press releases/web announcements carleton partners with industry and government to combat terrorism and protect canadians in the event of a disaster
(Ottawa, November 5, 2009) – Ground-breaking software applications to combat terrorism and protect Canadians in the event of a disaster have been developed by Carleton University and AMITA Corporation with planned deployment at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Casualty Care Continuum (CCC), a unique joint project of Carleton’s Human Oriented Technology Lab (HOT Lab) and AMITA Corporation, is a casualty management system targeted for use by the British Columbia Ambulance Service that allows first responders to quickly identify and track victim injuries in the event of a major disaster.
“When industry partners with
government and academia, we can achieve great
success,’’ says Carleton President Roseann
O’Reilly Runte. “By combining
the knowledge of our faculty, the assessed needs of
the community and the capability of business, we can
positively impact the lives of Canadians.”
The casualty tracking system provides a method of transmitting data on victim injuries to health care and emergency co-ordination agencies so they can provide fast and effective emergency response. Hospitals would know exactly what is wrong with victims the moment they arrive and decision-makers could have access to real-time information on the size and scope of the unfolding incident.
The tracking system is based on AMITA’s Rapid Triage Management Workbench (RTMW).
“The RTMW system will enable the B.C. Ambulance Service to move ahead with improved patient tracking and real-time communication with partner agencies and health authorities,’’ says Rene Bernklau, Provincial
Co-ordinator of Hazardous Substance Response for the CBRNE Team Emergency Management Office of the British Columbia Ambulance Service.
“The benefits of the system will be felt downstream by our patients, paramedics, dispatchers and first receivers. The real-time communication technology and support will improve patient care.’’
A second software application, SOCIUS, is already accessible nation-wide by the RCMP. It captures highly technical overviews of incidents involving the terrorist or criminal use of materials such as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The information can be shared with a large community of responders, including military and civilian, in Canada or beyond its borders.
“SOCIUS is an invaluable tool for bomb technicians to remain current on emerging trends related to hazardous devices and the most appropriate means to conduct safe operations and investigations. It is extremely easy to use and maintain high proficiency in all functionalities,” says John Bureaux, former Officer in Charge of the RCMP’s Explosives Disposal and Technology Section and project team lead for the development and implementation of the system.
“The ability for SOCIUS to exchange incident information amongst countries will aid in tracking and interdiction of international terrorists/groups.”
Carleton’s HOT Lab, led by Psychology Professor Gitte Lindgaard, designed the user interface for both systems. Research in the HOT Lab focuses on understanding how interactive technology should be designed to maximize user satisfaction, effectiveness and efficiency. It also ensures that the user interface is visually appealing and user-friendly. Defence R&D Canada is the team lead of CCC, while AMITA provided project management and led the technical system development, featuring the database structure and tracking functionality for both projects.
“Carleton University and AMITA Corporation have a long history of collaboration,” says Sonny Lundahl, the company’s Vice-President of Research and Development.
“Our partnership on these vital systems will protect the lives of Canadians and give law enforcement agencies the upper hand in combating global terrorism.”
The projects received funding through the Chemical, Biological, Radiological-Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Research & Technology Initiative (CRTI). CRTI is led by the Defence R&D Canada (DRDC) – Centre for Security Science (CSS), a joint endeavour between DRDC and Public Safety Canada. DRDC CSS’s mission is to strengthen Canada’s ability to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from incidents that impact on Canada’s safety and security through investments in science and technology.
AMITA Corporation
Founded in 1985, AMITA Corporation is a public safety and emergency management solutions company that offers IT consulting, commercialized software solutions and expertise in CBRNE-based research and development programs. Focusing on the industries of law enforcement/first responders, military/defence and public health, AMITA serves the requirements of government, health care, public safety and emergency management agencies in the areas of counter-terrorism, IED, mass casualty triage and CBRNE incidents. For more information, visit
www.amita.com.
Carleton University
Located in the nation’s capital, Carleton University is a dynamic research and teaching institution with a tradition of leading change. Its internationally recognized faculty, staff and researchers provide more than 24,000 full- and part-time students from every province and more than 100 countries around the world with academic opportunities in more than 65 programs of study, including public affairs, journalism, film studies, engineering, high technology, and international studies. Carleton’s creative, interdisciplinary and international approach to research has led to many significant discoveries and creative works in science and technology, business, governance, public policy and the arts. As an innovative institution Carleton is uniquely committed to developing solutions to real-world problems by pushing the boundaries of knowledge and understanding daily.
For more information:
Steve Blais
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
613-520-2600 x1391 steve_blais@carleton.ca
Shelley Bryen
SR Manager, Marketing Communications
AMITA Corporation and WorldReach Software
613-742-6482 x209 shelley.bryen@amita.com
amita re-launches corporate website —
January 2009
AMITA Corporation is pleased to announce the re-launch of the company’s corporate website AMITA.com. The new website supports AMITA’s vision and strategy as an emergency management and public safety solutions company, that offers IT consulting, commercialized software solutions and expertise in CBRNE–based research & development programs.
Monica Preston,
President of AMITA Corporation commented on
the re-launch:
"We are very excited about this new look for AMITA.com. Our website is an important
communication tool for our clients and our
partners, not only in Canada but
internationally. We feel that with this new site we have enhanced the visual aesthetics and the communication of our message as a prominent public safety and emergency management solutions company.”
ABOUT
