GATR Supports Local Agencies and Tornado Victims with Critical Satellite Connectivity

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Today GATR Technologies announced its recent support of local emergency response agencies and tornado victims in North Alabama and surrounding area with critical satellite connectivity (via the GATR inflatable antenna system) and personnel in the wake of the tornados that ripped through Alabama on April 27^th. Communication links (phone, internet, and some cell services) were severely impaired with over 600,000 residences and businesses throughout North Alabama suffering power disruption for nearly a week. As emergency and utility crews worked through the night after the storms hit and the following days, GATR’s response team contacted local emergency response agencies offering connectivity for critical emergency management operations. In addition, GATR also supplied Wi-Fi Internet connections for victims to contact family and friends in the areas where all communication lines were down and cell coverage was limited or inoperable. GATR donated satellite link time and deployed 9 antennas throughout the upper-half of Alabama. Several antennas are still in operation.

“This is exactly what our products are geared for… first-in deployments, remote applications and contingency scenarios.”

GATR’s inflatable antennas have been providing communications to emergency responders, community leaders, and affected residents since the morning after (4/28/11) the storms that generated tornados in the southeast United States. “We are always prepared to quickly respond with our technology in the wake of catastrophic events, but we didn’t expect to respond to a disaster in our own community.” states Paul Gierow, President at GATR Technologies. “This is exactly what our products are geared for… first-in deployments, remote applications and contingency scenarios.” Agencies, victims, volunteers, and companies all were impressed with the ‘Ball of Connectivity,’ even though it operates exactly like a precision rigid satellite dish/terminal; the unique inflated ball, designed for extreme portability, always attracts attention. The GATR is currently used by U.S. Military, Intelligence, and Homeland Security (FEMA) organizations to provide first-in communications in remote areas and contingency situations.

“After the devastating tornadoes struck our community on April 27, GATR Technologies’ satellite antenna made a critical difference in relief efforts, serving as our primary means of communication. With normal communication and power lines down, GATR’s high-speed internet connection helped law enforcement and volunteers request chainsaws and other tools to repair infrastructure, coordinate feeding thousands of people, access maps online to speed the recovery, and communicate with agencies outside the area.” – Dale Strong, Madison County Commissioner, District 4

“GATR Technologies arrived the day after the storm to set-up their large, inflatable satellite dish and established the only internet connection at our Ryan School volunteer center. We were very grateful for the communications GATR provided, which helped the Deputy Sheriffs manage relief activities and enabled volunteer coordinators to register and distribute needed items to area residents. GATR’s donation of time and equipment significantly helped our storm recovery efforts.” – Eddie Hicks, Director, Morgan County Emergency Management Agency

The following is a summary of the organizations, locations, and notes from the locations that GATR antennas were deployed.

Organization:	Morgan County Tornado Strike Command Post, Decatur, Alabama
NOTES:	Provided Wi-Fi and internet access to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department and associated agencies which enabled them to coordinate logistics over laptops, smart phones, and cell phones.
Organization:	Alabama Power Co. / Southern Co., Gadsden, AL
NOTES:	Deployed the GATR antenna to Alabama Power field sites using their service provider and networking equipment, enabling connection to their company network and dispatch system. This allowed them to communicate effectively between field sites to restore power.
Organization:	EMA, Morgan County Court House, Decatur, AL
NOTES:	Provided internet connection during a service disruption. This enabled restoration network and voice-over IP phone services at the courthouse where Morgan County’s EMA is located, along with central city and county administrative functions.
Organization:	Madison County District 4 Commission Office, Harvest, AL
NOTES:	Provided internet, Wi-Fi, and Verizon mobile services through a GATR antenna link at the District 4 office enabling law enforcement, emergency responders, and county services to coordinate disaster relief efforts.
Organization:	Monrovia Community Center, Harvest, AL
NOTES:	Provided connectivity (Wi-Fi Cloud) to the Monrovia Community Center for the public to connect with their families using their laptops and cell phones. Also enabled local authorities to access the Internet via laptops in their vehicles.
Organization:	GATR Network Operations Center, Huntsville, AL
NOTES:	Provided communications at the GATR Network Operations Center. GATR staff monitored deployed antennas, provided remote assistance to GATR users and IT networking support for each site. Linked all deployed personnel through online chats.
Organization:	Alabama Power Co./Southern Co., Phil Campbell, AL
NOTES:	Deployed the GATR antenna to Alabama Power field sites using their service provider and networking equipment, enabling connection to their company network and dispatch system. This allowed them to communicate effectively between field sites to restore power.
Organization:	EMA Marshall County, Guntersville, AL
NOTES:	Provided a reliable internet connection to replace their T1 connection at the operations center. Worked with Cisco’s tactical operations team to establish a connection that supported approximately 20 computers used for weather monitoring, email, recovery efforts, and communication with Alabama EMA.
Organization:	Walker County EMA, Jasper, AL
NOTES:	Provided satellite Internet connectivity to Cisco’s equipment that provided for internet access for EMA staff members operating both hard-wired desktops and wireless laptops.

About the GATR Antenna

The GATR Antenna System is a deployable inflatable satellite communication solution. The GATR is a proven, ultra-portable, light-weight, stand-alone communications terminal that can also provide a replacement/contingency solution for large antennas or boost the gain of small-dish terminals.

The GATR antennas (1.2m, 1.8m, and 2.4m) have the same communication capability as heavier, less portable, rigid dishes, but can be packed into two transit cases weighing less than 100 lbs. each (or 1 case/or backpack for the 1.2 meter solution). The unique inflatable ball when anchored properly is more stable in wind than conventional dishes; it is lighter and has a much smaller packaged volume than any comparable rigid dish. The GATR is also quick and easy to set up (inflated, anchored, and on satellite in under 30 minutes).

The GATR is currently used by U.S. Military, Intelligence, and Homeland Security organizations at Ku-, C-, and X-band.

About GATR Technologies

Incorporated in 2004, GATR Technologies manufactures the inflatable satellite communications terminals. GATR’s patented, unique design enables deployment of large aperture satellite terminals in as few as two airline checkable cases, making it ideal for first-in deployments, remote applications and contingency scenarios where transportation and space are limited (includes U.S. Military, Intelligence, and Homeland Security organizations). GATR also provides custom engineering services in these markets. More information on GATR can be found at www.gatr.com.

Editors: Images may be downloaded here: https://gatr.sharefile.com/d/sdf53559899e4d23b.