When fiber and cellular telecommunications networks are impacted or rendered completely unavailable by a natural or manmade disaster, establishing secure connectivity is a crucial first step in the overall response effort.

Emergency responders, government officials, and aid organizations are among the many groups that typically descend on a disaster site to begin providing support. As the first to arrive on the scene, they all require the presence of reliable connectivity as soon as possible to begin coordinating efforts and delivering relief. Relying exclusively on the locally available terrestrial network is not an option.

In disaster scenarios, satellite communications offer the resilience, and ubiquitous connectivity needed to accelerate the recovery process and ensure that response teams on the ground can do their jobs effectively and efficiently.

These are three of the most common ways high-throughput satellite networks, like FlexMove, can support all those involved in disaster recovery operations:

On-the-Ground
Coordination

In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, any first responder arriving on the scene must have immediate access to robust connectivity to swiftly begin coordinating efforts as soon as possible. Connectivity enables firefighters, police officers, emergency medical personnel, non-profit organizations, and government workers to share information, allocate resources, and fluidly respond to changing events on the ground. When cellular is unavailable, satellite-powered connectivity can provide all emergency response providers the communications capabilities needed to confront the crisis at hand.

Disaster Scenarious

Disasters can cause panic, fear, and instability among the affected population. Random violence and looting can in the absence of authority, exacerbating an already difficult situation and making the recovery process even more challenging. Restoring order is critical. When cellular networks fail, satellite network solutions provide law enforcement officers with an alternative communications capability to re-establish and maintain public safety, enforce laws, and respond as quickly as possible to crimes in progress, accidents, and disturbances.

Restoration and
Recovery

No matter if a disaster strikes a small town, major city, or wider-spread geographic region, restoring the basic infrastructure as quickly as possible ranks among the highest priorities. The work is hard, and often must be done under dangerous conditions.

Utility workers play a critical role in:

• Repairing towers, pipelines, cables, and other damaged ground equipment.
• Restoring essential services such as electricity, water, and gas.

In the absence of terrestrial networks, an HTS satellite communications solution like FlexMove can:

• Enable workers to organize efficiently.
• Quickly procure needed supplies.
• Coordinate with one another to initiate and complete repair work quickly and safely.

Public Health Response

When a disaster causes injuries and imperils the health and safety of a community, paramedics are charged with providing aid to those in need, transporting patients to hospitals, and coordinating with treatment centers.


High-speed connectivity


In these scenarios, high-speed connectivity can enable highly trained medical professionals to provide advanced life support, administer medications, conduct remote telemedicine, and stabilize patients whose conditions may be critical. In cases where the health of the public may be at risk, satellite enables health professionals to coordinate responses, manage resources, and broadcast critical information in the absence of social media platforms and other information-sharing sources.

Reliable communication systems are a lifeline for first responders. Intelsat FlexMove ensures ongoing and effective coordination, informed decision-making, and public safety when traditional cellular networks falter. With ongoing investments in a next-generation, software-defined network, Intelsat FlexMove can confidently support first and emergency responder bandwidth demands as they evolve.