With hurricane season around the corner, Iridium offers first-response communication system

Hurricane Katrina knocked off most of the communication systems along the Gulf Coast, but communication technology came through with flying colors: satellite communication. In fact, the two leading U.S. satellite communication gear makers, Iridium and Globalstar, showed their civic spirit by shipping thousands of handsets to rescue and emergency teams in the Gulf. Now, Bethesda, Maryland-based Iridium Satellite says it has a readily deployable emergency communications package available to first responders. The timing of the company’s announcement is exquisite, as the country gets ready for the 2006 hurricane season, which begins 1 June.

The Iridium first response package allows first responders to tap Iridium’s voice and data communications services for asset tracking and for the redirection of important equipment, supplies, vehicles, and personnel, when disaster strikes. Several states — Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, and Texas — already use Iridium emergency gear and services. In addition to its proven ability to function when other communication technologies fail, the Iridium package has one additional advantage which will be welcomed by emergency agencies: Unlike most other systems currently in use, Iridium is interoperable with all other emergency communications systems, including UHF and VHF radios.