Avtec, alumni continue to strengthen Clemson University’s emergency operations

Clemson University’s emergency management operations and training are more technologically advanced than just a year ago – and will continue improving – courtesy of three alumni and Lexington-based Avtec Inc., the leading independent provider of pure Internet Protocol (IP) dispatch console solutions.

Avtec, which recently supplied the Clemson Unified Command Post with dispatching software, products and services valued at approximately $428,000, has donated an additional $75,000 in cash to strengthen the academic, research and public service programming related to emergency management in the university’s Watt Family Innovation Center. The cash contribution will support a variety of multidisciplinary emergency management projects to be conducted in the Avtec Emergency Response Center.

“We are very appreciative of Avtec’s generous contribution to our operations center,” said Denny Lester, associate director of science and technology for the Watt Family Innovation Center. “The company’s contribution will be used to increase student and faculty involvement in cross-discipline academic research and homeland security – areas that align very well with national priorities as well as the university’s ClemsonForward strategic plan priorities.”

Avtec Chief Executive Officer Michael Branning (Clemson Class of ’86) and family members Donna Branning Thompson (’88) and Linda Branning Doherty (’92) were instrumental in making the donation to their alma mater.

“This gift is about ensuring the safety of the students and sports fans who visit the Clemson campus each year,” said Branning. “It also demonstrates our family’s appreciation for our alma mater.”

The software-based dispatching technology Avtec donated features the Scout Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) dispatch console, which has already proven critical to the management of police, fire and emergency medical responses during home football games and other large campus events.

According to university Emergency Manager Lynn Fisher, Clemson’s public safety communications immediately improved with the implementation of the Avtec system. “It gives us the flexibility to monitor multiple radio networks simultaneously and has already demonstrated its importance in the emergency exercises we’ve conducted.”

Avtec Inc. is the second Innovation Partner for the Watt Family Innovation Center. The cutting-edge, highly flexible facility in the center of campus was designed to be an innovative hub where students, faculty and industry partners collaborate, create, innovate and communicate using state-of-the-art technology and interactive learning systems.

Avtec Inc.

Avtec provides pure Internet Protocol (IP) dispatch console solutions for the transportation, public safety, utility, government, business and industrial markets. Since 1979, clients have chosen Avtec’s award-winning technology for their mission-critical dispatch centers. Today, there are thousands of Scout™ Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) consoles installed worldwide. Visit www.avtecinc.com to learn more.

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