By Mary Owen
When the earth shook in Haiti, Bob Collier knew he had been right in creating a solution to communicating in emergencies.
“It’s a great feeling to be helping people in their time of need,” said Collier, a retired electrician and owner/builder of Rapid Response Communication Trailers in Stayton.
Three years ago, after windstorms knocked out power – and communications capabilities – on the Oregon coast, Collier got to thinking, “There has to be a better way these people can communicate.”
His answer?
Custom-designed trailers, from 8-foot pull trailers to 40-foot fifth wheels, tailored to provide rapid, reliable service in any emergency situation.
“You can roll these on-site and see your communication infrastructure online within three to five minutes,” Collier said. “They’re all sling-loaded, ready to be transported by helicopter or pulled by a truck.”
The rapid-response communications trailers can connect a single or network of computers at high speed via a hi-tech satellite system. He uses the Ground Control TOUGHSAT MSST series Mobile Satellite Internet Systems built for rugged applications and designed for rapid set-up and ease of use by even the most technically challenged, he said.
“One button starts the generator and as soon as that starts, another deploys the satellite dish on the roof and locks onto a satellite within minutes,” he said.
Add tents carried inside the trailer and set up as auxiliary space, and Collier said, “You have a completely turn-key unit, ready to go for any type of disaster that might come along. Our goal is to provide the equipment and services required in those critical times.”
Colliers creations are designed with firefighters, rescue workers, medical personnel and other emergency service providers in mind.
“I can customize the inside with everything from a small kitchen to a desk for a bank of computers to an operating table or medical lab,” he said. “I can even put in a restroom.”
Collier’s trailers have heat and air conditioning, roof vents, a 4500-watt Generac propane generator, electrical outlets, Ethernet outlets, propane tanks and other standard equipment. All use propane gas and have solar-powered batteries.
“Propane doesn’t have to be stirred like regular gasoline or diesel that has been sitting a long time,” he said. “And I install a solar battery so that the generator will always start.”
The trailers have “lots of redundancies because of you want to use it for emergencies, you want to make sure it’s going to work,” he said.
Collier said the Oregon Judicial Department and Malheur County Sheriff’s Department has this “reliable emergency system in place should an earthquake rock Oregon.”
“Law enforcement agencies, hospitals, power companies and other government jurisdictions should have systems like this in place so they can immediately and effectively save lives after a large-scale emergency,” he added.
Collier, who sold three trailers last year, also rents them from his shop at 1740 Shaff Road. He also installs satellite systems on existing emergency trailers, having outfitted two Oregon State HazMat trailers and eBay’s command communications trailer at its headquarters in San Jose, Calif.
“These trailers don’t require any maintenance, and we can build one to be pulled by any vehicle,” Collier said. “My goal is to get people communications when all others go down and have a comfortable environment for you to conduct business in the worst possible environmental conditions.”
Collier said he will provide a demonstration trailer by appointment to any event. For information, call 503-278-7651 or visit www.rrctrailers.com.
