Las Vegas, Nev., March 9, 2011 — As first responders attend IWCE in Las Vegas to discuss mission critical communications, Tait Radio Communications Chief Marketing Officer, James Kyd, has been sharing insights and lessons learned through its proximity to last month’s earthquake in Christchurch.

Although the Tait Christchurch facilities were not significantly impacted, it did give Tait some direct first-hand experience of how emergency services respond to a significant incident. Tait was even able to lend a hand to support the first responders with additional equipment and services.

“Our customers are public safety agencies, utilities and urban transport providers who plan for and get through incidents such as this,” added James. “Whether it’s power line workers restoring electricity in the Midwest after record-snowfall or whether it’s EMS, Fire and Police needing to collaborate after an earthquake in Christchurch, these customers are unlike other organizations in their response and communications needs. Critical communications to manage routine and emergency response is what they turn to Tait for.”

Tait customers such as New Zealand Police, New Zealand Fire, Land Search and Rescue and St John Ambulance Service were praised by the international community on their handling of the earthquake which affected certain parts of Christchurch. “Being so close to the rescue and recovery efforts, the reliability and relevance of Tait solutions were proven under extreme conditions.  This is why customers around the world choose Tait.   The disaster environment also demonstrated the value of some key solution areas we continue to invest in and develop such as Network Management, Situational Awareness and Open Standards-based systems” added James.

Here are some examples of how the solutions assisted with the recent rescue and recovery mission in Christchurch:

• The TaitNet trunked P25 system used by the police delivered reliable communications. Talk Groups were quickly reassigned – a benefit of the trunked P25 system and effective network management.
• TB9100 base stations performed well despite the power outages and spikes in traffic.
• Interoperability with visiting agencies such as New South Wales Police was readily accomplished. Their Motorola P25 radios worked exceptionally well with the Police’s Tait network and Tait P25 subscriber units.
• Fast programming of different vendor’s subscriber units with Tait Key Fill Devices also increased flexibility.
• Transportable chargers and spare batteries kept rescue workers on long shifts powered up and ready to communicate.
• Customised and durable analogue TP8100 portables used by NZ and by the Chinese Rescue teams provided accurate communications during the dangerous rescue operations.
• Tait TM8250 vehicle radios in several Mobile Command Centers helped the response co-ordination and situation management.
• Tait’s Christchurch facility includes short-turn manufacturing capability. This in-house resource allowed Tait to deliver hundreds of additional subscriber units within hours.
• Tait staff were out hand-delivering extra equipment, programming radios and setting up temporary base stations to boost coverage for a variety of agencies.

James Kyd concluded, “Even though our facilities in Christchurch were undamaged, we were heartened by all the good wishes from our international “family” of customers, partners and dealers. I reassure them that our customers were unaffected and our solutions and people were tested and proven during the kind of disaster which would not be wished on anyone, yet has to be prepared for.”

About Tait Radio Communications
Tait Radio Communications is a global leader in designing and delivering innovative, world-class radio communications solutions for a variety of industries, including public safety, utilities and urban transport providers. Now entering its fifth decade, the company has single-mindedly pursued the vision of its founder, Sir Angus Tait. He knew that people count, experience matters and integrity is paramount.

In over 150 countries and supported by an extensive network of global facilities, thousands of customers benefit from the Tait way of working: commitment to listen, courage to act and integrity to deliver what’s promised.

Tait’s North American Headquarters is located in Houston, TX.