best Process Improvement
Integrated Public Warning System, Philadelphia, Pa., Office of Emergency Management
New York Crime Analysis Centers Champion Data Sharing, N.Y. State Division of Criminal Justice Services

Most Cost Effective
Computer Aided Dispatch/Records Management System (CAD/RMS) Application, North Castle, N.Y., Police Department

View winner summaries at http://www.centerdigitalgov.com/.

About the Center for Digital Government
The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. www.centerdigitalgov.com.

About Emergency Management
Emergency Management magazine is the award-winning, all-hazards publication of record for emergency management, public safety and homeland security stakeholders. www.emergencymgmt.com

The Center and Emergency Management are divisions of e.Republic, the nation's leading publishing, research, event and new media company focused on the state and local government and education markets. www.erepublic.com.