How Globalstar Satellite Phones are Vital in an Emergency
Here's what a few Globalstar Customers had to say about Globalstar's Emergency Phones:
Howard Schneider, Support Services Supervisor, Hazardous Materials Response Unit of New York City's Department of Environmental Protection
"When both our cellular service and hardwire switchboards went down, our Globalstar phones became our last line of defense, and allowed our offices in both Manhattan and Queens to maintain active communications."
John Flanagan, Fire Operations Specialist, Protection Branch of the British Columbia Ministry of Forests
"When it comes to working in the outdoors, you simply can't put employees in a dangerous area without a reliable mode of communication," says Mr. Flanagan. "Our existing VHF radio system is reliable, however, there are areas where there is no coverage. Globalstar handsets have filled in the 'blind spots' and eliminated the cost of building new VHF repeater towers, and the satellite service is more user friendly and reliable."
Dan Delane, Chairman, Accident Investigations Committee, FedEx Pilot's Association
"As a pilot for FedEx and a union crash investigator, I am all over the world and need to be in constant communication. I use the Globalstar satellite phone at crash sites and the phone allows me to talk, no matter where I am, with no delay and the sound couldn't be clearer. But I think the most important aspect of this phone is that it has saved valuable time in critical situations. For example, when a plane in Seattle was found to have smoke in the cockpit, the pilots were able to call me in Paris and I was able to immediately dispatch help. We were in constant and clear communication until the dangerous situation was resolved. Other forms of communication depend on uncontrolled variables. Radio is weather dependent and cell phones depend on near-by antennas, but Globalstar never fails. And the cost is a drop in the bucket compared to the potential costs of injury or lost lives that threaten people with no means of communication."
Richard Kelley, Captain, Altadena Mountain Rescue Team
"I would like to share just one of the numerous times that our satellite telephone provided by Globalstar has played a part in our search and rescue operations. The evening of February 10th 2001, in the middle of a winter storm, the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team received a call from a worried family stating that there son had not returned from a mountain bike ride in the Angeles National Forest. We were especially concerned because this man was missing in the middle of a snowy winter storm. Luckily we found the victim many hours later, following his track into a narrow, overgrown canyon. Once there our radios would not function properly, a recurring problem in this traitorous terrain. Fortunately, with the Globalstar Satellite phone we were able to report that we had found the missing mountain biker and allow him to telephone his family, calming their fears. Thanks Globalstar!"
Greg Anderson, Captain, San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team
"On Sunday, June 18, 2000, the Team was activated to rescue 2 individuals stuck on the side of a cliff (aka Cliffhangers) in the Off Road Vehicle area of San Gabriel Canyon. Upon arriving at scene, it was determined that we not only had the original 2 victims, both male juveniles, but another 4 adults that got stuck attempting to rescue the 2 boys. The satellite phone was used to call for additional resources. Radio communications in this area are not clear so it was great having clear, crisp communication provided by the satellite phone. We obtained the resources needed and, after 5 hours of difficult work, safely extracted all 6 victims."
Flooding in Brazil, During the flooding in the Northern of Brasil (Alagoas and Pernambuco), the largest one in 50 years in this region, Air Force, Police and Fire Departments used 16 Globlastar phones to rescue thousands of victims.
Approximately 150 thousand people had to leave their houses (100 in Alagoas and 50 in Pernambuco). A combined action allowed people involved in the rescue to be in touch and, therefore, provide clothes, food and medicine for those affected by the flood.
According to Air Force Major Paulo Wladimir Rodrigues, the person in charge for the whole operation, the phones were crucial for the connection between rescue teams. "Some cities became isolated due to the destruction of bridges and other constructions and the only way they received medicines and food was via Air Force choppers."
