Peter Schorsch
For most Americans, Labor Day signals the end of summer and the beginning of the school year.
But for first responders and public service workers throughout the South and East Coast of the United States, Labor Day has the potential to be the most dangerous time of year, highlighted by regular threats of severe weather.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season is in full force through Nov. 30, and residents of coastal states must stay alert and prepared.
Over the last several weeks, three major hurricanes have made landfall in the mainland U.S. and Caribbean territories.
First was Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 130 mph that ravaged Texas Gulf Coast Aug. 25. Soon afterward, Hurricane Irma, at one point a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 180 mph, which hit South Florida after devastating islands in the Caribbean. Then, Hurricane Maria, a massive Category 5 storm which caused unprecedented destruction to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Ahead of any significant weather event — particularly ones that potentially threaten life and property — the need for reliable communications is at its highest; emergency responders, law enforcement, and public utilities must be able to communicate quickly and efficiently, identify areas of need to keep the public safe.
In such situations, every moment counts.
Radio systems using microwave technology provide a high degree of reliability, allowing first responders and public utility workers to perform lifesaving jobs without the burden of technical difficulties.
Aviat supplies its public service customers with radio system designed to be both weather-resistant and reliable in severe high wind and flooding conditions. But the success of those systems is not only found during an active weather event but in the period before storm clouds arrive.
Preparations include moving shelters to higher ground, incorporating wind-resistant designs, and creating redundant systems to minimize disruptions when a site or even one radio is out of commission.
High-power radios offer even higher reliability, with stronger signals broadcast over greater distances using a smaller antenna. Severe weather is likely to have less of an impact on receivers with smaller antennas. And even if the wind blows a small antenna out of alignment, high-power radios can still send out a signal without interruption.
Preventive maintenance is also essential, keeping microwave systems and radios in top working order and ready for action.
This requires an equally reliable partnership between vendors, state and local agencies and utilities in a proactive effort to keep systems at their peak. Network Operations Centers are available among suppliers to help identify potential issues before they become real problems.
Aviat, with its U.S.-based employees, assisted agencies both before and after an event to guarantee communications systems work correctly, so that first responders can stay focused on the job at hand — saving lives and protecting the public.
After Harvey, Aviat offered backup support to a Houston utility with added microwave technology so it could recover quickly after severe wind and flooding damage, allowing personnel to communicate as they began the job of rebuilding.
As Hurricane Irma approached Florida, preventive measures helped keep radio communications available during the storm, as well as in the critical days afterward. Collaborating with local governments and municipalities, Aviat’s local Florida teams also continued to make themselves available for support.
As the nation recovers from Harvey, Irma and Maria, Aviat salutes the bravery of first responders and volunteers who sprang into action, selflessly rendering aid to millions of victims in need.
