Communications Are Vital to Fighting RIM FIRE in Yosemite National Forest

Yosemite National Forest, CA (PRWEB) August 26, 2013

Messina Emergency Services Provides Communications Unit to Fight Fire

Yosemite National Forest, CA-Messina Emergency Services, whose mission is to reduce devastation created by wildfires, is currently providing the communications unit at the Rim Fire in Yosemite National Forest, CA. The 36’ trailer equipped along with an 18’ foot toy hauler containing a satellite is the heart beat of the firefighting community. The units provide vital communication services to connect airborne attack and ground teams, hotshot units along with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and city and county fire agencies.

Essential to the firefighting effort is the ability for team to communicate. During a wildfire like the current Rim Fire in Yosemite, normally-use methods of communication often become unavailable says Dan Messina, a partner at Messina Emergency Services. “Communications towers and wires become burnt and unusable leaving firefighters unable to receive vital updates as to the speed and direction of the fire. If we can’t quickly re-establish communications, lives may be lost.” This was the case in the Yarnell Fire when the 19 Prescott Hotshots lost their lives earlier this year.

Messina’s communication unit is a self-contained office providing state-of-the-art equipment for firefighters. It is the epicenter of the temporary city established in the fire camp headquarters. The city provides all services needed by firefighters including sleeping tents, portable showers, food service, logistics and communications.

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