In a new article for Disaster Recovery Journal, Inmarsat Government’s SVP of Government Strategy and Policy, Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch, outlines the critical steps that first responder organisations should take to ensure an efficient, seamless response when disasters strike.

She emphasises the value of a proactive approach that addresses risk from an end-to-end perspective, as well as the importance of ensuring that a communications infrastructure is in place before a disaster occurs: “In an evolving threat and technology environment, a proactive approach addresses risks from an end-to-end perspective,” says Rebecca. “With respect to preparedness, it is far easier, less costly, and more effective to have the communications architecture building blocks in place well before the worst happens.

“For first responders and other public safety personnel, every second counts and reliable connectivity is imperative to maintain seamless communications services in the midst of unpredicted and often unanticipated scenarios.”

Critical communications

Rebecca goes on to recommend a list of items that first responders should work on with their communities and elected leaders to ensure that critical communications capabilities are funded and executed upon ahead of a disaster.

“It is imperative to have a reliable, always-on network that allows responders to focus on the other myriad of critical priorities through the provision of SATCOM capabilities with minimum installation effort prior to use. Responders depend on an end-to-end system that enables global mobility and portability. This system allows first responders to spend minimal time installing, troubleshooting and configuring, thus insuring their focus and time is spent on the mission,” she writes.

Read the full article on the Disaster Recovery Journal website: drj.com/journal/a-communications-checklist-for-effective-disaster-response/