December 11, 2002

Marrick Design & Development Services, Inc., of Stratford, NJ, announced today that it has executed a dealer agreement with FloorView, creators of the recently patented software system created in direct response to the Columbine High School tragedy.

Designed for use by local law enforcement and other emergency responders, those on the scene in Littleton, Colorado had direct input to the creator, Richard Neiman of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. "This system gives rescuers the advantage they didn't have at Columbine," remarked Richard Webber, 25 year Stratford resident and President of Marrick Design. "I'm really excited about how simple and inexpensive, yet elegant this solution is to the information problem that first responders must deal with every day."

The unique combination of software systems and delivery of high resolution images, floor plans, and other strategic data over police radio systems, direct to the laptop computer in the squad car won FloorView a fast-track review and a U.S. Patent because of its strategic contribution to Homeland Security.

One of the most critical lessons of the Columbine High School tragedy was the immediate need for current, accurate floorplans of the facility. Dave Sanders, the business and computer science teacher that bled to death in the hall outside of his classroom actually survived for nearly 3 hours while frantic rescuers searched in vain for current drawings of the recently expanded school.
The cops had no idea where to go, and were actually pleading with students as they ran out of the school to safety: "Somebody take us in to Sanders."

Shortly after the incident, Neiman was visiting with friends in Littleton and took the opportunity to go out to the school and survey the scene. He talked with officers who had been there, and later with Sheriff John Stone.

"The school had recently been expanded and current floor plans weren't available on site," said software creator Neiman. "It took over 90 minutes to get plans, and when they arrived, they didn't show the location where Sanders was down."

Relating the story of how he got the original idea to Marrick Design's Richard Webber in FloorView's Ft. Lauderdale offices earlier this month, Rich summarized his conversation with Sheriff Stone:

For a self-guided tour, go to www.floorview.com. To see several FloorView installation sites, go to www.floorview.com/hosting. For more info: Marrick Services, LLC Telephone: 856.783.2714, 900am-500pm ET.

More Info:
About Marrick Services, LLC
About Autodesk's Homeland Security Initiative

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