BETHESDA, Md. — Iridium Satellite announces its first responder customer base is today better situated to access Congressional funding for pre-positioning emergency equipment. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) have introduced Senate Bill S. 2686 - the “Communications, Consumer’s Choice and Broadband Deployment Act of 2006.” In particular, the “Strategic Technology Reserves Initiative” section of S. 2686 calls for the pre-positioning or securing of “communications equipment in advance for immediate deployment in an emergency or major disaster.” Timing is optimal for this legislation since the U.S. hurricane season kicks off June 1.
Multiple third party reports have surfaced in the communications industry confirming that many states that could be affected by hurricanes this season are still far from being prepared from a communications perspective. First responder organizations have been working diligently to pre-position mobile satellite communications equipment so they are prepared for this year’s hurricane season. However, they lack the financial resources to put their communications programs in place before June 1.
“Approving S. 2686 will deliver a strong message that comprehensive telecommunications reform is the only way to put the necessary tools in the hands of our first responders and to protect our citizens,” said Greg Ewert, executive vice president, Iridium Satellite. “We commend Chairman Stevens and Co-Chairman Inouye on their leadership on this issue.”
Iridium supports keeping the crucial satellite communications language in S. 2686 intact. The company also urges House Commerce Chairman Joe Barton(R-TX) to include such provisions in an expected conference committee that will merge respective pieces of telecom legislation.
Iridium Satellite offers a backup emergency satellite communications package that first responder organizations can easily use in the event of an emergency. The Iridium package includes both voice and data communications products and services. Going into the 2006 hurricane season, many first responders are even looking beyond traditional voice services via satellite phones, and are concentrating on asset tracking and redirection of equipment, supplies, vehicles and personnel when disaster strikes. Iridium also is interoperable with all other emergency communications systems, including UHF and VHF radios, as well as others.
“First responders using Iridium tell us time and again that we’re often the only line of communications they have, particularly during and right after disasters strike,” Ewert said. “When communications infrastructure goes down, they need to get to the disaster scene and connect back to headquarters to coordinate their rescue and relief mission. In that scenario, it’s prudent for first responders to already have equipment, to be familiar with it, to be trained on it, and to make sure it is charged and ready for use. This legislation supports their efforts to do so.”
Due to the nature of the Iridium service, it often is a first responder tool of choice. The Iridium service is global, mobile, easy to set up, independent of land-based infrastructure, usable in- and out-of-doors, and interoperable with all other first responder communications tools. It usually takes several days for first responders to set up more permanent, fixed communications services in a disaster scene. First responders use Iridium to keep in touch and coordinate rescue missions as they unfold.
“Iridium applauds the nation’s leaders who recognize our first responder pool must be prepared for the next set of disasters, be they hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes or man-made disasters,” Ewert said. “Pre-positioning and securing equipment is a sensible course of action. Now that the funding may be more easily accessible, our first responders can be more prepared, in communication with each other, and more in control of critical relief efforts.”
About Iridium Satellite
Iridium Satellite LLC ( www.iridium.com) is the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions). Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. The Iridium constellation consists of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites and has multiple in-orbit spares. The constellation operates as a fully meshed network and is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world. The Iridium service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation and utilities. Iridium provides service to the U.S. DoD. The company also designs, builds and sells its services, products and solutions through a worldwide network of more than 100 partners.
BETHESDA, Md. — Iridium Satellite announces its first responder customer base is today better situated to access Congressional funding for pre-positioning emergency equipment. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) have introduced Senate Bill S. 2686 - the “Communications, Consumer’s Choice and Broadband Deployment Act of 2006.” In particular, the “Strategic Technology Reserves Initiative” section of S. 2686 calls for the pre-positioning or securing of “communications equipment in advance for immediate deployment in an emergency or major disaster.” Timing is optimal for this legislation since the U.S. hurricane season kicks off June 1.
Multiple third party reports have surfaced in the communications industry confirming that many states that could be affected by hurricanes this season are still far from being prepared from a communications perspective. First responder organizations have been working diligently to pre-position mobile satellite communications equipment so they are prepared for this year’s hurricane season. However, they lack the financial resources to put their communications programs in place before June 1.
“Approving S. 2686 will deliver a strong message that comprehensive telecommunications reform is the only way to put the necessary tools in the hands of our first responders and to protect our citizens,” said Greg Ewert, executive vice president, Iridium Satellite. “We commend Chairman Stevens and Co-Chairman Inouye on their leadership on this issue.”
Iridium supports keeping the crucial satellite communications language in S. 2686 intact. The company also urges House Commerce Chairman Joe Barton(R-TX) to include such provisions in an expected conference committee that will merge respective pieces of telecom legislation.
Iridium Satellite offers a backup emergency satellite communications package that first responder organizations can easily use in the event of an emergency. The Iridium package includes both voice and data communications products and services. Going into the 2006 hurricane season, many first responders are even looking beyond traditional voice services via satellite phones, and are concentrating on asset tracking and redirection of equipment, supplies, vehicles and personnel when disaster strikes. Iridium also is interoperable with all other emergency communications systems, including UHF and VHF radios, as well as others.
“First responders using Iridium tell us time and again that we’re often the only line of communications they have, particularly during and right after disasters strike,” Ewert said. “When communications infrastructure goes down, they need to get to the disaster scene and connect back to headquarters to coordinate their rescue and relief mission. In that scenario, it’s prudent for first responders to already have equipment, to be familiar with it, to be trained on it, and to make sure it is charged and ready for use. This legislation supports their efforts to do so.”
Due to the nature of the Iridium service, it often is a first responder tool of choice. The Iridium service is global, mobile, easy to set up, independent of land-based infrastructure, usable in- and out-of-doors, and interoperable with all other first responder communications tools. It usually takes several days for first responders to set up more permanent, fixed communications services in a disaster scene. First responders use Iridium to keep in touch and coordinate rescue missions as they unfold.
“Iridium applauds the nation’s leaders who recognize our first responder pool must be prepared for the next set of disasters, be they hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes or man-made disasters,” Ewert said. “Pre-positioning and securing equipment is a sensible course of action. Now that the funding may be more easily accessible, our first responders can be more prepared, in communication with each other, and more in control of critical relief efforts.”
About Iridium Satellite
Iridium Satellite LLC ( www.iridium.com) is the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions). Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. The Iridium constellation consists of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites and has multiple in-orbit spares. The constellation operates as a fully meshed network and is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world. The Iridium service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation and utilities. Iridium provides service to the U.S. DoD. The company also designs, builds and sells its services, products and solutions through a worldwide network of more than 100 partners.