Crisis communications
An SFU-designed emergency communications vehicle was put to the test when forest fires threatened a rural BC community in 2004.

The vehicle, designed in SFU’s telematics lab by communications professor Peter Anderson’s research team, provided critical communications support for the provincial emergency program and office of the fire commissioner.

The vehicle is equipped with its own satellite dish, wireless Internet and phone capabilities. It can also vertically extend a remote camera up to 10 metres to capture images that might indicate fire damage or direction, or other information critical to hazard sites.

The vehicle is designed to provide advanced communication systems in any location damaged by a natural disaster. It will also enable researchers to test a variety of communication technologies in extreme and remote environments.

For more information:
SFU News article
SFU Telematics Research Lab
SFU School of Communication