Team Rubicon volunteers in action
Inmarsat is teaming up with a charity that pairs the skills and experience of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams around the world.
Volunteers with Team Rubicon UK support relief efforts wherever and whenever natural disasters strike. By partnering with Inmarsat, the charity will be able to deploy them with essential satellite communications equipment – BGAN terminals for broadband connectivity to coordinate relief efforts and IsatPhone 2 handheld satellite phones, not only to keep the teams safe and in touch with base operations back in the UK, but also to provide a vital lifeline for those affected by disaster to contact loved ones.
Team Rubicon UK was established after a team of armed forces veterans came together to help victims of the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal in April 2015. Since then, the charity has been on the ground following Hurricane Matthew in Haiti, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Ecuador, severe flooding in the US and storm damage and flooding in the UK.
Inmarsat’s support will extend to longer-term as well as emergency satcoms support, to help the rebuilding of damaged communities. The company will also deploy its engineers alongside the Team Rubicon UK volunteers.
Del Ashley, Director, Solutions Engineering, Inmarsat Enterprise is travelling to Nepal tomorrow to spend one week with Team Rubicon UK as they work on reconstruction projects.
“We are pleased to support Team Rubicon UK with satellite communications equipment for use in deployments around the world,” said Paul Gudonis, President of Inmarsat Enterprise.
“We have extensive experience of working with first responders during natural disasters, and by sending our engineers to work alongside the charity we will improve our ability to respond to the needs of organisations performing humanitarian work globally.
“As a former soldier, I also recognise the importance of Team Rubicon UK’s work with military veterans – to help put their skills and experience to good use, and maintain a sense of purpose, community and self-worth.”
John Leach, CEO of Team Rubicon UK, said: “Team Rubicon UK are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Inmarsat. Communications are core to the successful delivery of aid and support to remote communities following disasters where, most often, the infrastructure has been completely overwhelmed. It is also an essential element of keeping in touch with our volunteers on the ground and supporting their response and their own safety.
“Technology is constantly evolving and we firmly believe that this partnership will make a significant positive impact on communities around the world when they are facing their toughest times.”
