MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 07, 2007

Contact: George L. Martinez

Tampa Bay Export Assistance Center

U.S. Department of Commerce

Clearwater: T-727-893-3738, F-727-893-3839

Tampa: T-813-864-6508, F-813-864-6509

E-Mail: george.martinez@mail.doc.gov

Macedonian Delegation to Tap Local Officials and Companies for Emergency Management Operations Expertise

CLEARWATER, FL – Macedonia’s National Crisis Management Center will visit the EpiCenter in Clearwater this week to tap the expertise of local emergency management officials. The delegation will also meet with several Pinellas County companies supplying state-of-the-art technologies for emergency operations.  Ready Alert Services, NIACORP, TrekServe and Frontline Communications will present to the Macedonian group.

The country of Macedonia is reorganizing their national Crisis Management Center and looking to Pinellas and Hillsborough counties for best practices as they build their improved systems.  The objective of the orientation visit, sponsored by the United States Trade Development Agency, is to introduce the delegation to both federal and municipal emergency management and response professionals.  The group will learn about the necessary technology platforms for coordinating integrated emergency communications systems.  The collaboration of expertise and technology will be applied to improve the functionality of Macedonia’s emergency response systems.

Event:         Macedonian Delegation Luncheon with a tour of Frontline Communications mobile command center

Date:          Monday, December 10, 2007

Location:     The EpiCenter, 13805 58^th Street North, Clearwater, FL  33760                                    

Agenda:      12:00 p.m.      Luncheon and Welcome Remarks

                  1:10 p.m.       Delegation Introductions

                  1:30 p.m.       Company presentations

For more information, please contact George L. Martinez at the Tampa Bay Export Assistance Center, (727) 893-3738, george.martinez@mail.doc.gov

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