But this year’s hurricane season – which has generated named storms much earlier in the calendar year than anticipated – isn’t the only thing that’s out of the ordinary. Simply turn on the news and you’ll see that we’re dealing with unprecedented times.

If our nation was impacted by a major hurricane tomorrow, those that would be responsible for responding to that hurricane would be doing so during a global pandemic. That same COVID-19 pandemic that has already taxed our nation’s communications and healthcare networks and resources.

When these disasters hit, government agencies that are working with an already-taxed infrastructure will still be expected to respond effectively and in a timely, coordinated fashion. And to accomplish that, they’ll need tools that enable communications and situational awareness – even if already-taxed terrestrial networks fail.

Recently, experts from SES Space and Defense, Verizon, and goTenna sat down with Government Technology Insider’s Ryan Schradin to talk about the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic could make this upcoming hurricane and wildfire season one of the most challenging ever for emergency responders. During their virtual panel discussion, they explained the role that communications networks play in enabling a coordinated, effectual emergency response, and how technologies like SATCOM and mobile mesh networking can help ensure communications even when multiple emergencies are raging simultaneously.

Click the play button below to hear their entire discussion.

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Worse, these disasters have a tendency to destroy many of the things that first responders rely on to effectively do their jobs, including the terrestrial networks and communications infrastructures that enable them to coordinate their emergency response, collaborate in the field and communicate when they need direction, guidance or support.

Satellite services are one of a handful of advanced technologies that can be leveraged in the field to help assuage the lack of communication that often accompanies natural disasters and emergency response situations. Without the need for established, permanent terrestrial systems and infrastructure, today’s advanced satellite technologies can connect first responders even when terrestrial networks are denied. They can even provide communications infrastructure to residents after disasters have passed.

Recently, experts from SES Space and Defense, Verizon and goTenna came together with Peter Jacobs of the Government Technology Insider Podcast to talk all about the communications requirements during and after natural disasters and emergency response situations. During the podcast, they talked about why terrestrial networks are often compromised, the challenges this causes, and how advanced technologies are making it possible to communicate in even the worst conditions.

Click the play button below to hear their entire discussion.

Click HERE to download a complimentary copy of the “Emergency Response From Space” whitepaper and learn how satellite communications can keep first responders connected in disaster response scenarios.

The post PODCAST: The advanced technologies connecting emergency response efforts appeared first on SES Space and Defense.