Capturx Software for Digital Pens Used to Fight Raging Wildfires in California
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Capturx Software for Digital Pens Used to Fight Raging Wildfires in California

SEATTLE, WA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- Mar 09, 2009 -- As prolonged drought continues in California, fire teams are preparing for the new reality of a year-round fire season. In recent years, California has faced record destruction and evacuations due to fires, prompting Governor Schwarzenegger to declare "we need every firefighting resource and tool on ready alert, so we can spring to action when disaster strikes." Effective fire response requires advance planning and understanding of variable terrains and changing conditions. To quickly plan and respond to these rapidly changing wildfires, Adapx announced today that Captain Michael Hoose from the Santa Barbara Fire Department is using Capturx for ArcGIS to quickly track and share conditions using paper maps and digital pens that automatically integrate field notes into GIS systems.

Capturx for ArcGIS was deployed recently to help respond to the Chalk Fire that burned more than 16,000 acres in the Los Padres National Forest, adjacent to several heavily populated areas in the Monterrey-Carmel Valley region. Using the Capturx digital pens and standard paper maps, teams quickly collected important data such as hazard areas, water sources, archeological spots, and safety zones from the scene of the wildfires. Once the information was stored on the digital pen, the response teams automatically uploaded the data into the county's mapping geodatabase which was located at the Incident Command Post (ICP).

"Prior to using Capturx, our field teams would have to return to the ICP early enough so that they could make copies of the paper maps, then share their notes and observations with a GIS specialist, who would manually enter that information into a computer," said Captain Michael Hoose, 14-year veteran of the Santa Barbara City Fire Department. "Capturx saves us countless hours of digitizing information which means field observers can collect more accurate and up-to-the-minute intelligence in the field. As a result, we can better determine the best course of action for how we want to respond to the wildfire."

Training is not required for field observers because the pen works with ordinary paper and writes like any standard ballpoint pen. Data from multiple field observers can easily be aggregated together, providing a complete picture of field events.

"We're extremely pleased with Capturx for ArcGIS, it's easy to use and most importantly -- assists us in making the right decision at the right time," adds Hoose.

To access the complete case study on how Captain Hoose utilized the Capturx software, please visit Adapx's Web site at: http://www.adapx.com/CaseStudy_Wildfire.

Teams can also learn more about Capturx Solutions for Wildfire and Emergency Response at the following hands-on workshops and conferences this spring:

    Wildland Urban Interface
    March 24 & 25, 2009
    ESRI Booth #616
    Grand Sierra Resort & Casino
    Reno, Nevada

    SAR-GIS User Group Meeting
    April 10-12, 2009
    Hands-On Workshop
    Joshua Tree National Park

    FDIC
    April 20-25, 2009
    ESRI Booth #900
    Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium
    Indianapolis, Indiana

    10th Annual Wildland Fire Safety Summit
    April 28, 2009
    6:30-8:00 pm
    Mobile Mapping for First Responders Hands-On Workshop
    Embassy Suites Phoenix North
    Phoenix, Arizona

About Adapx

Adapx is changing the way mobile teams collect data and collaborate with Capturx™ software for digital pens. A broad range of industries and agencies use Capturx products as natural interfaces into Microsoft Office, GIS, and CAD systems through digital pens and voice. Teams can immediately collect and access data in native file formats and systems without the delay and cost of transcribing paper or deploying mobile computers. Adapx has strategic partnerships with Microsoft, Autodesk, ESRI, Lockheed Martin, In-Q-Tel, and works with standard digital pen technology from Anoto. Adapx has been named a Cool Vendor in Emerging Technologies by Gartner and ESRI New Partner of the Year. For more information, please visit www.adapx.com.

Adapx and Capturx, and their respective logos are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of Adapx Corporation. Other products and company names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective owners.

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