Wireless sets to link ambulances during disasters

These Ultra High Frequency devices will not face similar network troubles during such times. 

“The portable device was already used during Cyclone Vardah and Kaanum Pongal. It was also used at the recent Defence Expo held on East Coast Road. Following on the encouraging outcome, the initiative was rolled out in Tirunelveli during NellaiapparKumbabishekam and Madurai Chithirai festival,” said P Uma Maheswari, project director, TNHSP. 

This initiative would enable effective communication when the existing mobile networks are down. Officials pointed out that the public and those engaged in rescue operations during disasters can approach police, district administration or ambulance staff at the site for immediate dissemination of information through the wireless system.

“This comes with a base unit which will be connected to individual handsets that can provide seamless communication in a radius of two to five km. All the ambulances at the site will be connected through this network and it can be established in less than 10 minutes as all the devices will be already configured to a particular frequency,” said an official.

The initiative by TNHSP for emergency medical services will bring significant changes, she added. When contacted by Dt Next, J Radhakrishnan, state health secretary, said: “This is a part of a redundancy plan and efforts are on to make it replicable and scalable.”