June 14, 2004
The Challenges of IT

Keeping the communications infrastructure at the Forest Rescue Station running is a challenge. We're in pretty good shape with a long range cell phone providing telephone service and a satellite based email system, which allows us to keep getting the word out, and keeping in touch with our friends and families.

We do run into problems sometimes. All of our equipment is being run on solar, so when the sun disappears, we only have a certain amount of power to depend on. During our second week here, the sun went into hiding for several days, and we came dangerously close to losing power all together. On top of that, it rained for several days, and water got into the most unexpected places. We actually found the battery charger twisting around in a puddle of water, its fan acting like a propeller!

Luckily for us, Khaos was on the scene. Having never worked with her before, I had no idea what to expect. She showed up at the beginning of the camp, introduced herself as a communications geek and commented knowledgeably on certain obscure aspects of the camp antenna installation. Right away I saw she was a woman of consequence. It reminded me of the early days in Greenpeace, when a person turns up at the exact time their skills are needed.

Thankfully, there are no more batteries fluttering around puddles, and we're back to work.

Richard Dillman