Securing Our Nation's Waterways (pdf).  Click link to read or download a recent article discussing training designed by STS.

STS International Demonstrates MCAMS Dynamic Security Surveillance and Assessment Capability at Rescue Challenge 2006

Utica, New York (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 exercise, STS deployed MCAMS, “Man-portable Camera Assisted Monitoring System”, to conduct perimeter security and surveillance of the urban search and rescue sites.  Rescue Challenge 2006 also offered STS the opportunity to reveal the more expansive and truly dynamic capabilities of MCAMS with a widening range of applicability among interested stakeholders.  Among its unique features, 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 as part of the search and rescue exercise.  MCAMS gained popularity among attendees, and ultimately generated new market awareness and opportunities for STS and industry stakeholders.

The urban search and rescue simulation exercise took place over two days during which technical rescue teams operated in response to terrorist attack that caused a building collapse trapping and severely injuring many.  As the exercise ensued, interest in MCAMS grew and its benefits became apparent among various new stakeholders such as commanders.  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.

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)

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