ARNI's on the way to help in a disaster
AirBridge Network
Douglas Shire can expect to have up to half of the first distribution of state of the art AirBridge “ARNI” emergency communications units promised by the LNP pre-election in its region keeping communications flowing during a disaster situation.
Newsport can reveal up to four of the 10 mobile AirBridge Resilient Network Infrastructure (ARNI) units, which use satellite technology to enable emergency services and community to maintain connectivity when phones, power, and internet goes down during, and after, natural disasters, strategically located between Ellis Beach and Cape Tribulation.
Just where the units, developed by Smithfield-based tech firm AirBridge Network, will be placed for maximum efficiency was the main topic of discussion this week when Cook MP David Kempton met with key stakeholders.
“We promised 10 of these things and we are now looking strategically at where they should be placed for the best coverage,’’ Mr Kempton said.
Confirming the $1.5m investment in the units had been signed off in the State Budget six weeks ago, work was being ramped up to ensure the network had the invaluable added defence in time for the next wet season.
“Where these units are placed will be crucial, as is how they are administered,’’ Mr Kempton said.
“That will be done by either local disaster management groups or councils.
“There will be units in place for this coming wet season and there might be three or four between Ellis Beach and Cape Tribulation, is what the indication is.’’
AirBridge Networks’ founder and managing director Doug Stephens, a Far North Queensland local, said he and his team were “taking the absolute best of technology as it exists today and we are putting it into ARNI – in terms of communications, this is regional Australia’s best defence.”
Mr Kempton said the $1.5m investment would, “ensure residents, businesses and emergency workers have the level of reliable connectivity and communication required in times of power outages or mainstream communication failures.”
“Cyclones and natural disasters are an ongoing part of life in the north,” Mr Kempton said.
“The first thing to go is mainstream power and communication, there are stories of people being stuck on roofs, people experiencing medical emergencies, unable to contact loved ones and family, because the phone service and power can be out for days.”
“The ARNI is a locally built unit which can be wheeled out after a natural disaster and provides instant communication to hundreds of users. It is fully autonomous and simple to use. They are a very clever piece of kit and are a game changer when it comes to surviving natural disasters.”
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