DALLAS, Aug. 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC), an all-volunteer organization who connect communities in crisis, today announced that ITDRC has deployed a mobile field network and team of technical volunteers to Ukiah, California to establish reliable network connectivity for firefighting teams combating the Mendocino Complex Fire and people forced to evacuate.

“We’re here because the community needs help,” said Joe Hillis, who is operations director for ITDRC and currently deployed in Ukiah. “Thanks to our partners and dedicated volunteers, we were able to react and mobilize quickly to provide much-needed support for these brave fire fighters and survivors.”

The Mendocino Complex Fire is the largest wildfire in California’s history, and involves more than 3,500 fire personnel, 400 fire engines and over 30 planes and helicopters. ITDRC, along with partners Cisco TacOps, Dish, and Sprint ERT, are supporting fire fighters in the Mendocino Complex Fire Camp near the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds in Ukiah, California.

ITDRC continues to provide connectivity to survivors living in temporary housing units at nearby Kyen Campground, after hundreds of families were displaced by last year’s Redwood Valley Fire.

Thanks to product and services donations from Cisco Meraki, Cradlepoint, Everbridge, Fortinet, and Ruckus, ITDRC’s mobile field network in Ukiah provides secure Wi-Fi access with advanced cybersecurity features to help protect responders online as well as charging units for mobile devices, laptops and satellite video programming for situational awareness.

ITDRC sponsor partners include companies such as: Cradlepoint, Dish Network (DishCARES), Fortinet, Google GOCART, HP Inc, HughesNet, Ruckus (an Arris company), ViaSat and many more. 

About ITDRC The Information Technology Disaster Resource Center is a nationwide, volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) with more than 1,000 credentialed technical professionals in 10 regions. ITDRC is a charter member of FEMA’s Tech Sector Collaboration program, and trusted partner to the technology and emergency management communities. In 2017 ITDRC volunteers logged more than 40,000 hours responding to 15 major disasters including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria; establishing 162 sites in 87 communities. To volunteer, sponsor or learn more, visit www.itdrc.org . Nationwide Disaster Response 866.217.5777

Review ITDRC’s 2017 Impact at: https://www.itdrc.org/2017AnnualReport

ITDRC Contact: Ronny Haraldsvik Public Affairs ronny@itdrc.org 831-224-5043

Press Contact: Matthew Zintel matthew.zintel@zintelpr.com 281-444-1590