Ordia Solutions Strengthens Critical Infrastructure Protection at Pittsburgh Steelers’ Heinz Field

Ordia Solutions’ Mobile Tactical Collaboration System™ integrated with advanced personnel tracking system AdvanTraq™ GPS deliver visual tactical interoperable communications, common operating picture, and real-time command and control situational awareness to a multi-jurisdictional, multidisciplinary taskforce executing proactive operations for buffer zone and critical infrastructure protection at Heinz Field during the November 5, 2007 National Football League’s Pittsburgh Steelers versus Baltimore Ravens Monday Night Football game

Pittsburgh, PA, and Vienna, VA, November 26, 2007 – Ordia Solutions, the leading provider of tactical, interoperable, collaborative, and mobile command and control systems for public safety agencies announces the successful deployment earlier this month of its next generation collaborative command and control platform Mobile Tactical Collaboration System™ (MTCS) and advanced personnel tracking system AdvanTraq™ GPS for buffer zone and critical infrastructure protection at Heinz Field. Against the backdrop of the Steelers’ 75th season franchise celebration and the largest assembly of Steelers Hall of Famers (and future Hall of Famers) in history, Pittsburgh Fire, EMS, SWAT, Protective Intelligence, HazMat and Emergency Preparedness agencies were joined by representatives from Steelers Security, Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County, Region 13, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and US Coast Guard to form a joint security taskforce to provide a safe, secure, and fan-friendly experience to the 70,000+ fans, employees, vendors, and teams participating in this multi-day multi-venue celebration and nationally televised game.

Mobile Tactical Collaboration System™ integrated with AdvanTraq™ GPS provided the visual tactical interoperable communication solution enabling commanders at various mobile command posts and operators in and around Heinz Field to attain real-time command and control situational awareness. The Tactical Commander at the Mobile Command Center developed MTCS workspaces to establish and monitor perimeters and the buffer zone around Heinz Field, and to communicate boundaries to dozens of officers manning traffic control points and other security details inside the Field. AdvanTraq™ GPS trackers were assigned to members of the Quick Reaction Team, Protective Intelligence, and Airborne assets. The Operation Commander, who visited several parts of the venue on foot, maintained “topsight” at all times over the vast security assets inside and outside Heinz Field with a one-pound OQO model 02, the world’s smallest full-featured ultra-mobile handheld PC, displaying MTCS workspaces. The Quick Response Team Leader was also equipped with a handheld OQO running MTCS that he used to obtain visual, clear and unambiguous directions from one of the Tactical Commanders’ MTCS workspaces, to deliver updated instructions to team members, and to communicate tactics and changing requirements to superiors.

“The Ordia Solutions software was very helpful in the tactical management of this special event by allowing Tactical and Operation Commanders to see a dynamic but common operating picture of the area of operation”, said Scott Schubert, Commander, Special Deployment Division, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Operation Commander. “The system enabled the Tactical Commanders to preplan aspects of the event, plot traffic control posts, staging areas, and the security buffer zone so authorized personnel and senior leadership observing the security operation could see what precautions were being taken, the location, movement and area of responsibility of each unit. MTCS workspaces allowed the respective Commander of each specialty unit to monitor their personnel with the use of Ordia’s GPS trackers and handheld computers, and direct them to areas they may have missed during their patrol.” He further added “As the event unfolded and security patrols proceeded, Commanders were able to monitor location of personnel with minimal radio chatter as MTCS provides a text messaging capability in the Incident Log, allowing airtime to be freed for other communication.” This was the largest multi-agency security taskforce deployment in Pittsburgh since the 2006 Major League Baseball All Star Game at adjoining PNC Park, which Schubert also commanded.

