Smiths Detection wins Washington DC Metro Contract for Chemical Threat Detection and Video Management System

Smiths Detection today announces the award of an additional five-year contract by the Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) to upgrade and maintain the company’s PROTECT and FirstView anti-terrorism detection and software systems.

PROTECT and FirstView allow transit authorities to monitor multiple chemical warfare sensors, distribute command and control responsibilities among agencies, and integrate WMATA’s hundreds of cameras into a manageable system. The upgrade will include expanded chemical detection libraries and radiological detection capabilities.

Jamie Edgar, Vice President, Smiths Detection, said: “We are pleased with the success of PROTECT and FirstView which are designed to support WMATA’s continued efforts to enhance public safety. These vital tools represent the premiere detection system for mass transit security giving subway operators, first responders and law enforcement personnel the capabilities they need to protect and save lives.”

PROTECT, which stands for the Program for Response Options and Technology Enhancements for Chemical/Biological Terrorism, is designed to counter terrorist attacks by providing early warning chemical detection and response protocols for safeguarding public locations. It provides emergency responders accurate information and real-time modeling of hazard zones in large public spaces, significantly reducing emergency response times.

FirstView is a command and control sensor and video integration management system used to control and coordinate thousands of separate cameras and detection devices. It is used in multiple WMATA locations for networked CCTV viewing and digital video recording.

Smiths Detection (www.smithsdetection.com) designs and makes advanced solutions to detect and identify threats including explosives, chemical agents, biohazards, nuclear, radiation, narcotics, weapons and contraband. A market leader worldwide in providing layered security technologies, Smiths Detection has plants in eight U.S. states. It partners federal and state government agencies and first responders to strengthen homeland security and safeguard the military. Major customers include the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is part of Smiths Group (www.smiths.com), a global leader in the practical application of advanced technologies. Smiths Group employs around 22,000 people, including more than 9,000 in the U.S. where it operates around 100 sites in 40 states. For more information on its U.S. operations: U.S. Fact Book.