E1 See. Hear. Speak.

During a major emergency, there may be nothing more precious than timely information. And the state of Nevada’s emergency response teams want all of the information they can possibly get when they’re called in to take command of unthinkable situations –everything from earthquakes to floods to terrorist attacks. Carson City, EOC

A key to their success will be the state’s $8 million Emergency Operations Center (EOC). It is designed to put the state’s top emergency response decision makers – from the Department of Public Safety to Public Health to Transportation to Welfare – all in one place. They will be able to ensure the right resources are going to the right place at the right time because they have the processes, training and technology that enables everyone to collaborate and coordinate efforts.

The technology comes in the form of two large video walls with a projection screen in the center. The video walls consist of nine LCD screens each – ready to shoot out information to the nearly 70 subject matter experts who could be on hand directing a multiplicity of response efforts.

Helping to implement the technology was ExhibitOne. The system is one of the company’s latest EOC display and audio solutions that are specially created to easily accommodate future enhancement and expansion needs.

Says Kevin Sandler, CEO and President of ExhibitOne, “Based on their budget, we ensured they were up and running with the most important components of their audio and display systems. As a result, in subsequent budget years they can be very targeted and cost effective as they add on incremental capability.”

Right off the bat the Nevada EOC system is displaying 16 simultaneous video images (including cable feeds). It can also display five VGA (computer-based) images – a number that will soon increase to 32. Command Center, Nevada

Sound is also very important. Even under quiet conditions, with ceilings over two stories high and floor space of nearly 3,000 square feet, a sophisticated audio system is needed for people to hear and be heard. Currently, that solution includes wireless microphones and a network of strategically placed speakers mounted in the ceiling and along the walls. In a later phase, each of the Center’s 17 command desks will have their own microphone and speaker system that will enable everyone to communicate without ever knowing that an audio system is in place.

In addition to what is seen within the Center, the display and audio technology links to glassed-off support rooms that, like stadium sky-boxes, look down into the facility from their upper levels. And all of it – the displays, computer and video feeds, sound and more – feeds through a 15 inch state-of-the-art touch screen for quick and easy, centralized control.

Processes, training and technology. In Nevada, they all come together in the Emergency Operations Center. There, in the states’ new Center, disaster response teams are ready to take command of unthinkable situations. They can do it because they now have instant access to one of the most precious resources during a major emergency – information.