Leaders in the Emergency Management Industry Form EXML Consortium to Establish Interoperability Standards.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

International Association of Emergency Management

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 14, 2002

Leading companies in the emergency management industry announced today the formation of the EXML Consortium to promote and establish commercial interoperability standards for companies providing software solutions to emergency management personnel, particularly first responders. Information about the EXML Consortium will be available at the booths of participating companies at the International Association of Emergency Management Annual Meeting being held in Columbus, Ohio, October 12-16, 2002.

Recognizing the urgent need to provide first responders and others involved in preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies of all kinds with the support they need, the following companies have committed to creating an open XML-based standard for emergency management data exchange. This will ensure that first responders, emergency and event managers, public health agency officials and executive management in both the public and private sectors can create and immediately share critical information during an emergency or major event.

Founding members of the EXML Consortium include:

-- AlertTech

-- BizCom USA

-- Blue292

-- ESRI

-- E Team, Inc.

-- International Analytics (Division of Ship Analytics)

-- NC4tm

-- SAIC

-- Visual Risk

-- WebEOC

The charter companies invite all those interested in joining the consortium to an introductory Web-based meeting to be scheduled in early November. The purpose of the meeting is to provide interested parties with an overview of the Consortium, including its charter, organizational structure and timeline. To register for the meeting, contact Chanice DeCarlo at [e-mail] or by telephone at [phone] ext. 200.