Satellite communications has in the past been too expensive. Today with the advances in technology we are able to move into these areas as well. We have a satellite communications system here in Orange County, which was provided by the State Division of Emergency Management. This system is now in every county statewide. We are able to contact the State or any county 24 hours a day. This system took the place of the statewide NAWAS system of a few years back. In the area of new technology we are just getting started. We are looking at new advances in video technology. The idea of sending secure video across wide areas in the past has been very expensive and UN-reliable. That is changing and we are constantly looking at how we can incorporate it into our operations. GPS or Global Positioning Systems is another technology that has great application in emergency management. These are the large systems, but cellular and wireless technology as a whole is increasingly more applicable and critical to our operations.

This is why we have contingency plans in place. One very important element of our contingency planning is the amateur radio community and the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) organization. We have chosen the Orange County Communications Auxiliary to provide emergency communications to Orange County in the event of a communications failure.The Orange County Communications Auxiliary is a dedicated group of amateur radio operators volunteering their time, equipment and expertise to provide emergency communications for the Orange County Emergency Response Team.  The beauty of this organization is the self-sufficiency each member brings to the operations. These folks can operate under the most undesirable circumstances and without the assistance of power, and many of the other luxuries we have come to expect. The Orange County Communications Auxiliary would like to offer their services to any ESF that would have a need to augment their communications during any situation.

Disaster Communications is critical and the most demanding to maintain during disasters. Communications Continuity is a constant goal in the emergency management sector. Orange County Florida has an 800 trunking radio system in place. Could it go down? Maybe. Will it go down? Maybe. 

Our job is to minimize the worst possibilities and to have redundant messaging systems available to replace breaks in our communication stream. Even though we try and prevent communications from failing, its usually not a question of "if" but "when".

For additional information, please contact:

Keith Kotch

Telephone: (407) 836-9151 / Email
Fax: (407) 836-9147

• Florida Emergency Alert System (EAS)

• Orange County Television (OTV)

• OCAlert.net (text messages)