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The Latest Communication Technology for Improved Emergency Response

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The Latest Communication Technology for Improved Emergency Response

In times of crisis, reliable communication is crucial. When natural disasters or other large-scale emergencies strike, emergency responders and resources can quickly become overwhelmed, and basic terrestrial communication and cellular infrastructure can be disrupted. In these critical situations, having clear and uninterrupted lines of communication is essential for emergency responders and other government agencies to provide a coordinated response. 

Upgrading the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management

The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (DEM) plays a critical role in the City’s preparedness and response to various emergencies, ranging from daily incidents to catastrophic events. It serves as an indispensable liaison between the public and first responders, providing coordination and leadership to City departments, stakeholders, residents, and visitors. The DEM was instrumental in guiding San Francisco during the COVID-19 pandemic, while also proactively preparing for future crises and disasters. 

Remote Satellite Systems has a long-standing relationship with SFDEM, having first helped them build-out upgrade their communications infrastructure 12 years ago. At that time, the equipment we provided was state-of-the-art, but now, with the 911 center being upgraded, it’s time to update the communications technology as well—with a focus on interoperability and redundancy. 

Interoperability ensures that different agencies and departments have the ability to work together seamlessly using the same communication protocols. This is particularly essential when time is of the essence and every second counts. The MSAT G2 fixed satellite radio, for example, provides interoperability with other emergency response and public safety agencies over satellite mutual aid radio talk groups (SMART)—perfect for broadcast (one-to-many) over satellite communications. Redundancy is also crucial, as it ensures there are backup systems in place in case the primary system fails or becomes overloaded. 

Prepare Your Agency for Any Emergency

Remote Satellite Systems offers a range of emergency communication solutions for both urban and rural emergency responders. As a provider of high-level enterprise blended-communication solutions, our team dynamically monitors and manages clients’ networks and critical communications in times of disasters or emergencies, while also offering full support and training. Additionally, every system we design and install is completely customizable and scalable to meet your specific needs.

Contact Remote Satellite Systems to learn more about how we can help establish or upgrade your emergency communication systems to ensure your agency is prepared for any situation. 

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Oakland International Airport

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Oakland International Airport

The Situation

The Oakland International Airport is the 5th busiest airport in California and the second busiest in the Bay Area. In 2021 alone, it served over 8 million passengers, all of whom depend on its technology and staff to keep the airport running safely and reliably. 

The Challenge

Like all airports, communication and coordination between staff members are crucial—especially during a disaster, security concern, or other emergencies. The size of the Oakland Airport is vast, making communication technology a necessity. In addition, the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and security team have different objectives—yet both divisions needed access to redundant communications in the case of an emergency. 

The Solution

To address the needs of both the EOC and security, Remote Satellite Systems engineered, designed, and implemented not one, but two, backup communications systems that would act as a fail-over. Located at opposite ends of the airport, each of these systems has a specific purpose. The northern location was to be used by the emergency operation center (EOC) for strategic and operational decisions, while the south site would be used by security for general enforcement and ensuring passengers and cargo didn’t present a risk to others. 

Although these two sites used much of the same in-building infrastructure, including land-based equipment and satellite communications (such as the C-Com FMA 120 VSAT), the objectives of each site needed to be taken into account during the design. For example, the EOC’s primary responsibility is to monitor and coordinate all aspects of an incident or disaster; likewise, security needed the ability to monitor video cameras and coordinate with other members of the security team if a potential threat was identified. 

Both sites served a critical role, but the staff could only do their jobs if they had consistent, ongoing access to reliable communication. The MSAT G2 fixed satellite radio offered an ideal solution, as it provides interoperability with other emergency response and public safety agencies over satellite mutual aid radio talk groups (SMART)—perfect for broadcast (one-to-many) over satellite communications. 

As a provider of high-level enterprise communications solutions, Remote Satellite Systems dynamically monitors and manages our clients’ networks and critical communications in times of disasters or emergencies while also offering full support and training. In addition, every system Remote Satellite Systems designs and installs is completely customizable and scalable to your needs—whether it’s expanding the number of workstations that can access a particular set of equipment or designing two sets of redundant backup systems on either side of a large site. 

