Tidal Basin Starlink

Tidal Basin deploys Starlink satellite systems for disaster communication, offering setup, support, tracking, and logistics for state-owned units.

Emergency Management Communication Solutions Starlink Satellite Internet Connectivity

Preparedness

In today’s rapidly changing environment, effective communication during emergencies is more important than ever. Access to reliable internet connectivity is an essential lifeline. Tidal Basin can deploy Starlink satellite communication systems to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to areas where traditional systems are unavailable.

Response

Recovery

Mitigation

Key Features of Starlink • Global Coverage: Starlink’s satellite constellation offers extensive coverage across urban and rural areas, providing

Communication & Logistics Solutions Tidal Basin has pre- and post-disaster deployment teams ready at a moment’s notice for Starlink satellite communication systems, providing stand-alone internet access points for survivors of a disaster. Our services include: • Managing warehouse inventory, and scheduling delivery and set up of units to field locations upon request • Technical support, troubleshooting, and ongoing maintenance during deployment • Identifying and resolving warranty-related repairs or defects by submitting and tracking all warranty calls to resolution directly through Starlink • Tracking the location and point of contact of each unit to maintain accountability • As the operation begins to downsize and/or demobilize, we pick up units from the field, check them for damage or problems, make repairs where applicable, and return the units to inventory. All units are palletized and returned to the appropriate storage location (typically a warehouse) and a full inventory is provided to the client • Logistics support including coordination of CONUS and OCONUS transport and shipping • Routine equipment readiness checks and software updates

reliable internet access to support emergency response teams and communities in need

• Rapid Deployment: Quickly deployed in disaster zones, enabling first responders to establish communication lines in minutes rather than hours or days. During Hurricane Ian, which made landfall on September 28, 2022, Tidal Basin procured 1,277 units to arrive at the staging area on October 3, ready for field deployment • High-Speed Connectivity: Internet speeds that can keep up with the demands of emergency management operations, from real-time updates to video conferencing capabilities • Robust Performance: Designed to perform in adverse weather conditions, providing consistent connectivity when traditional communication networks fail • Improved Public Safety: Communities can receive critical alerts and updates, reducing confusion and enhancing the safety of residents during emergencies • Flexible, Cost-Effective Solutions: Reduces the reliance on expensive traditional infrastructure, providing a flexible solution that supports various emergency management needs

We deployed 140 Starlink satellite communications units for Hurricane Idalia

Be stronger than before

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Demonstrated Starlink Experience

Tidal Basin provides exceptional Starlink communication systems support and expertise for states, counties, and governments. Our experience includes the following:

Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Hurricane Ian Starlink Deployment Disaster Type: Category 4 Hurricane On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian, the first Category 4 hurricane to impact Southwest Florida since Charley in 2004,

became the deadliest hurricane to strike Florida since the 1935 Labor Day hurricane – causing 157 fatalities, with 146 of those in Florida. Tidal Basin supported FDEM with program management, deployment and demobilization, technical support, business analysis, user acceptance testing, inventory management, and logistics management of critical communications systems in Southwest Florida. The project’s goal was to provide internet and cellular communications to the government, essential businesses, and the public in locations where infrastructure had been impacted or destroyed. Public Hotspot Locations

We deployed Information Technology (IT) Help Desk staff and satellite communications equipment to 20 locations to create public hotspot communications sites in Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Pine Island, and Bokeelia. Hotspots provided a critical lifeline for residents, visitors, and workers in heavily impacted areas by providing internet and cell phone communications, enabling the public to communicate with friends and family, insurance agencies, FEMA, and contractors. We staffed each public hotspot 7 days a week to assist community members with accessing and navigating the

internet and provided technical assistance for the Starlink units. Essential Business Communications

Tidal Basin mobilized and deployed over 600 satellite communications units to governments and essential businesses throughout Southwest Florida. We delivered and set up units, provided IT technical support, and tracked and maintained inventory of the units.

Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Hurricane Idalia Starlink Deployment Disaster Type: Category 3 Hurricane On August 30, 2023, Hurricane Idalia made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in the Big Bend Region of Florida. Communications systems were damaged or destroyed in the impacted area.

Tidal Basin supported FDEM with program management, deployment and demobilization, technical support, inventory management, and logistics management of the State’s Starlink communications systems. The goal of the project was to provide internet and cellular communications to government, infrastructure companies, and first responders. Tidal Basin mobilized and deployed approximately 140 satellite communications units throughout the Big Bend Region. During the response, we delivered and set up units, provided IT technical support, and tracked and maintained inventory of the units. The status of all requests was documented in WebEOC. We also mobilized units from the State Logistics Resource Center (SLRC) in Orlando to Gainesville and transported units back to SLRC following the response; and we completed a full inventory of all FDEM Starlink systems and ensured units were palletized and stored appropriately at the SLRC.

