Whatcom County Prepares for Disaster Exercise
BELLINGHAM, WA – May 6, 2008 − PIER Systems, Inc., leading provider of the online public information software PIER, announces today its involvement in the Whatcom County Disaster Exercise held on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. The simulated event involves the Washington National Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Army officials, in addition to local firefighters, police and other first responder agencies. As officials practice disaster response, PIER will be implemented for its easy-to-use web based platform and will be the primary communication tool for the event.
The majority of the drill will occur off Alderson Road in the Birch Bay area as officials stage a truck containing 4,000 gallons of a toxic chemical en route to the Alcoa Intalco Works aluminum plant or BP Cherry Point Refinery exploded, injuring or killing hundreds.
“This is a great opportunity for PIER users to see the technology at work. With the severity of the exercise, it is crucial for officials to communicate internally and with the media,” said Marc Mullen, Senior Vice President of PIER Systems, Inc. “In today’s instant news world, an event, such as this disaster exercise, requires immediate communication, and that is exactly what PIER will provide.”
The goal of Tuesday’s exercise is to help local agencies know how and when to pass off an incident to state and federal officials. Everyone involved at the local level will use PIER to work as a team, and thoroughly carry out and administrate a wide range of critical communication tasks to meet the drill’s objective.
To learn more about PIER Systems, visit www.PIERSystems.com .
About PIER Systems
The PIER System is an all-in-one, Web-based solution for communications management, emergency response, public relations, business continuity and more. PIER is used by many Fortune 500 companies and leading organizations including the American Red Cross, BP, Boeing, Houston UASI, LADWP, Marathon, NASA, University of Houston, USDA and the US Coast Guard. PIER's robust features provide the technology needed to communicate during routine events, minor incidents and major catastrophes affecting employees, the public, investors, the media, and other key stakeholders. Features include mass notification, press release distribution, inquiry management, document approval, Web content management, detailed reporting, social media integration and more. Visit www.PIERSystems.com to learn more about PIER.
About O'Brien's Response Management
O'Brien's Response Management (O'Brien'sRM) was formed in 2008, with the integration of three world-class providers of emergency preparedness, response management and compliance services; The O'BRIEN'S Group, O'Brien Oil Pollution Services (OOPS), and Response Management Associates (RMA). The name O'Brien's has quickly become synonymous with unmatched expertise and experience in the fields of environmental compliance, emergency preparedness (e.g. plans, training and exercises), incident response management, throughout the maritime, petrochemical and energy industries, as well as local, state and federal agencies with responsibilities for emergency preparedness and disaster response.
For more information contact:
Katie Schafer
PIER Systems, Inc.
Phone: (360) 756-8080
Fax: (360) 756-5264
1204 Railroad Ave
Suite 200
Bellingham, WA 98225
kschafer@piersystems.com