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The San Francisco Ambulance Deployment Facility (Station 49) 

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San Francisco Ambulance Deployment Facility Station 49

The Situation 

Each year, the San Francisco Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services Division responds to approximately 90,000 emergency calls, ranging from behavioral health emergencies to large multi-vehicular accidents.

The Challenge

The Emergency Medical Services was formally headquartered in the San Francisco Fire Department’s logistics warehouse; the division needed a new, seismically-safe headquarters with state-of-the-art technology that allows them to better prepare their ambulances for deployment when responding to emergency calls. 

Additionally, they needed backup communication systems to act as a fail-over in the event of a natural disaster or other emergencies that could affect terrestrial communication. The most cost-effective and efficient solution for these challenges was to integrate this critical technology into the facility as it was being built, however, many designers and architects aren’t familiar with how best to implement it. 

The Solution

Serving as the home of the Fire Department’s Medical Services Division and the city’s fleet of ambulances, Station 49 needed to ensure first responders were well-equipped to quickly deploy paramedics and EMTs during disasters or urgent emergency calls. 

As the facility was being built from the ground up, Remote Satellite Systems worked closely with the designers, engineers, and building team throughout each stage of the project to ensure all communications infrastructure was integrated as efficiently as possible. Remote Satellite Systems oversaw and helped implement the technology needed to provide fast, effective emergency response, including land-based and satellite equipment. 

Integrating technology infrastructure into a building after construction has been completed is more difficult, costly, and time-consuming than if it had initially been accounted for during the funding and design stages. Implementing it into the plan early on allows designers and architects to better determine the design and layout of a building while allowing them to incorporate features that optimize communication technology, such as access points, network connections, and wiring. 

In addition, it allows for in-building infrastructure for the new world we live in, safeguarding against challenges like fires, floods, and other natural disasters—as well as ensuring the ability to adapt to new and emerging technologies. 

Remote Satellite Systems specializes in providing customized scalable emergency communication systems to meet agencies’ unique needs, from consulting during the earliest stages of project funding and construction to retrofitting existing facilities. Our consulting services include planning and implementation based on a site survey, full reporting on antenna placement and position, and a review of overall building cabling infrastructure for telephone and data equipment. Remote Satellite Systems also provides full support and training on all the equipment we install and manage. 

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GULF OIL SPILL MAPPING EFFORTS

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Oil Spill Mapping

Remote Satellite Systems® has teamed up with ESRI, a major player in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) mapping and Inmarsat to bring real time GIS mapping to those areas where there is no other alternative communication networks. This combined effort has resulted in the ability to map the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and to document and inventory the real time effects of the environmental and economicl crisis.

The Inmarsat BGAN satellite communications systems paired with ESRI’s Geographic Information Systems, assists the clean up efforts by providing up-to-date images and GIS data of the oil spill in those remote areas where cellular and other wireless networks do not have reliable coverage. This just might be the most important effort in the long term cleanup efforts.

With clear and accurate data , images and precise GPS positioning data we are able to document and assist in the long term effects and direct resources to where they will be needed for a concise planned effort.

INMARSAT BGAN TO BRING REAL-TIME GIS DATA TO REMOTE WILDFIRE TEAMS

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Remote Satellite Systems joins Inmarsat and the Immersive Visualization Center (SDSU “Viz Lab”) at San Diego State University’s Homeland Security Program in a new partnership to develop and test solutions to extend the availability of time-critical Geographic Information System (GIS) data to remote fire teams fighting wildfires

For more information on BGAN communications for emergency response, download 

Emergency Response BGAN First Responder Communications.

A LEADER IN MARITIME COMMUNICATIONS

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Ocean Watch

Remote Satellite Systems® is proud to be helping the Around the Americas program with their satellite communication needs. Ocean Watch is using an Iridium Open Port system supported by Remote Satellite Systems for their 13 month 24,000 mile journey around the Americas.

Around the Americas is a clockwise circumnavigation of the North and South American continents as though they were one gigantic island. In May 2009, a 64 foot sailboat named “Ocean Watch” departed Seattle and is scheduled to visit 31 ports in 12 countries over the course of its 13 month voyage. On board are four crew members and one Science Center educator. Ocean and atmospheric scientists are joining the crew for certain legs of the expedition to conduct research. The goal of the Around the Americas project is to use this unusual adventure to engage and educate citizens in North and South America about ocean health issues using science-driven education materials and activities

Around the Americas is an ocean environment project organized by Pacific Science Center and Sailors for the Sea, in collaboration with the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory, the Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean, MIT Sea Grant College Program, and NASA.

