Three antenna towers installed to enhance emergency communication

source:tcweeklynews.com

The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) unveiled one of towers on Monday, July 19, at its headquarters in Providenciales during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Mark Wilkinson, DDME’s radio communications manager, said the old towers do not work well in the TCI’s geographical location as they are stationary and outdated.

"The step that the DDME and the Government has taken to procure moveable, collapsible communication systems infrastructure is vital,” Wilkinson said.

The retractable mobile towers stationed in Providenciales, Middle Caicos and Salt Cay will reduce the impact to DDMEs emergency communication infrastructure during a disaster.

And they will allow swift restoration of emergency communications after a hurricane."We have to recognise the importance of this. We’re the first in the region to not stand against the storm, but more so adapt to the situation.”

Wilkinson said the towers, which were purchased from Aluma Tower, a Florida-based company, are specifically designed to withstand corrosive environments.

It is equipped with an air conditioning unit and a five-kilowatt generator capable of powering any building it is erected next to.

Acting Governor Anya Williams commended the DDME for achieving such an important milestone in improving its disaster preparedness and response measures.

"As we continue our preparedness, our response, it’s important that we continue to take steps to ensure that we procure the necessary equipment that will help us in our defence,” she said.

"This is a major investment the Government has made and an important investment, and we’re one of the first in the region to do so.”

Williams reflected on the 2017 storms which dismantled the TCI’s communication channels and stressed the importance of emergency communication on all islands.

Hon. Arlington Musgrove?, Minister of Immigration and Border Services with responsibility for Disaster Management, also spoke at the ceremony.

He said that while there is much work left to be done, he is confident that the TCI is on its way to building the foundation required for a robust and reliable emergency communications system.

"I am specifically proud to see us investing in equipment that is mobile, which means that they can be deployed anywhere on the island. Each tower is made from aluminium and is able to extend 100 foot.

"Their multifunctional capabilities allow the towers to be lowered and stored in a safe location to survive a storm, and then restore the towers to full functionality after the storm has passed.”

"It will reduce the feeling of isolation that is often experienced after a storm when communication is down.”

He said that during the first phase of this project, the Government was able to secure three mobile antenna towers, for Providenciales, South Caicos and Grand Turk.

"The second phase will allow us to secure three additional towers for North Caicos, Middle Caicos and Salt Cay.”

DDME’s Acting Director Mike Clerveaux stressed that efficient and effective mitigation and preparedness requires heavy investment in infrastructure that can withstand a category three hurricane or higher.

"The investment in the emergency radio communication antennas is a first step in the right direction,” he told gathered guests.

"It will provide essential communication between inter-islands and inter-agencies after an emergency. He added that emergency communication is critical to national security and the TCI’s ability to manage disasters.

Clerveaux underscored that building technical capacity at all levels to ensure the department and by extension the territory is able to respond to disasters is paramount.

He said the breakdown of essential communications is one of the most widely shared problems of all disasters.