Retired Assistant Oklahoma City Fire Chief to Speak to Government Professionals on How Technology Can Save Lives During a Crisis

Event Hosted by Synergis Engineering Design Solutions

QUAKERTOWN, Pa., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- In the wake of the nation's devastating hurricanes, Synergis Technologies(R) Engineering Design Solutions Division announced today that Jon Hansen, Autodesk Emergency Response Expert and Assistant Chief of the Oklahoma City Fire Department (ret), will speak at a complimentary special event, "How Technology Can Save Lives," for federal, state and local government and GIS professionals, focusing on how technology and access to data can save lives during a crisis. Hansen will identify common technological challenges that are faced by emergency personnel when responding to acts of terrorism and natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes, and hurricane destruction. He will also share his experiences as Assistant Fire Chief at the scene of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995 in Oklahoma City, and recount his most recent endeavors assisting in the Gulf Coast recovery efforts. Here are the event details:

  DATE:  Tuesday, November 15

  TIME:  5:30 - 8:00 PM

  LOCATION: Angelo's Fairmount Tavern, 2300 Fairmount Ave, Atlantic City, NJ
  08401

  TO REGISTER: Call 800-836-5440 or visit www.synergis.com. Space is
  limited.

  Complimentary dinner buffet will be served.

  The event will cover an organization's need for:
   -- Coordination - Discover the advantages of a Unified Command Structure
      and why it is a highly recommended management concept for coordinating
      responses to emergency incidents by two or more service agencies.
   -- Interoperability - Realize that CAD and GIS can work in unison,
      sharing information across disparate systems, as well as with public
      and private sectors.
   -- Response - Understand why an integral part of a Crisis Management
      Response Planning is having CAD drawings of buildings preloaded in a
      system and on hand immediately when a crisis strikes.
   -- Solution - Walk away from this event with an appreciation for having
      all essential systems preloaded and available to utilize as a planning
      tool when the unthinkable happens.

  About Jon Hansen

Hansen is well-known for his presence as the "voice" of Oklahoma City during the Murrah Building Bombing and rescue work which followed. When the F5 tornado (with the highest windspeeds ever recorded) devastated much of central Oklahoma, Hansen helped establish the Incident Management team to handle this major large-scale disaster. Due to his experience with both natural and man- made large-scale incidents, Hansen was President Bush's nominee for U.S. Fire Administrator, the highest position in the fire service, in 2000. He is currently assisting in the Gulf Coast Recovery Effort and working with Autodesk as a specialist to develop and market innovative software programs which help emergency service organizations and public agencies respond to mass-casualty ALL-Hazard incidents, Weapons of Mass Destruction/Homeland Security challenges, and meet the needs during many other kinds of disasters and emergencies.

About Synergis Engineering Design Solutions

Synergis' Engineering Design Solutions, an independent division of Synergis(R) Technologies, Inc., is a leading Autodesk(R) Value Added Reseller for Manufacturing, Infrastructure, and Building Solutions in the Mid-Atlantic region. Headquartered in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, it is also recognized as an Autodesk(R) Premier Solutions Provider (PSP), Manufacturing Specialist, Autodesk's highest level of authorization. The Engineering Design Solutions Division provides companies in Manufacturing, Government, AEC, and related industries the best quality Autodesk software, training, professional services, and support to ensure their maximum productivity, competitive business advantage, and return on investment. As an Autodesk(R) Authorized Training Center, Synergis provides onsite customized and classroom training at five convenient locations, taught by Autodesk Certified Experts. For more information on the Engineering Design Solutions Division, visit www.synergis.com or call 800-836-5440.

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