“The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 75th anniversary franchise celebration and Monday Night Football game was a unique source of pride for the team, its legions of fans around the world, and the city it calls home” noted Joe E. Ordia, Chairman and CEO, Ordia Solutions. “As a high profile multi-day multi-venue special event, this was an ideal occasion for Pittsburgh’s Public Safety agencies to deploy new visual tactical interoperable communication solutions in a real-world environment with an expanded multi-agency security taskforce. MTCS integrated with AdvanTraq™ GPS delivered a force-multiplier advantage to the taskforce as it enabled commanders at various mobile command posts and operators in and around Heinz Field to attain real-time command and control situational awareness while minimizing ineffective or redundant taskforce member positioning.” He concluded “This successful deployment once again highlights
• the capability of the MTCS platform to significantly enhance the effectiveness of commanders and operators in multi-agency taskforces to proactively secure critical infrastructures as complex as major sporting events at the collegiate, professional, or international levels, including DHS-designated National Special Security Events, and
• the versatility of the same MTCS platform to be used for additional public safety activities including coordinating the search for a missing person or fugitive tracking, re-routing traffic as a result of a major vehicular accident or evacuation order, dignitary protection and transport, timely, coordinated, and effective tactical response to campus security incidents, and SWAT operations.”

About Mobile Tactical Collaboration System™ (MTCS) & AdvanTraq™ GPS
MTCS is the flagship product of Ordia Solutions. Developed using industry standard Web 2.0-based technologies, MTCS represents the next generation of tactically-focused, easy-to-use, intuitive, and web-based collaborative command and control solutions for public safety. Because a picture is worth a thousand words, MTCS enhances public safety officers’ ability to communicate and collaborate visually and in real-time using tactical graphics, digital maps, and shared workspaces. It facilitates the rapid sketching and development of multiple pre-planned scenarios, one or more of which can be executed based on real-time contingencies and at the discretion of commanders and other senior leadership. The MTCS platform addresses the “5Cs of Interoperability” for tactical commanders, operators and other first responders - communication, collaboration, coordination, command and control. This level of interoperability is a must for critical incidents requiring multi-jurisdictional and multidisciplinary response, and for the related real-world exercises necessary to sharpen the tactical proficiencies of commanders and operators. As a network-based application, MTCS provides access to authorized, geographically dispersed team members to interact and collaborate in the same “virtual” command post, using mobile data terminals or ultra mobile PCs connected via secure wireless broadband, or other PCs connected to the secure network. Microsoft® Virtual Earth™ is the standard mapping imagery delivered with MTCS and customer-specific imagery can be incorporated.

AdvanTraq™ GPS is a portfolio of advanced tracking solutions for personnel, vehicle, K9, and cargo that operates as standalone solutions or integrated with and traceable through a Mobile Tactical Collaboration System™ workspace. Integrated, AdvanTraq GPS and MTCS provide tactical commanders and other senior leadership an unprecedented level of real-time situational awareness of an executing operation and its operators, significantly increasing operator safety and accountability. AdvanTraq GPS employs tracking technologies from GLC Enterprises of Naperville IL. The versatility of the MTCS platform enables it to be used by law enforcement, Fire/EMS, Search and Rescue, and EOC personnel in a variety of command and control scenarios. These include perimeter and border security, critical infrastructure protection, port security, dignitary transport and protection, timely, coordinated, and effective tactical response to campus security incidents, SWAT operations, major sporting event security coordination, man-made or environmental disaster security response, multi-alarm and wildland fire suppression coordination, real-world preparedness training and exercises, post-incident analysis, and numerous other more routine day-to-day public safety activities.

About Ordia Solutions
Headquartered in Vienna VA, Ordia Solutions, Inc. is the leading provider of tactical, interoperable, collaborative, and mobile command and control solutions for public safety. Founded in 2005, the company’s mission is to enable first responders and tactical teams to rapidly leverage emerging relevant technologies in order to increase mission effectiveness and maximize public safety. For more information, visit www.ordiasolutions.com, e-mail sales@ordiasolutions.com, or call (703) 752-6252.

Contact Information

Alfred P Toussaint Jr

Media Contact for Ordia Solutions

Nova Technology Partners

Contact via E-mail