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A local company played a big role in helping set up the command operations center at the Stonebridge building at Natural Bridge Station, formerly Natural Bridge High School, during the effort to contain the Matts Creek fire.
According to a press release from the company, Virginia Technology Services LLC (VTS) was contacted by the building owner on the morning of Thursday, Nov. 16, to establish internet access and a Local Area Network for the firefighters’ COC.
The task was very demanding because it had to be completed that same day, a company spokesman noted.
“We need to have our COC by tomorrow morning, our crews are arriving, and we need to have everything ready for them,” the local company was informed.
With the assistance of Rockbridge Area Network Authority (RANA), fiber optic service with four dedicated Gigabit ports was installed. An additional requirement was to have four separate networks, each with their own internet access, based on the functions of the team members that the VTS team put in place.
Initial crews from the Forest Service were on site to coordinate where in the old school they would need internet access. This presented additional challenges since some locations didn’t have necessary wiring. Working through the day and into the night, VTS had the task completed by 11:30 p.m. Each location was tested, and everything was ready for the arrival of the crews from all over the country the following morning.
A command operations center is responsible for every aspect of operations during the incident duration: incident command (IC), plans (GIS information), logistics, supplies, ordering, communications (updates to local media and public at large), and medical assistance. As a result of the work provided by VTS, the public was able to have up-to-the-minute information about the status of the fire and the progress to contain it.
Virginia Technology Services was established in 2018 by merging two local technology companies, Rockbridge Global Village and Computer Doctor. VTS provides fiber and DSL wired and wireless internet access, VoIP telephone service, network installation, cyber security, computer repairs and sales, audio/visual installations, and managed technical support to Rockbridge area businesses and residences.
