In partnership with the Rochester Fire Department and Triveni Digital, WXXI (Rochester, NY) is launching the Emergency Training and Information Network (ETIN) for local emergency response crews. This project links local police and fire departments, hospitals and other agencies with a continuous daily stream of safety and training content, as well as special emergency functions, through a single DataReceiver card. Data is captured and stored at each location, then viewed on LCD screens and managed by remote control. ETIN is operable in three modes - automatic, on-demand, and emergency - depending on the location’s needs. Currently the project is being tested at approximately 20 sites, but it will be expanded to another 80 locations across a 75-mile radius, and neighboring counties have already begun to express interest. Read more at TV Technology.com.

WXXI’s project is now one of many local projects across the country that focuses on the use of the broadcasting infrastructure to provide public safety information and instructions. With continued cooperation of local agencies and local stations, public television has already set the precedent for future emergency alert systems throughout the nation. Read more about public television and homeland security.