MITOC Supports Kentucky EM during ice storm

Date:  January 27, 2009

The Murray State Mobile Emergency Telecom Lab (METL) was deployed to support the Kentucky Emergency Management resources in Western Kentucky. Kentucky was hit by a significant ice storm on January 27, 2009. The MITOC communications resources were used to provide internet access for the Regional Emergency Manager at the National Guard Armory at Benton Kentucky. The National Guard internet capability was down because of the ice storm. If the MITOC was not at the Armory the emergency manager would not have email or internet. The storm is expected to continue for another 24 hours. Earlier today this storm stretched from the New Mexico/Texas border to West Virginia.

As a result from the ice storm, the Internet and phone lines were down. The cell phone service was getting less reliable due to the storm problems and increased usage because of the failure of the fixed infrastructure.

The METL an MITOC provided internet service, backup VOIP phone service and power from a generator and MITOC vehicle. THE METL and MITOC also powered several computers, radios, lamps, and projectors. If the METL and MITOC were not at the National Guard, the emergency manager would be setting in the dark and not be able to talk or communicate with anyone during this powerful ice storm.

Benton ice storm

The Challenge

The task of assuring the security of our homeland involves protecting the citizens of the United States, the nation's critical infrastructure and key assets. This is necessary to sustain the nation's vitality against terrorism and other threats. This protection must originate at the community level. It requires discovering, developing and deploying new technology that will support first responders and key decision makers in local communities.

The Mission

NIHS' mission is to discover, develop and deploy solutions that protect and preserve the critical infrastructure of the nation's communities.

The Institute

NIHS aligns projects and research objectives with the needs and requirements of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The strategy is to manage a distributed research enterprise that effectively transitions research and development into solutions. NIHS works with DHS to determine technology needs at the community level. Then, teams are quickly assembled from multiple universities to develop solutions to the needs.

The Strategy

Through management of the Kentucky Critical Infrastructure Protections Program (KCI), the National Institute for Hometown Security (NIHS) provides an ongoing, integrated program dedicated to developing new technologies and devices. NIHS works through qualified academic institutions to accomplish the technological objectives.