Gigaclear, the prominent full fibre broadband provider, has extended a helping hand to the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) in Beachley, Gloucestershire, by granting their station community hub status. This move is set to significantly enhance emergency response operations carried out by the volunteer members of SARA.
SARA Beachley plays a crucial role in responding to emergency callouts from agencies like the coastguard and police. Their operations involve deploying two inshore lifeboats, a land search team, a cliff rescue team, and a flood rescue team, making their access to quick and reliable internet services vital for mission success. They often rely on tracking their rescue teams via GPS-enabled radios or, when operating on the river, through the automatic identification system for shipping.
Ian Pilling, the operations room co-ordinator at SARA Beachley, emphasized the importance of a fast and reliable full fibre broadband service in their operations. He described it as an essential part of their safety measures, providing the operations room with an extra set of eyes to monitor incidents in real-time.
Prior to Gigaclear’s intervention, SARA Beachley struggled with slow and costly broadband access, primarily relying on mobile phone hotspots. Thanks to Gigaclear’s high-speed and dependable full fibre broadband, they can now access online systems more swiftly. This has not only improved their operational efficiency but has also contributed significantly to the safety and effectiveness of their rescue missions.
