[Satellite Today 05-22-09] In preparation for hurricane season, Iridium Satellite has commenced its third annual "Test Your Satellite Phone" initiative, in partnership with The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International, Iridium announced May 21.
   Iridium said the goal of the initiative is to encourage emergency workers and first responders to prepare now to ensure that their satellite phone works properly for emergency situations.
   The “Test Your Satellite Phone” program is timed to coincide with the U.S. National Weather Service‘s “National Hurricane Preparedness Week,” from May 24-30, Iridium said.
   “[The satellite phone] is only with reliable communications tools and training that public-safety personnel can focus on their first priority of helping the communities they have vowed to support,” said APCO International executive director George Rice Jr., in a statement.