Hurricane Otis Disaster Response

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Building a resilient emergency response in Acapulco using TETRA technology post Hurricane Otis

Challenge

In October 2023, Hurricane Otis struck Acapulco, creating an urgent need to restore reliable communication for coordinated rescue and relief across multiple agencies. The crisis highlighted the need for a robust, quickly deployable, and interoperable communication system for both immediate and long-term emergency response.

Solution

Jomtel’s TETRA network project provided a swift, sustainable solution with DAMM base stations and Sepura radios. Sepura SCG Mobile radios restored immediate communication, while DAMM BS422 base stations ensured seamless interoperability, supporting both recovery and future emergency readiness for Acapulco.

Benefits

This solution swiftly restored critical communication, enhancing interagency coordination and response times. The resilient TETRA infrastructure supports long-term recovery and future readiness, while DAMM’s energy-efficient design minimises environmental impact.

In October 2023, category 5 Hurricane Otis devastated Acapulco, leaving extensive destruction and an urgent need to restore communication infrastructure. Swift and reliable communication became essential to coordinate rescue and relief efforts across multiple agencies using different technology platforms. To address this, Jomtel was awarded the TETRA network project, delivering a full communication solution that included DAMM base station technology and Sepura mobile and portable radios.

Key objectives for restoring and future-proofing communication in Acapulco

The TETRA network initiative had three key objectives:

1. Immediate restoration of communication services

The first priority was to restore basic communication across emergency agencies. SCG Mobile radios were deployed in DMO Repeater Mode, significantly expanding Direct Mode Operation (DMO) coverage for agencies equipped with Sepura SC20 radios.

2. Implementing future-proof technology

The initiative was designed to be sustainable, with the TETRA system ensuring long-term communication support for Acapulco’s recovery and resilience against future emergencies. This foresight positions the community to be better prepared for future disaster response.

3. Establishing a wide-area radio communication network

The operation aimed to quickly establish a comprehensive communication network that could facilitate coordination across agencies operating with different radio technologies. DAMM multitechnology outdoor base stations enabled interoperability, bridging communications between diverse radio platforms.

Empowering emergency communication with DAMM and Sepura technologies

The TETRA network implementation relied on DAMM Outdoor BS422 multitechnology base stations paired with Sepura SCG22 mobile radios and SC20 hand-held portables. Key technological innovations included:

Multitechnology capability

DAMM base stations bridged Analog and DMR systems with TETRA, expanding device compatibility and allowing seamless interoperability among emergency responders and volunteer groups.

Rapid deployment

The high-power DMO and DMO repeater functionalities of Sepura radios enabled quick communication setup, even as the full network was being implemented, allowing immediate on-the-ground coordination.

Empowering responders and communities with reliable communication

The TETRA network solution empowers humanitarian efforts, providing substantial benefits to end users and the broader community:

1. Swift emergency communication

Restoring communication quickly allows emergency responders to coordinate effectively, ensuring public safety and accelerating rescue operations.

2. Enhanced interagency coordination

By enabling a wide-area communication network, the TETRA system improves response times and operational effectiveness in critical situations, directly benefiting Acapulco’s residents and surrounding communities.

3. Long-term communication support

With future-proof technology, the TETRA network infrastructure supports Acapulco’s ongoing recovery and strengthens the community’s resilience against future emergencies, promoting societal well-being and safeguarding lives.

Reducing environmental impact with DAMM’s sustainable TETRA infrastructure

DAMM’s TETRA outdoor infrastructure minimises environmental impact through energy-efficient design and compact form, requiring fewer materials and installation hardware. The system eliminates the need for large building shelters, reducing the overall environmental footprint compared to traditional communication infrastructure solutions. The focus on sustainability reinforces the commitment to delivering sustainable solutions to protect both the community and the environment.

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