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) Maui Fires Starlink Deployment Disaster Type: Wildfire On August 8, 2023, multiple brush fires ignited in Pūlehu- Kīhei, Kula, and Lahaina on the Island of Maui. In the early morning hours, strong winds pushed flames through

Hurricane Ian We provided technical support and monitoring to over 15 K users at hotspot And purchased 1277 Starlink units for the State of Florida locations and deployed sites

Lahaina, destroying the town. Tidal Basin deployed to Oahu and procured and mobilized satellite communications to support response efforts in Maui. Tidal Basin continues to support the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) with program management and technical support of Starlink communications units. In addition, our team provides logistics support for the project, including coordination of transport and shipping between the mainland and Oahu, as well as interisland transport.

Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Hurricane Debby Starlink Deployment Disaster Type: Category 1 Hurricane

Hurricane Debby made landfall on August 5, 2024, as a Category 1 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend area, causing significant damage to the area’s communications infrastructure. Tidal Basin deployed its Starlink team to provide internet and cellular communications equipment to the government, essential businesses, and the public in locations. We mobilized and deployed approximately 550 satellite communications units throughout the state, supporting response efforts from points of distribution in Orlando and Tallahassee. During the response, the team delivered and set up units, provided IT technical support, and tracked and maintained inventory of the units using FDEM’s WebEOC tracking dashboard. State Logistics Resource Center Coordination To improve delivery timeliness, we mobilized units from the State Logistics Resource Center (SLRC) in Orlando and transported those to Tallahassee, operating two points of distribution, and transported units back to SLRC following the response. In addition, the team performed system functionality checks and deployed units to Emergency Operations Centers located in each of Florida’s 67 counties in preparation for future storms. We completed a full inventory of all Starlinks belonging to FDEM, ensuring resource accountability, and carefully palletized and stored the systems in the Orlando SLRC for immediate use should an incident occur.

Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) FDEM ESF-2 Hurricanes Helene & Milton Starlink Deployment Category 4 Hurricane Helene & Category 3 Hurricane Milton

On September 29, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall as the strongest storm to strike the Big Bend region of Florida. Our team of expert tech support and logistics specialists was on the ground prior to landfall , prepared to provide Starlink communications immediately after the weather subsided. We rushed Starlink units to impacted counties supporting Emergency (continued on next page)

Hurricanes Helene & Milton Starlink Deployment (continued)

Operations Centers, Multi-Agency Resource Centers, law enforcement, and other operations and recovery functions. The Second Hurricane Hits Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene, and in the middle of our Starlink deployment operations, Hurricane Milton hit the west coast of Florida as a dangerous Category 3 major storm on October 9, 2024. In preparation for the storm, FDEM trusted our logisticians to formulate a plan to quickly transport the bulk of the State’s remaining inventory in the path of Milton from the State Logistics Resource Center (SLRC) in Orlando, to Lehigh Acres, Florida, 150 miles south. This move ensured the protection and availability of additional resources, playing a key role in the ability to surge telecommunications capabilities. After Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, the demand for reliable high-speed internet connectivity skyrocketed due to back-to-back major storm impacts on the state. Operation Blue Ridge Support

For more information on our program support, visit our website.

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The impact of Hurricane Helene was felt well beyond the State of Florida. With devastating rainfall and flooding occurring in multiple states, the Governor of Florida pledged Starlink systems to help restore communications in isolated areas of North Carolina and Tennessee. The Tidal Basin team in Orlando launched into action to function check, download updates, and palletize 100+ units in a single day and have them ready for

transportation to support Operation Blue Ridge. Experts from Tidal Basin worked with teams on the ground in North Carolina to activate account subscriptions for each unit and provide on-call technical support. Demobilization and Future Preparation Prior to demobilization, the Tidal Basin performed quality control and system testing on 400 new units purchased by FDEM to bolster the state inventory delivered to the temporary staging area. After the integration of the new units, the demobilization team continued collecting deactivated systems, managing inventory, and transporting systems to the two respective staging areas in Orlando and Tallahassee while keeping units at the ready in 67 counties in preparation for future operations.

Staffing Continuity When facilitating Starlink management, Tidal Basin deploys the same staff as often as possible. This ensures continuity in our response and allows us to lean on the experience and knowledge built by these team members from previous deployments. Many of the experts who deploy for Starlink are the same team members who were on the first deployment for Hurricane Ian, building the program from the ground up. Our team members have varied backgrounds including emergency management, public safety/first responders, and information technology experts.

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