(Alexandria, VA) - October 04, 2007 - The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area and the Homeland Security & Defense Business Council have helped make businesses in the nation's capital more disaster-ready.

The two organizations co-hosted a "Partners in Preparedness Symposium" on September 27 that was attended by some 400 members from local businesses in the National Capital Region. The symposium was interactive and designed to help participants prepare for risks from the routine to the extreme.

One of the preparedness exercises was co-facilitated by Previstar's Adam Montella, a former General Manager of Emergency Management for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (World Trade Center). They presented a realistic disaster scenario in which a semi truck hauling explosives rams into the New Carrolton Metro Station, exploding and shutting down the Beltway.

"When the attendees were asked if they learned something, the number of hands--and the quick speed at which they went up--was quite telling. It was definitely the kind of information these businesses need, and Adam was the critical piece of the puzzle who delivered the info," said Denise Daffron, Director of Corporate Relations and Strategic Events for the Red Cross.

Doug Morgan, Vice President of Marketing for Previstar, emceed the event.

Speakers included former Oklahoma Governor, the Honorable Frank Keating, President and CEO of American Council of Life Insurers; Greg Pellegrino, Chairman of the Homeland Security & Defense Business Council and Global Managing Director, Public Sector, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu; Darrell Darnell, Director of the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency; James C. Dinegar, President and CEO, Greater Washington Board of Trade; and Linda C. Mathes, CEO, American Red Cross of the National Capital Area.

"Being a company that is headquartered in the D.C. area, Previstar is proud to support such an important mission and is thrilled with the turnout and enthusiasm," said Previstar CEO, Keith Stringfellow.

About Previstar

Previstar provides emergency preparedness and response communities, the armed services, and homeland security industry a suite of highly customizable software capabilities for managing the incident lifecycle. These capabilities enhance situational awareness, strategic decision support, and enhanced tactical execution for planning, response, and recovery.

Previstar's suite of products originated from the Department of Energy's Oakridge National Laboratories and offers the only solution that equips all organizational roles, functions, and ICS roles with a mix of customizable tools for enhancing operational effectiveness and organizational alignment, both day-to-day and during live incidents.

DOD organizations, Emergency managers, Health organizations, and first responders have used Previstar to prepare for bioterrorism attacks, safeguard the Salt Lake City Olympics, connect state health agencies, and recover from the multiple 2004 Florida hurricanes and hurricane Katrina.

Previstar is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia and conducts research and development activities at its facility in Knoxville, Tennessee.

For more information about Previstar, please visit our website at www.previstar.com or contact: Joe Gordon, AVP Sales & Marketing Support, joe.gordon@previstar.com, 813-244-7774.