Communications trailer is now available when disaster strikes
Kathleen Woodford Mineral Independent | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 7 months AGO
The Department of Health and Human Services communications trailer was on display at the Mineral Community Hospital on April 9 for emergency responders to tour. The trailer is available for local emergencies for a small fee. (Photo courtesy Public Health Emergency Preparedness).
Mineral County emergency preparedness personnel were able to tour the Department of Public Health and Human Services communications trailer last Monday when it was parked at the Mineral Community Hospital.
Gary Zimmerman, who operates the equipment for the trailer was on hand to answer questions and demonstrate the trailer’s capabilities.
The Public Health Emergency Preparedness office of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services supports and maintains the Communication Trailer which is a “robust satellite communications platform that can be deployed and setup in minutes for reliable Internet, VoIP Phone, Satellite phone and Radio communications,” according to their literature.
In the event of an emergency or disaster, local emergency responders can contact the Public Health Emergency Preparedness office and request the trailer. If, for example, there was a remote wildfire, or a train derailment resulting in a chemical spill, and normal lines of communication wasn’t available, this trailer could be used to maintain contact for responders as needed.
The trailer if free of charge for training or exercise requests, said Bryce Nordgren with the Mineral County Local Emergency Planning Committee. However, if it is needed for a real incident, it costs $100 per day. Though Zimmerman didn’t talk about priorities, Nordgren said he imagined it would depend on what else was going on when requests for the trailer came in.
The trailer comes with a satellite dish with 5 megabytes download and 2 megabyte upload speed. Along with a Cisco IP based phone system, firewall and wireless access point. As well as desk set phones and wireless handset phones with approximately 200 yards of wireless coverage. Plus a Motorola 50 watt radio for local communication, a satellite phone, a high frequency radio, deep cycle volt batteries and a generator.
To request the trailer for emergency events, contact local disaster emergency services representatives. For training or exercise request contact Public Health Emergency Preparedness Supervisor Kevin O’Loughlin at (406) 444-0919.