You can learn more about the voyage of Ocean Watch at https://oceantoday.noaa.gov/aroundtheamericas/.

ACHIEVING FINAL REDUNDANCY IN AN INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

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BAY AREA CASE STUDY FEATURES REMOTE SATELLITE SYSTEMS

“Remote Satellite Systems International (RSSI), a value added reseller for satellite communications technologies, realized the critical need for a redundant communications system that would allow its customers — public safety and government agencies throughout the San Francisco area — to connect with each other, even when terrestrial and cellular networks are damaged or congested…”

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SATRAD’s Matrix: Blended Services for Seamless Communication

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Traditional terrestrial radio used to be the standard in communication. With radio, analog voice is broadcast over the radio waves, and anyone with an antenna can tune in; one broadcast to many listeners. With advancements in technology, there are now more ways to communicate than ever before. However, until more recently, interconnectivity between traditional terrestrial radio and satellite networks hasn’t been possible. To solve this, SATRAD developed a device that blends these two technologies for greater communication capability.

Back-Up Communications Where Ever You Need Them

SATRAD’s Matrix devices are an ideal bridge between Iridium push-to-talk (PTT) and MSAT satellite networks and traditional Land Mobile Radios (LMR), making them an excellent option for public safety, law enforcement, and security. Matrix takes traditional dispatch radio communication and allows these broadcasts to be used on the MSAT or Iridium network—giving you the ability to communicate from anywhere on the globe.

The SATRAD Matrix iSeries (Iridium) and mSeries (MSAT) are reliable, compact, and easily integrated with dispatch or traditional terrestrial radio for consistent coverage, regardless of weather conditions, natural disasters, or other events that can normally disrupt terrestrial infrastructure. If the radio network becomes inoperable or the mobile radio isn’t within range of the repeater tower, radio traffic is automatically routed to the satellite network. Once radio connectivity is restored, traffic is re-routed back to the terrestrial radio network. The Matrix monitors the terrestrial connection in a configurable time interval to ensure stability and prevent unnecessary switching between networks.

Matrix mSeries and iSeries Features

The Matrix mSeries is designed to function on the older, more traditional MSAT PTT network. Beyond compatibility with satellite and terrestrial radio networks, it can also be integrated with NI-Track for asset management and GPS tracking. Intended for in-vehicle integration, the small size of the mSeries makes it extremely portable and quick to deploy—perfect for emergency responders’ go-kits. Paired with the MSAT G2 and G2 flyaway kit, the Matrix mSeries provides seamless broadcasts and circuit-switched voice and data. In addition to on-the-go connectivity, the mSeries can also be used inside buildings and other infrastructure.

Like the mSeries, the iSeries offers reliable communication and is easily integrated with dispatch and other terrestrial radio networks. A particularly cost-effective solution for applications in large geographic areas with a limited number of users, the iSeries also features SmartMessageSM technology to ensure messages can be delivered even when there’s a temporary disruption in connectivity. The Iridium PTT network supports two PTT terminals, the IC-SAT100 Satellite PTT and the 9575 ExtremePTT—the first time PTT capability has been available in such a small handheld device.

Both SATRAD Matrix devices offer a compact, easy-to-use PTT system that allows users to move freely and increase their communication capability through blended services that cover vast areas you couldn’t get with normal radio communications.

Stay Connected with Remote Satellite Systems

Whether lives are at risk or you’re stationed in a remote location, reliable communication is essential. With Matrix’s ability to quickly shift between available radio and satellite networks, there’s no risk of being cut off from receiving critical transmissions from your team. To learn more about SATRAD’s Matrix, contact Remote Satellite Systems today at 1-888- 989-8199 or send us a message through our online form.

FirstNet Fusion: Resilient Connectivity for Critical Communications

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In the face of a natural disaster or other public health emergencies, first responders need the ability to stay connected at all times. However, it’s difficult to know where you’ll have cellular service and whether it will be reliable, especially in situations that can effectively knock out terrestrial equipment. Essentially, relying on a single network leaves you vulnerable to missing mission-critical communications.

