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 .