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News, Publications and Events Past News
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Past News Releases
STS International Demonstrates Man-portable Camera Assisted Monitoring System's (MCAMS) Dynamic Security Surveillance and Assessment Capabilities at Rescue Challenge 2006 in New York Utica, NY (STS) November 2, 2006 -- On October 21-22, 2006, STS attended Rescue Challenge 2006 where New York State’s offices of homeland security and fire prevention sponsored, in cooperation with Utica's fire department, an urban search and rescue exercise. For the search and rescue exercise, STS deployed MCAMS to conduct perimeter security and surveillance to assist in securing the search and rescue sites. Rescue Challenge 2006 presented STS the opportunity to reveal MCAMS expansive and dynamic capabilities applicable to a widening range of potential users. MCAMS provides two-man-portable, rapidly deployable surveillance and assessment capabilities to detect and identify activity within a designated area such as those sites secured for the urban search and rescue exercise. The system gained popularity among attendees, and ultimately generated new market awareness and opportunities for STS and industry stakeholders.
Over the course of the rest of the event, STS discovered more opportunities for MCAMS. For example, police department officials and personnel expressed interest in using MCAMS for urban surveillance and in its wireless capability for use during stakeouts where units are located away from the site under surveillance. Another notable inquiry came from the fire department’s interest in MCAMS’ thermal and portable characteristics. Currently, there exists an ever-growing need to provide effective security surveillance and assessment capabilities to meet the challenges faced by technical search and rescue teams across the industry. Whether it is a terrorist attack or a disaster recovery operation, MCAMS offers an integrated and effective solution to safeguard and protect critical infrastructures, key assets, and human lives. In particular, when circumstances demand rapid deployment and portability to achieve mission success, MCAMS uniquely serves as a force multiplier. Although MCAMS is adaptable to suit a wide spectrum of requirements, presently the system is ideally configured to satisfy the needs of Department of Defense (DoD) tactical operations, law enforcement, emergency and disaster response and recovery agencies, and industrial security. MCAMS enjoyed great success at Rescue Challenge 2006. Participation and engagement at such an event enables STS to continue to build partnerships, grow market awareness, and develop efficient innovative solutions to answer the needs confronting our customers today and in the future. Please visit the STS web site soon for updates containing important information about STS and its constantly evolving range of products, services, and integrated solutions. For additional information about MCAMS, please contact Terry Newgreen at 727-828-1277. (Contributed by J. Morgan) ### STS Awarded TSWG Contract for Computer-Based Training Program Feb 2006 - STS was awarded a $ 300,000 contract from Technical Support Working Group (TSWG) to develop a computer-based training program for the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to promote and expand opportunities for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) training program. Since 9-11 the mitigation of port security risk has become a national priority. With effective training, state and local law enforcement agencies can expand their role to tactical operations on regulated ships in cooperation with the US Coast Guard. The National Terrorism Preparedness Institute (NTPI) has awarded STS a contract that, under the direction of the TSWG, will create the opportunity to extend this valuable training and expertise, as established on a national level, to maritime law enforcement agencies. Traditionally, the law enforcement role of state and local maritime agencies has been limited to the realm of “small boats” – vessels sized less than 300 GT (Gross Tonnage) and unregulated by existing Marine Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulations and requirements. Within the “small boats” realm, these agencies possess a wealth of expertise and operational knowledge; however, they lack similar expertise and knowledge when interacting with regulated vessels. Conventionally, the larger vessels fall under the jurisdiction of the US Coast Guard. To effectively partner with the USCG and other federal agencies as well as mirror their tactical strategy, state and local agencies require training focused on the development of a compatible maritime tactical force. To fulfill this need STS will create a computer-based interactive training program to function as an introductory requirement for maritime operational training. The goal of the training will provide tactical boarding teams and boat operators with background knowledge associated with the tactical aspects of ship escorts, security zones, ship boarding and search of regulated vessels. STS will work closely with experts from the NASBLA and USGC in designing the new training package. Founded in 1993, STS is headquartered in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia and has offices in St. Petersburg and Falls Church, Virginia. STS is a systems engineering and integration firm with a proven track record for providing security solutions that meet the critical needs of the Department of Defense, federal agencies, and commercial industry customers. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is the association that represents the boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories. NASBLA is working to achieve seamless uniformity for boating laws from state-to-state by encouraging reciprocity of boating laws, and by establishing standards for boating safety education and boating law enforcement practices. National Terrorism Preparedness Institute (NTPI) was founded in May of 1998 as a result of the Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Act with the intent of providing Emergency Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorism Training to first responders nationwide. NTPI is located at St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Technical Support Working Group (TSWG) is the U.S. national forum that identifies, prioritizes, and coordinates interagency and international research and development (R&D) requirements for combating terrorism. The TSWG rapidly develops technologies and equipment to meet the high priority needs of the combating terrorism community, and addresses joint international operational requirements through cooperative R&D with major allies. |
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The urban search and rescue simulation exercise took place over two days during which technical rescue teams operated as if they would in an actual incident. This scenario presented an incident in which a terrorist attack caused a building to collapse trapping and severely injuring many citizens. As the exercise ensued, interest in MCAMS grew and its benefits became apparent among various attendees and stakeholders. For instance, the Deputy State Fire Administrator of NY requested that we place the MCAMS head inside the building to monitor activity, so we relocated the base station to inside the command tent. At this point, commanders responsible for directing and facilitating collaboration among technical rescue teams recognized MCAMS’ unique benefits. Using MCAMS commanders could monitor internal and external activity within a search and rescue site. As a result, commanders could more effectively coordinate technical rescue teams and improve overall performance.