Disaster
Tech Lab Now
Using
Globalstar
to Enhance
Global
Emergency
Communications
Services
June 18,
2015
Globalstar,
Inc.
announced
that
Disaster
Tech Lab is
using
Globalstar’s
satellite
phones and
SPOT
handheld
messengers
to improve
the
efficiency
of its
humanitarian
rescue
operations
and enhance
the safety
of its
volunteers
in disaster
zones.
Disaster
Tech Lab
sets up
networks and
services
that enable
communications
for aid
organisations
and NGOs as
well as
affected
communities.
Disaster
Tech Lab’s
volunteers
in Nepal,
setting up
communications
networks in
the
aftermath of
the recent
earthquakes,
are already
using SPOT
Gen3
units.
The rugged,
easy-to-use
handheld
devices are
set up to
automatically
report the
user’s
location at
regular
intervals.
The device
includes a
‘check-in’
button to
send to
Disaster
Tech Lab’s
headquarters
with a
prepared
message,
indicating
that all is
OK, as well
as an SOS
feature in
case of
emergency.
SPOT has
initiated
over 3,500
life-saving
rescues to
date and is
already
relied upon
by numerous
emergency
management
organisations.
Globalstar
GSP-1700
satellite
phones,
currently
free when
activating
on select
airtime
plans, will
be used by
Disaster
Tech Lab’s
communications
and IT
specialist
volunteers
to
coordinate
activities
with the
head office,
such as
planning the
shipment of
solar
powered
satellite
terminals.
“Globalstar
satellite
phones will
make a big
difference
to us. We
will be less
reliant on
VHF radios
and will be
able to
overcome
logistical
challenges
in getting
the right
equipment to
the right
place,
speeding up
operations
significantly,”
said Evert
Bopp,
founder of
Disaster
Tech Lab.
“At times,
we can have
up to five
separate
teams
operating in
demanding
circumstances
around the
world. With
the SPOT app
on my
smartphone,
I can easily
see where
every team
is and be
reassured
that they
are safe.
Their
friends and
family can
also have
that
reassurance.”
“By
providing
communications
equipment on
the ground,
Disaster
Tech Lab
plays a
pivotal role
in helping
aid agencies
communicate
and disaster
victims stay
in touch
with loved
ones and
authorities.
Even in a
technologically
sophisticated
environment,
such as New
York in the
aftermath of
Hurricane
Sandy, the
emergency
services and
NGOs turned
to Disaster
Tech Lab to
provide
communications.
Their
expertise
also extends
to bringing
Wi-Fi to
remote
villages
devastated
by typhoons
and other
natural
disasters,
enabling
locals to
use Skype
for the
first time
to get in
touch. With
Globalstar
satellite
services
added to
their
solution, we
are ensuring
these
volunteers
are able to
plan better
and be kept
safe,” said
Jay Monroe,
Chairman and
CEO,
Globalstar.
