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Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, Earthquakes in Central Mexico, and Western U.S. Wildfires – the last few months have brought a tremendous amount of devastation and destruction to our side of the world. Harvey dropped over 52 inches of rain, causing catastrophic flooding and leaving more than 211,000 without power on the Texas Gulf Coast. Irma caused historic damage, including taking the lives of over 70 people. Hurricane Maria whipped through Puerto Rico, crippling all forms of infrastructure, leaving 3.4 million people without power and leaving the island struggling to recover. Back-to-back earthquakes hit Mexico, toppling buildings and leaving First Responders frantically searching for those missing. While Mother Nature’s wrath has us bracing for impact, it also has us researching new tools, increasing our efforts, preparing for response, and coming together to ensure rapid recovery.
It is extremely important for public safety agencies to be able to maintain communications before, during, and after a disaster or other emergency. When terrestrial communication systems are decimated, independent wireless communications networks that can supply immediate infrastructure within a disaster zone are crucial. Our Select Network has been deployed throughout these disasters and this is something we are extremely proud of. We have been able to connect our community to a powerful network of mutual aid resources, allowing for communication and collaboration to bring relief as soon as possible. Axesat Mobility, our subsidiary operating in Mexico, provided services to First Responders immediately following the 7.1 magnitude quake that rocked Central Mexico. Our newly introduced Harrier mobile communications system was deployed to support relief efforts in Texas, Florida and St. Thomas. And as of recent, our critical communications systems were in route to San Juan Luis Munoz Marin Airport to help restore flight operations in Puerto Rico.
Hundreds of agencies have relied on us and we will continue to support them tirelessly. Our focus will always be the importance of our community’s abilities to communicate during emergency situations and to provide solutions that allow them to do so. As the largest provider of public safety satellite communications in the United States, this is our focus and what we work to improve every day.
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