Charlottesville Fire Department Sends Equipment and Personnel to Hurricane Ravaged Gulf Coast; Interoperability Unit to Assist with Communications

Business Wire, Sept 2, 2005

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Due to the extensive destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, the Charlottesville Fire Department is deploying its communications interoperability unit to either Louisiana or Mississippi to assist with communications.

Bill Purcell, who serves as the Charlottesville Fire Department's Special Operations Battalion Chief, will be making the trip to provide communications support. His deployment is estimated to be a minimum of 14 days in addition to travel time. During such emergencies, most if not all expenses are reimbursed by FEMA.

The unit has the following characteristics:

Incident Commander's Radio Interface (ICRI) - a 5 port unit that enables different radio systems to communicate with one another as well as providing links to any below grade or underground situations.

Edge Access satellite communications allows for the establishment of a satellite link that establishes a wireless network, internet access and satellite telephone communications.

Additionally, Communications-Applied Technology has provided additional ICRI units and communications equipment that can be deployed in other areas if needed.

The equipment may be used for emergency service support or it may simply serve as a means for people to communicate with loved ones. "We'll do whatever we need to do to help the citizens of these communities," said Charlottesville Fire Chief Charles Werner.

Presently the exact location for assignment has not been determined but is being coordinated through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management between those two states.

The unit being deployed was purchased through a FEMA Interoperability grant so it seemed fitting to provide it for assistance to the grief stricken area. One of their biggest problems has been communications getting in and out of the affected areas.