'The software, which allows for organisational charts and communication in emergency situations, was used in a major terror simulation exercise this month in Cape Cod' (stock photo)

A small Irish software firm has become central to anti-terror efforts by US authorities.

Dublin-based Decisions For Heroes, or D4H, has seen its software adopted globally by emergency teams reacting to accidents or tragedies.

The company's latest client is the US State of Massachusetts, where the National Guard has taken the Irish firm's technology to form part of its procedure in the event of a terror attack.

The software, which allows for organisational charts and communication in emergency situations, was used in a major terror simulation exercise this month in Cape Cod, with 700 US 'first responders' involved.

The company, founded by Howth-based coast guard volunteer Robin Blandford, has risen to provide thousands of response teams worldwide with similar emergency response software.

"We record over 15 million response hours per year now and are deployed in 16 countries. Our clients include industrial facilities, public safety teams and corporates," said Blandford. The company's other big contracts include deals with oil and gas companies and the US Department of Defence.

The software provides multi-media event logs, forms, GIS mapping, alerts, role assignments, organisation charts, and sets of planning tools for teams that need to co-ordinate in emergency situations.

"When the scale of this mock Massachusetts terrorist attack was determined, the incident command staff and support team at this exercise were faced with high volumes of information," said D4H executive Robert Charles.

"We provide up-to-date, structured and reliable information to both heighten their situational awareness and contribute towards their incident action plan."

D4H set up its headquarters in Howth's Baily lighthouse.

Other customers include the US state of Michigan, the Irish Coast Guard and the Danish Navy. The company is looking to expand into contracts with US police forces.

Sunday Indo Business