SECAUCUS, N.J. AND BROOMFIELD, CO - Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, manufacturer of Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers, and ZOLL Data Systems®, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ZOLL Medical Corporation and manufacturer of software solutions to support the fire and emergency medical services, have joined forces to help fire departments across the country deploy a mobile inspection solution to save resources and prevent fires. With Fire Prevention Week taking place this week, the important role of accurate, updated inspections in creating safer environments is drawing more attention.

An October 2006 study administered by the U.S. Fire Administration underscores the need for more inspections around the country. Among its findings:
• An estimated 20.3 million people (or seven percent of U.S. residents at the time) live in communities where no one conducts fire-code inspections.
• Approximately 67 million Americans (23 percent) are protected by fire departments that do not provide plans review, which, for example, help determine whether there are hazardous materials at a location.
• Nearly 129 million Americans (44 percent) are protected by fire departments that do not provide routine testing of active systems, such as sprinklers.

There are many reasons for this disparity in fire prevention planning across the country, including budget, available personnel and training limitations. Many fire departments still rely on paper forms to complete fire inspections, which inevitably leads to errors and takes valuable time away from other important duties such as training and public education. Access to updated occupancy fire-code violations, pre-plans, and hazardous materials on-scene are just a few examples of critical data that will save lives. Recent technology advancements from Panasonic and ZOLL Data Systems simplify and expedite the process by enabling fire departments to complete electronic inspections in the field.

ZOLL Data Systems’ RescueNet® FireRMS Mobile is a software solution giving fire inspectors unprecedented access to key information and the ability to create and update inspection forms from anywhere, anytime. Using pen-tablets for ‘point and tap’ data entry, RescueNet FireRMS Mobile enables inspectors to perform inspections in the field and conduct a variety of other activities such as linking to CAD for dispatches and updates, accessing pre-plans and hazardous material information on-scene. This mobile application works in a connected or disconnected state so the data you capture is accessible in real-time.

Panasonic offers two fully-rugged Toughbook mobile computers that support RescueNet FireRMS Mobile for a complete fire inspection solution:
• The Toughbook 19 is a convertible tablet PC, with seven hours of battery life and daylight-readable touch screen. Constructed of magnesium alloy with a shock-mounted screen and hard drive, it is tested to withstand drops, shocks, vibration and extremes in temperature to ensure inspection data is protected. The 19 incorporates a “wireless-ready” design providing embedded access to next-generation data networks from all major wireless carriers, giving inspectors consistent access to information.
• At only 2.6 pounds, The Toughbook 08 is an ultra-portable thin client device used to collect and transmit inspection data to a wirelessly-enabled PC up to 300 feet away. Its 10.4-inch daylight-readable touch screen is also moisture-, dust-, drop, crush- and vibration resistant, with up to ten hours of battery life to support a full day of work.

“Fire Prevention Week offers a valuable reminder of how important the inspection process is in preventing disasters,” said Jan Ruderman, Senior Director, Government Sector for Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. “Our joint effort with ZOLL Data Systems has generated significant improvements for fire departments across the nation. We work very closely with customers in fire and emergency services agencies to determine what technologies will make their jobs easier and let them focus on what they do best.”

“Many fire departments are not aware of the recent advances in wireless mobile data and software to ease the burden of their day-to-day operations,” said David Brown, President of ZOLL Data Systems. “Teaming up with Panasonic has allowed ZOLL Data Systems to raise awareness of these new technologies and make a real impact on public safety through more frequent and effective fire inspections by our customers.”

About Panasonic Computer Solutions Company
Panasonic Computer Solutions Company empowers the mobile workforce. The company is a unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, which is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC). Panasonic has delivered reliable, durable mobile solutions through its Toughbook® line of notebook computers for fifteen years and has expanded the boundaries of wireless communications technology through a broad portfolio of products, ranging from fully rugged, industrial strength notebook computers and tablet PCs to business-rugged thin and light and ultraportable notebooks. A core manufacturer, Matsushita and its subsidiaries control the entire process of design, manufacture, quality assurance, service and support. As a result, Panasonic Toughbooks are known for having the lowest failure rates in the industry. Government, industrial, and commercial users—from Fortune 1,000 companies to small businesses—rely on solutions from Panasonic, wherever their work takes them.

All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic’s full line of notebook PCs for the mobile professional can be obtained by calling 800-662-3537 or at http://www.panasonic.com/toughbook.

About ZOLL Data Systems
ZOLL Data Systems, Inc. (ZDS), of Broomfield, Colorado develops, markets, and sells the RescueNet suite—computer-aided dispatch, billing, field data collection, crew scheduling, and mobile data software -- for the fire and emergency medical services (EMS) market. RescueNet is the only fully integrated information management system that allows fire and EMS organizations to manage critical information for maximum performance. ZDS is a wholly owned subsidiary of ZOLL Medical Corporation. For more information, visit www.zolldata.com.

About ZOLL Medical Corporation
ZOLL Medical Corporation is committed to developing technologies that help advance the practice of resuscitation. With products for pacing, defibrillation, circulation, ventilation, and fluid resuscitation, ZOLL provides a comprehensive set of technologies that help clinicians, EMS professionals, and lay rescuers resuscitate sudden cardiac arrest or trauma victims. ZOLL also designs and markets software that automates the documentation and management of both clinical and non-clinical information.

ZOLL markets and sells its products in more than 140 countries. The Company has direct operations, distributor networks, and business partners throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. For more information, visit www.zoll.com or call +1 (978) 421-9655.

Forward-looking statements
Certain statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking” statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, ZOLL’s ability to compete in the resuscitation business; acceptance of its recently launched products; changes in regulations affecting the healthcare industry; global economic conditions; and those other factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in ZOLL’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which was filed with the SEC on August 10, 2007.