IBM Selected to Build 911 Systems for U.S. Virgin Islands

Market Wire, October, 2008

The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) selected IBM (NYSE: IBM) to assist in building two 911 systems designed to help police, fire and medical services respond faster and more efficiently to emergencies throughout the islands.

IBM will provide technical design and installation, project management, and consulting and testing services for the systems, to be located at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and Kings Hill, St. Croix. In addition, IBM will provide training to 911 operators, first responders, IT support personnel and agency leadership; topics will range from the basics of using the system to improved practices for emergency response.

The systems will feature computer assisted dispatch technology that will promptly provide 911 operators with relevant questions to ask individuals reporting a broad range of emergencies -- including fires, medical crises and crimes. For example, software will instruct an operator responding to a report of an automobile accident to ask about injuries, evidence of fire, whether any roads are blocked and other vital questions. The information will then be relayed to first responders, better equipping them to help those in need.

USVI Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. has been committed to establishing a fully functioning 911 emergency communications system since taking office in 2007. The USVI retained IBM to evaluate the territory's current emergency communications system and work with the first responder community to identify shortfalls and determine the requirements for a new 911 system. This new system will provide for the creation of new call centers with updated technology to support the 911 system, proper training programs and the ability for the Virgin Islands to meet the new federal digital emergency communications standards.

"Our Administration is working to overhaul its outmoded emergency 911 communications system to provide enhanced safety and security for all residents and visitors to the territory. This project represents this administration's long term commitment that will help to protect our residents and visitors from crime as well as natural or man-made disasters and provide a level of safety and security necessary to foster robust economic growth by attracting more businesses and visitors," deJongh said. "We've come to value IBM's technical experience and professional project management."

The project leverages IBM's deep expertise in large-scale systems that integrate computers, networking, telephony, mission-critical applications and call centers.

"An efficient and sophisticated 911 system is one of the key building blocks of modern society," said IBM Partner Jeffrey H. Smith. "The government of the U.S. Virgin Islands understands how this project is expected to assist in improving the quality of life for the islands' residents and many visitors."

The IBM team includes equipment and support from business partners Daycom Systems, BCG/enVision Technologies, Hyperion Inc., Lenovo, and PlantCML.

IBM and the IBM logo are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, or other countries, or both. All other names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to Newsvine

Contacts: Jean P. Greaux, Jr. U.S. Virgin Islands (340) 774-0294 jean.greaux@go.vi.gov John Buscemi IBM (203) 252-9377 jbuscemi@us.ibm.com