For Immediate Release
Contact: Monique Bond
Phone: (312) 746-9454

Thursday, February 10, 2005 -- Chicago's OEMC announces the launch of a new homeland security grid

CHICAGO - February 10, 2005 -- The City of Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications today announced the launch of a new Homeland Security Grid comprised of over 900-miles of fiber optic cable.

This new grid will enable the City to expand its use of surveillance cameras, biological, chemical, and radiological sensors. These cameras and sensors will simultaneously feed into the City's new Operations Center, where day-to-day coordination of city services and emergency response occurs.

When fully deployed, this system will blanket the City with a virtual shield that provides early detection of a potential terrorist attack. In addition, the Homeland Security Grid will seamlessly tie existing City facilities into one grid, resulting in a significant amount of savings in telecommunications costs.

"This integrated network will serve many purposes as we build upon our homeland security and public safety initiatives," said OEMC Executive Director Ron Huberman.

The grid will be deployed using existing infrastructure from City agencies including the Chicago Department of Transportation, the Chicago Transit Authority and the Office of Emergency Management.

The recently announced settlement with RCN will provide the City with over 380 miles of additional fiber that will be integrated into the grid. This agreement, valued at over $53 million, will enable the City to fully launch this grid in phases over the next 18 months.