What if you could combine the capability of multiple networks into a single service?

Aggregate Multiple Networks for Uninterrupted Connectivity

Fusion is a hybrid network with FirstNet LTE capability that allows you to aggregate multiple wireless broadband networks into a single streamlined service that offers reliable, uninterrupted connectivity. In the event that any of the cellular networks fail, you have complete redundancy. This communication solution aggregates up to 6 different LTE cellular channels and a satellite interface at speeds that allow you to do everything from making a call to transferring high-quality video. With Fusion, you not only have access to robust communication capability but also to a backup if one (or all) of the cellular networks fail.

Fusion’s smart technology continuously monitors network connectivity for fluctuations; if any one of the cellular connections isn’t possible or compromised, it will connect to one of the redundant networks. If unable to connect to any of the cellular LTE networks, Fusion will fall back to the satellite network to complete the connection. This eliminates the need to monitor and switch carriers manually, which can be a frustrating process that eats away at valuable time. And in an emergency, every second that’s not wasted on monitoring or switching over equipment can be better used in relief efforts.

Fusion includes a web-based graphic interface that displays all available networks, including data totals being passed over each network for improved situational awareness and informed decision-making. It also features multiple fallback options and one-touch satellite configurations to allow you to maintain the highest quality speed for data, video, and voice applications. With its FirstNet Ready equipment, VPN support, AES-256 encryption, and dynamic routing of packets over multiple connections, your public safety agency can have access to fast, secure, and prioritized network access.

Leverage the Power of Fusion

There’s not a single mobile network that can provide 100% coverage. Fusion allows you to leverage the power of six networks—and satellite capability—for faster speeds, the lower latency of LTE (when available), and the reliability of VSAT to ensure you always have access to the best connection possible. In addition, your team won’t need to worry about the added stress of connectivity issues.

For more information about the FirstNet Fusion network, contact Remote Satellite Systems at (888) 989-8199 or send us a message through our online form.

The Kymeta u8: Revolutionizing VSAT Communications

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Since entering the industry in 2012, Kymeta has been at the forefront of SATCOM technology. In 2017, Kymeta released its first-generation terminal, the u7, which leveraged groundbreaking technology and meta materials. This laid the groundwork for the company’s next-gen KU Band satellite terminal: the Kymeta u8.

What Makes the Kymeta u8 Unique?

The u8 is the first electronically-scanning, flat-panel satellite terminal for fixed and mobile platforms.

While other VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) antennas have many moving mechanical parts to keep them pointed (specifically 3- Axis stabilized maritime antenna systems) , the u8 has none—which allows it to be extremely low-profile. Traditional VSAT antennas must also be stationary when pointing; the Kymeta u8’s cutting-edge software-defined, electronic beam steering technology eliminates the issues surrounding mechanically based antennas to allow for true on-the-go communication.

In addition, the u8 can be embedded in the roof of a vehicle and painted to match, if you’d like the equipment to be inconspicuous. Bulkier terminals can be damaged by low tunnels or other infrastructure, but the u8’s low profile means it has plenty of clearance, regardless of what you encounter or where you need to go. These features make the u8 an ideal choice for law enforcement, public safety, military, maritime, transportation, and commercial use.

Other features of the u8 include:

  • Multi-WAN satellite and cellular configuration
  • Interoperability with low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary (GEO) satellite constellations
  • Supports multi-waveform openamip-compatible modems and integration into many unique system configurations
  • Plug-and-play setup—just add power
  • Aerodynamic casing
  • Access to Terminal metrics and SD-WAN, edge content, and connectivity management tools available via a cloud-based portal
  • A multi-function hardened case tested to MIL-STD-810H transportations standards

Stay Connected On-the-Go with Remote Satellite Systems

If your company or agency has been searching for a complete connectivity solution for on-the-go communications, the Kymeta u8 provides everything you need in a single integrated platform. With over 18 years in the industry, Remote Satellite Solutions has helped countless clients stay connected with reliable, high-quality SATCOM equipment for a wide range of applications. To find the best equipment for your needs and budget, contact us today at 1-888-989-8199.

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