Satellite technology will help searchers save lives

A homegrown solution that takes satellite provided high speed broadband internet access to rugged and inaccessible parts of New Zealand will be used for the first time as part of a multiagency search and rescue exercise this weekend (6-7 March) in the central North Island region.

Based at the Raumai training area, the annual exercise will involve up to 170 staff and LandSAR volunteers from the Manawatu, Horowhenua, Whanganui, Tararua and Ruapehu regions. Multi agency helicopters will also take part in the 48 hour exercise. The exercise scenario will be based on missing and potentially injured persons.

A unique portable satellite unit that will provide a vital communications link for search teams will be incorporated for the first time in the search and rescue event. The system will add a new dimension to the command and control aspects of the exercise, provide vital information that will speed up decision cycles, make searchers jobs much easier – and most importantly have the potential to save lives, says Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) volunteer and exercise coordinator Tony Groome.

“Having the opportunity to use the Farmside sponsored satellite system during our training exercise is going to make a huge difference to how we are able to operate. It’ll be a quantum leap from operating with hand held radios and runners passing paper to something more akin to a 21st century office environment.”

Prior to the Farmside sponsored satellite connection, search and rescue activity that occurred in remote and inaccessible areas was based on intermittent cell phone signals, hand held radio communications and a series of runners transporting paper between search teams and the command centre.

For years, those involved in LandSAR have recognised the enormous potential value of broadband internet access to remote search sites. It could provide Search and Rescue staff with access to e mail, the telephone network and to web sites that can provide up to date information such as mapping, aerial photos, weather data and forecasts.

Alan Thompson, a volunteer with Wellington LandSAR for six years, will be operating the satellite link during the exercise. Alan turned his IT and telecommunication talents to the communications problem and came up with a typical Kiwi Number 8 wire solution: Portable satellite communications based on ‘off the shelf’ technology with proven reliable performance and New Zealand based support.

With sponsorship from Farmside, a rural communications provider that delivers high speed broadband via fixed satellite dish into rural properties, Alan was the first in New Zealand to develop a system that was fully portable – and could be taken into remote and rugged search locations where it can be quickly deployed without specialist skills to provide vital information that can help save lives.

Farmside were very keen to be involved in the project. Tony Baird, Farmside CEO says the project has not only helped a vital New Zealand service find people faster and save lives, but also provided a perfect testing platform for Farmside technology.

“We have been delighted to play a role in bringing help to people even faster than with existing technology, and we have been able to confirm that adaptability of our satellite delivered broadband – it really does provide high speed broadband in the most challenging and unreachable terrain,” he says.

A satellite dish, a tripod and a box of electronics means search and rescue teams can now have communication from extremely isolated sites back to headquarters and can feed and receive a whole range of information via the IPstar satellite using Farmside sponsored equipment and bandwidth.

ENDS

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