The stellar level of emergency service provided to Eureka and Wildwood residents just improved within the 100-mile area it spans.
One company's managers truly know how important cellular reach is to emergency responders, and decided to donate their cellular signal boosting products and services to some of the most outstanding first responder agencies in rugged terrains. A Wilson Electronics mobile team is conducting the company's first-ever Giveback Tour to first responders in an eight-state region, and last week they made a notable stop in Eureka.
Eureka's Fire Search and Rescue team was one of four grand-prize winners on Wilson's Giveback Tour 2012 contest. In addition, the Eureka Fire Protection Department was a honorable mention winner in the contest.
Wilson Electronics makes cell phone signal boosters, which reduce dropped calls and improve data speeds. Emergency personnel in remote areas often have spotty cell coverage, making it difficult to maintain connectivity and that's where Wilson Electronics' equipment bridges the gaps.
This is an especially helpful problem-solving option for Eureka's mobile command center, a large van that's taken to a variety of accident sites in hilly areas with trees and valleys that block cell signals. One of Wilson's donated units will go inside this mobile emergency command center, and another will be placed at the Eureka's fire training center at 18765 Old Highway 66. The training center also is home of the Tri-County Training Consortium.
The Giveback Tour 2012 is donating signal boosting equipment to agencies along the tour route through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and Utah. Wilson Electronics is hosting the program in conjunction with Urgent Communications between Sept. 17 and Oct. 4.
Winning emergency response teams received a combination of professional signal booster kits for building use, wireless units, phone cradling units and other materials.
While in Eureka, Wilson's Mike Ebert said he and colleague Derek Solberg had traveled 1,900 miles. "We'll be on the road for three weeks to conduct about 10 stops."
Ebert said they are happy to be able to give back something to those people, such as the Eureka search and rescue team and firefighters, who go out on a moment's notice to help and save others.
“The purpose of Giveback Tour 2012 is to say ‘thank you’ to those men and women who daily are willing to put themselves in harm’s way to keep their communities safe and respond to emergencies,” said Jonathan Bacon, Wilson director of marketing.
Bacon said the goal of Giveback Tour 2012 is to help agencies stay connected in areas where previously they had weak or no cell signal.
The other three agencies being honored as grand prize winners during Giveback Tour 2012 are:
- Ennis Fire Department – Ennis, TX
- Welcome Home Fire Department – Marshall, AR
- Shelbina Fire Protection District – Shelbina, MO
