SWE-DISH IPT Suitcase Assistance in Post-Katrina Relief Efforts

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, The coastal regions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama were devastated by high winds and flooding. Thousands of people who chose to weather the storm found their homes destroyed and their families in desperate need of food, water and medical assistance. Emergency Medical Crews, Law Enforcement, and the National Guard immediately deployed to these regions, but required coordination from FEMA and the state and local Governments before their assistance could be effectively applied. FEMA solicited help from industry, to include Cisco Systems Inc, and SWE-DISH Satellite Systems Inc, to established "relief and rebuild communication teams" for the hardest hit areas.  

Within minutes of arrival, CISCO and SWE-DISH provided phones, radio communications, and internet connectivity to local Medical Services, Red Cross, State and local police and fire departments. The SWE-DISH Satellite Suitcase provided 2 Mbps duplex broadband communications.

CISCO and SWE-DISH with its highly mobile communication solutions were able to move quickly to various locations and be the first "relief and rebuild team" providing communication until alternative solutions came into place. One example was the Charles B. Murphy Elementary School in Pearlington, MS, a poor area that the eye of the hurricane went through. This equipment was supporting the National Guard, Red Cross, FEMA and other various organizations. These organizations were involved in setting up a shelter in the school for people who were living in the forest, in cars and any other sheltered area they could find. An Emergency Operation Center (EOC) was established at the Stennis Airport in Mississippi. Another area supported was Gulfport, supporting Mississippi Highway patrol and 400 other police agencies from different States and locations.

In addition to the two systems that SWE-DISH Satellite Systems Inc. directly provided, several of SWE-DISH's customers (military and government agencies as well as News Networks) had SWE-DISH satellite terminals deployed to this region.

Speed and mobility is the essence in responding to a crisis situation. The SWE-DISH IPT Suitcase is a small, quick-to-air and compact satellite system. It is designed to be easily transported and weights only 38 kg (84 lbs). The terminal is fully integrated with automatic satellite acquisition for ease of use. It provides IP-based wired or wireless data and voice connectivity for areas that do not have, or have lost a communication infrastructure. This system allows for rapid communication to be set-up in remote or disaster locations, within minutes of arrival. These reasons, among others, are why SWE-DISH Satellite Systems Inc is said to contain 'the best satellite equipment ever.'

SWE-DISH is proud to have played such an important role in the relief and assistance of so many people in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It was a tremendous pleasure to work with the team at CISCO Systems Inc, and we would also like to thank SES Americom and ON-BAND for the Satellite Bandwidth provided during this period.

Also the Swedish Government is using satellite communication systems from SWE-DISH Satellite Systems during disaster relief efforts e.g. after the Tsunami disaster in Thailand.

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ABOUT SWE-DISH
SWE-DISH Satellite Systems is a world-leading supplier of mobile satellite communications equipment and related services for broadband applications. The company supplies major broadcasters, armed forces and disaster relief organizations amongst others, with compact and quick-to-air satellite terminals for live transmission of video, data, internet and voice content from anywhere in the world. The customer base includes broadcasters such as CNN and BBC, disaster relief organizations and military organizations such as United Nations, NATO, Danish Defense, the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) and the US Department of Defense. SWE-DISH was established 1994. http://www.swe-dish.com.