FedEx Supplies Communications in New Orleans

[dsbyrd]

Ran across a story in Fortune magazine about a FedEx radio tech who was sitting in Memphis, watching news coverage of Hurricane Katrina, and listening to reports about almost non-existent communications for emergency responders. In one of the news shots he noticed a FedEx antenna mount on top of a building that was still intact.

Five days later, and with the help of the 82nd Airborne, he had a FedEx repeater on the air and 125 HTs in the hands of emergency workers. This guy is actually a friend of mine (worked with him in the past at FedEx) and I spoke with him yesterday to congratulate him on his actions. He told me the 82nd was very happy with the repeater coverage, which was at least 30-35 miles in most directions. He also indicated that part of the delay in FEMA and the 82nd gettting their own systems online, was red tape related to getting permission to use the frequencies they needed, whereas FedEx was already licensed for the 800 MHZ system Mike installed.

You can read the story at:

http://www.fortune.com/fortune/articles/0,15114,1105979,00.html

 

[oregontreehugger]

That's pretty neat! Nice that your friend recognized the need and went for it...

 

[Vol4Ever]

*Very* cool. My wife works at the FedEx headquarters here in Memphis. I sent the link to her & some of her co-workers.