Satellite aids in rescues

[five_alarm]

WINNIPEG, MB - Manitoba's elite Urban Search and Rescue team is going even more high-tech. The emergency response team -- one of only four in the country -- has added a mobile satellite system to improve communications in the field.

The portable system can connect up to 15 computers via satellite to transmit and receive voice, data and video communications from any location. The $25,000 technology will reduce the need for land lines and cellphones, which aren't always readily available in an emergency, said Doug Popowich, the province's fire commissioner.

Source: Winnipeg Sun (http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/WinnipegSun/News/2005/06/22/1099312-sun.html) , winnipeg.cbc.ca (http://winnipeg.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=mb_satellite-usar-20050621)

[Toxic]

I might be missing something here with USAR in the province of Manitoba. I unsderstand the need for GSAR and think that's great. I like the idea of being USAR capable but when will we ever use it? We are not in an earthquake prone area, nor is terrorism a huge issue. I guess a tornado could conceivably do it. When was the last building collapse in Manitoba?
I'm not trying to be a smart guy, just wondering...

[iamvff]

Hey tox,
The most common collapse we will be expected to see in our neck of the woods will be things like arena collapse from snow load...etc. Where and how that fits into needing satellite...not sure, but I don't doubt that this equipment would be used for the gsar end of things as well. USAR can also be called on for things other than collapse. They have the possibilities of being called on for other complicatd rescues, and recoveries that other places may not have the capabilities to deal with. ( I think)


iamvff

[firefighter26]

When we get "the big one" out here on the coast there is a good chance that all local emergency infrastructure is going to be literally obliterated and if not, so overwhelmed they will be ineffective. It is going to be teams from other provinces that we are going to have to rely on, and vice versa if a huge disaster happened in Winnipeg.