Wesley Clark Keynotes 'New England Prepared' Conference on Critical Homeland Security Communications Needs
Originally published on Yahoo Financial News
Wesley Clark Keynotes ''New England Prepared'' Conference on Critical Homeland Security Communications Needs
Tuesday December 13, 10:00 am ET
Leading Public Safety Experts and Business Leaders Focus on the Role of Communications in Local and State Security
Sprint Nextel hosted the New England Prepared Conference at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough today to highlight the latest wireless technology and its role in business, public safety and emergency preparedness. General Wesley Clark, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, addressed the importance of improving public and private partnerships and interoperable communications during emergencies.
The event focused on the day-to-day and emergency communications needs facing police, fire, emergency management and other public safety and health officials. Sprint Nextel is hosting a series of emergency preparedness communications conferences around the country designed to educate government, public safety and education officials.
In addition, several wireless technology providers demonstrated the latest wireless solutions for public safety organizations and industries such as transportation, construction, healthcare, and manufacturing to New England business and public safety officials.
One area that the forum addressed is interoperability - the idea that public safety officials must have the ability to easily manage and directly connect with one another through reliable and secure communications regardless of agency, jurisdiction or department.
"It's imperative to expand the dialogue about interoperable communications among public safety officials," said General Clark, underscoring the immediate need to address these issues. "It's at the very core of emergency preparedness."
"It is vital to the emergency preparedness of this country to have a quality and ubiquitous wireless infrastructure in place," said Chris Hackett, Sprint vice president of public sector programs. "We look to the public safety community for their support to assure that wireless service is there when needed," he added.
In addition to Clark, who is now vice chairman at James Lee Witt Associates, Kerry Healey, the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts and Patrick Lynch, Attorney General of Rhode Island as well as William Pessemier, Executive Communications Systems Advisor for the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the former Incident Commander for Columbine High School addressed the attendees.
