Forest worker felling oak. Photo: Forestry Commission.

[Via Satellite 02-08-2016] The Forestry Commission in England and Scotland has agreed to deploy 550 Globalstar Spot Gen3 messengers under a new sales and support contract with Global Telesat Communications (GTC). The organization is using satellite to improve the safety of its staff when working in areas with unreliable mobile phone and radio communications. Of the 550 devices, the Forestry Commission already deployed the first 200 units nationwide, and intends to deploy the remainder over the next 12 months.

In an emergency situation, lone workers can press a button on the Spot Gen3 to alert emergency services via the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Centre (IERCC). The device uses Globalstar’s satellite network for communications, even in remote regions. A built-in tracking feature can help locate forestry staff if there is an incident and they are unable to press the emergency button. The Spot Gen3 can also be preconfigured to send location data to a central coordinator every 2.5, 5, 10, 30 or 60 minutes, provided the device is moving.