American Security Today September Digital Magazine September 2016 | Page 76

Volume 7

McMurdo Wins USCG Award for Emerg
Distress Beacons

When activated, McMurdo’s FastFind 220 transmits a distress signal that helps search and rescue authorities respond
rapidly. (Photo by McMurdo Group)

McMurdo, the most trusted name in emergency
readiness and response has been awarded a US$3
million contract with the United States Coast Guard
(USCG).
McMurdo will supply up to 16,000 FastFind® 220
personal locator beacons (PLBs) over the next
five years to enhance crew safety in the event of
emergencies. The award is an indefinite delivery,
indefinite quantity contract with a base year and
four one-year options.
“For 226 years, the U.S. Coast Guard has protected America’s waterways, defended its borders and
saved those in peril,” said Mark Cianciolo, general
manager of McMurdo’s aerospace, defense and
government programs.

“This award is a major validation of the products
and technologies that fortify McMurdo’s position as

September 2016 Edition
the global leader in emergency readiness and response. We are honored to provide a solution that
enhances the safety of crew members who risk
their lives daily.”
With a compact, handheld design, the FastFind
220 is used to notify emergency personnel during a
land, air or water emergency in remote or high-risk
environments using the 406MHz frequency.

(This video shows how simple it is to activate the Fast Find
220 PLB should you be in a life threatening situation. Courtesy of McMurdo and YouTube)

Once activated, the PLB transmits a distress signal
containing unique beacon identification information
and location data via the international search and
rescue satellite system operated by Cospas-Sarsat.
The signal is then quickly passed to regional search
and rescue authorities who can rapidly respond to
the emergency.

McMurdo is the only provider of an end-to-end
search and rescue ecosystem that includes distress beacons, satellite connectivity, mission control and rescue coordination center systems, and
rescue response communications products.
Nearly 25 percent of the world’s emergency dis76