To contain the fire and reduce damage to the environment, firefighters needed to maintain constant communication between themselves and their command centers. To accomplish this, wireless wide-area network and local area network integrator NAS, was called on to create a temporary wireless network with components provided by BelAir Networks.
Deployed in less than 24 hours, the temporary Cave Creek network was built with BelAir200 wireless, multi-service switch routers and BelAir100 wireless multi-service nodes. Technical crews from NAS and BelAir worked with local emergency crews to design and install a network that provided high speed Internet access to all levels of the fire fighting operation including logistics, communications and air operations.
The massive Cave Creek fire was managed from three command locations which were completely supported by the BelAir/NAS wireless mesh network. A four-radio BelAir200 system was installed on the roof of a support vehicle stationed at the Falcon Field airport near Mesa, Arizona, to provide fire managers with a satellite uplink to the Internet. A dual-radio BelAir100 node was mounted at the Cave Creek airport--a private airfield--to provide a DSL connection to the Internet for 120 firefighters. The wireless mesh network was completed by a BelAir200 providing access and backhaul and a BelAir100 that provided Internet and Intranet access to press and firefighting professionals monitoring the fire from the Incidence Command Post (ICP) at the Sonora Desert middle school, which was the headquarters for the entire Cave Creek firefighting operation.
"Wildfires move fast and we knew it was critical to have a reliable wireless network deployed at Cave Creek as soon as possible to help the firefighters," said Jim Bradfield, CEO of NAS Wireless. "We knew the powerful wireless solutions provided by BelAir Networks were the right solution. The BelAir100s and 200s can be deployed immediately in any kind of outdoor environment and can withstand the elements while delivering rock solid performance."
"We were pleased to be able to help the Cave Creek firefighters with a fast and reliable wireless network," stated Phil Belanger, Vice-President of Marketing, BelAir Networks. "We have a responsibility to the communities in which we work and we were proud to work with NAS Wireless to support the firefighters."
During the week long operation, the BelAir wireless network supported over 90 simultaneous users and delivered consistent broadband local communication and Internet access. The team members used the network to exchange critical files used to manage the firefighting operation, communicate with each other, and with their families. Crew chiefs were also able to use the network to maintain administration functions including payroll.
