Civil Protection Digital Communications Network recognised as case of international study
The Regional Secretary for Health conveyed his satisfaction with the fact that the US company Motorola Solutions highlights the digital communications network of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA) in its portal as a global success story and a case study.
"The fact that a worldwide recognised external entity has acknowledged a pilot project implemented in the Azores is a source of pride," said Rui Luís. The government official spoke on the sidelines of a visit to the Assistance and Emergency Management room of SRPCBA in Angra do Heroísmo.
The system, designated MOTOTRBO, was implemented in September 2016 in partnership with Globaleda; SRPCBA has exceeded the proposed goal for a coverage rate of 95% of the territory and 98% of the population.
This network allows greater efficiency and reliability of communications in case of disaster on each island and also at an inter-island level over 650 kilometres.
This network ensures continuous communications even in emergency situations such as earthquakes and bad weather conditions, when regular mobile and landlines may fail.
Rui Luís highlighted the advantages of this network in operational terms, stressing that it "is prepared in the event of a disaster."
"It has redundancies that allow us to be sure that everything will work as it is associated with a GPS system that drives all the available means of SRPCBA" said the government official.
Network users, including firefighters, ambulance drivers and other health professionals, are equipped with 90 base stations and 700 mobile and portable radios.
The Regional Secretary announced that a regional drill will be carried out this year. In addition to the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service, it will involve Civil Protection municipal services and Armed Forces.
Motorola Solutions serves over 100 thousand business customers and public safety government agencies in more than 100 countries.