PRESS RELEASE:
 
                       SONY IPELA & VIDEOCONFERENCING TRANSFORMS
                       FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING FOR ILLINOIS VILLAGE 

                            PCS-1 and PCS-G70 Systems Free Resources, Connect Local
                            Hospitals, Fire Departments PALATINE, Ill., Feb. XX, 2006
 
         A Sony IPELA videoconferencing network is revolutionizing the training process for the Village of Palatine (Ill.) fire department, creating a new model for first responders across the country.
           The system links five Sony PCS-1 communications systems located in separate fire houses to a PCS-G70 codec unit in the villages city hall, allowing the department to conduct virtual training sessions.

           Ongoing training is crucial for firefighters, but until now, it required taking personnel of-duty to attend off-site sessions, said Fred Hoegler, Palatine Deputy Fire Chief.  With this videoconferencing system, we bring the training to the firefighters making better use of everyones time and resources.
                  Firefighters can stay up-to-date on the latest information, while remaining in their houses and ready to respond to any situation at a moments notice.

          According to Hoegler, finding ways to streamline training has become critical in recent years for the 100 firefighters serving Palatines population of 69,000. A Village firefighter spends approximately 20 hours each month attending classes relating to fire fighting and safety alone.
          Palatines firefighters also serve as paramedics and have homeland security responsibilities, which put additional demands on their already limited time.
          Using the Sony IPELA videoconferencing system, training is now conducted during downtime at the station, resulting in significant cost and time savings for the Village of Palatine as well as improved services. 
             To implement this new training system, Hoegler worked closely with Bob Mack, president of Computer Sports Group, a local Sony value added reseller, to select the proper equipment to make this concept a reality. 

           The Sony IPELA combination of the PCS-1 systems and the PCSG70 codec was logical choice for its ease of use, affordability, and simplicity of implementation. The PCS-1 and PCSG70s dual ISDN and IP connectivity and support for a wide range of standards including MPEG-4 and H.264 enable easy integration and interoperability.  Exceptional imaging capabilities come through the efficient use of bandwidth up to 2 Mbps over IP networks and up to 768 Kbps over the ISDN network. Hoegler sees training as just one of many potential uses for the Sony communications network as the system evolves. Responding effectively to emergencies requires an intensely collaborative effort among people and technology, said Hoegler.
 
           This initial implementation of our training system is the first step in the creation of a network that will stretch across the entire region, and can hopefully create a new model for first responders nationwide.
           While the PCS-1 and PCSG70s ISDN capabilities assure backward compatibility, the focus of the Palatine system is on IP-based capabilities to connect over wireless networks according to Bill Bryk, vice president of sales for Computer Sports Group, the Itasca, Illinois-based value added reseller that worked with Hoegler on the project.
           He expects that Palatines installation will serve as a model for others in Illinois, noting that approximately 400 communities are currently applying for homeland security grants so they can install similar systems.
           Palatine appreciates the potential of videoconferencing and what it means to be able to make that truck, that squad car, that emergency vehicle all network-capable,& Bryk said. What there doing is a perfect example of combining technology with personnel resources, to create a solution that can ultimately save lives.