Michael Baker International Introduces Public Safety Practice, Providing Greater Support to the First Responder Community

Company Unique in Industry as it Serves Next Generation 9-1-1 and FirstNet Programs

Pittsburgh (April 7, 2016) - Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, today officially launched its Public Safety practice to support first responders – police, fire, emergency medical response and 9-1-1 operators – with a full continuum of innovative solutions and services.
 
The Public Safety practice leverages a team of long-time leaders in public safety and geographic information systems (GIS) innovation. Based on its record of success in GIS, broadband, telecommunications and public safety service, among other sectors, the group offers complementary products, services and support capabilities

• Public safety products and services: Addressing the national mandate for next-generation  9-1-1 technology (NG9-1-1) upgrades, Michael Baker works with municipalities to provide its GIS-centric solution for NG9-1-1 – a suite of products and services known as DataMark™ – to support the NG9-1-1 call routing environment.
• FirstNet consulting and strategic planning relative to public safety technology: Michael Baker partners directly with states to support the integration of FirstNet, the forthcoming nationally-funded high-speed wireless broadband network dedicated exclusively to more than five million first responders. As part of the efforts, Michael Baker conducts educational and outreach programs to public safety stakeholders, collects data and advises on coverage and capacity needs in advance of the opt-in/opt-out decision by each state’s governor.

“Our Public Safety practice differentiates us in the market because we have the experience and capability to lead the implementation of both NG9-1-1 and FirstNet integration in local and state governments,” said Sandi Stroud, public safety national director at Michael Baker International. “Our teams have operated in these markets for years, establishing relationships with first responders and emergency managers, which helps us to efficiently advance NG9-1-1 and FirstNet projects.”

Michael Baker’s DataMark GIS for NG9-1-1

The NG9-1-1 architecture represents an inevitable overhaul and redesign of the nation's legacy 9-1-1 systems. It will allow any telecommunications device with Internet connectivity to reach a 9-1-1 call center or a public safety answering point (PSAP) for emergency services. The business of emergency response ultimately comes down to saving lives and minimizing property damage. This is why the transition to an IP-based system requires quality GIS data as it becomes mission critical to transmit a call to the PSAP.
 
Michael Baker’s DataMark suite of software solutions and services support PSAPs and their GIS stakeholders in this mission critical transition. DataMark solves upgrade challenges, helps improve public-safety communications and ensures the data meets the precise NG9-1-1 requirements. The software considers all aspects of the data that is provisioned to a NG9-1-1 system (data creation, clean up, quality and maintenance workflows). With extensive expertise in GIS and public safety, Michael Baker can help GIS departments determine what they need to do in order to support NG9-1-1. 
 
FirstNet Integration

A federal plan will be developed for all U.S. states and territories for the national rollout of FirstNet.  Michael Baker’s State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP) planning work in several states dating back to 2013 has positioned the company as a key resource for FirstNet integration to   public safety agencies, counties and federally recognized tribes in both urban and rural coverage areas across the country.
 
“Combining our FirstNet expertise with our DataMark platform allows Michael Baker to offer a single point of contact and interoperability as PSAPs integrate NG9-1-1 systems and prepare for the FirstNet overhaul,” said Michael Anderson, associate vice president of GIT at Michael Baker International and lead for the company’s FirstNet initiatives. “Michael Baker’s knowledge and experience is unique in the industry as we bring extensive work in public safety, telecommunications, engineering, broadband and GIS integration.”
 
For more information about Michael Baker’s Public Safety practice, visit: www.datamarkgis.com.
 
About Michael Baker International

Michael Baker International is a leading global provider of engineering and consulting services, which include planning, architectural, environmental, construction, program management, and full life-cycle support services as well as information technology and communications services and solutions. The company provides its comprehensive range of services and solutions in support of U.S. federal, state, and municipal governments, foreign allied governments, and a wide range of commercial clients.  Michael Baker International has more than 6,000 employees in more than 90 locations across the U.S. and internationally. To learn more, visit www.mbakerintl.com.

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