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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 19, 2002 Baca announces $1 million in funds for Inland Empire defense project
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today Representative Joe Baca (D-Rialto) announced that $1 million in federal funds have been dispersed to Titan Systems Corporation, based in Rancho Cucamonga. Baca secured the funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2002 in the defense appropriations bill, which passed the House of Representatives last year. The funds will help Titan Corp. develop and test its Mobile Integrated Diagnostic and Data Analysis System (MIDDAS), a futuristic battlefield medical triage apparatus. The system allows battlefield medical personal to monitor the status of up to 250 field patients at once, acquiring data from specially designed gloves and electronic dog tags worn by the patients. It combines critical monitoring and biofeedback technology with wireless communications and visual presentation technology to provide fast, mobile triage to battlefields, accident scenes, and natural disaster sites. "It is heartening to see Inland Empire businesses like Titan receive the support they need from the Federal Government to continue working at the cutting edge of medical technology," Baca said. "This project is important to our national security. It also enables the military to keep our men and women in uniform safe and cared for as they valiantly defend our nation." The Naval Health Research Center, which funds the project, places increasing emphasis on better battlefield trauma management. Troops are deployed further and further inland from sea-based platforms, requiring smaller and more mobile medical support equipment. Triage, stabilization, and diagnostic capabilities are crucial to patients' survival. Technology that can assist in patient assessment and continuous monitoring will help military medical teams save lives in the field. Baca has supported the MIDDAS project since 1997, when Titan Corp.'s Advanced Concepts Group began working on MIDDAS in Rancho Cucamonga. The Group has increased in size by over 300 percent over the last year, making it a vital part of the Inland Empire economy. The next step for the MIDDAS project will be an extensive, rigorous field trial program. "We will continue to support Titan and other Inland Empire businesses working to bring jobs, growth, and success to the area," Baca said. "Our economy depends on it." # # # |
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