The Hatteras Island Community Emergency Response Team (HI CERT) announced on Thursday that the nonprofit organization’s Starlink system has been set up behind the Avon medical center, and will remain on in case of future communications outages and other emergencies.
“You can park in the lot behind the medical center for use,” stated HI CERT in the announcement. “The network is named Cahacert, there is no password. Please make a note of the location, and feel free to use it!”
The medical center, officially named Outer Banks Health Family Medicine, is located at 40894 N.C. Highway 12.
HI CERT received a $26,900 grant in 2023 to purchase three Starlink satellite internet systems, but the small nonprofit organization that operates on donations alone did not have the funds to keep all three systems up and running year-round, which is an estimated cost of $495 per month.
Now that the Avon system is up and running, HI CERT’s other Starlink systems can be toggled on and off as needed when power and/or internet are down.
Ensuring emergency internet access and cell phone service on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands has become a priority for multiple groups, due to sporadic outages that occur when the fiber cable that links communications to the islands is cut.
In early April, Brightspeed – which owns the cable – relocated an 800-foot-long section of cable near the Pea Island Visitor Center from the oceanside to the soundside of N.C. Highway 12. This was a region that was especially susceptible to cable damage, as North Carolina Department of Transportation crews and contractors routinely perform dune and road maintenance in the area after most storms.
“The relocation [also] included boring to a depth of 10 feet to ensure the lines won’t be disturbed by DOT work. However, more of our network in the area is still vulnerable to damage,” aid Gene Rodriguez Miller, Public Relations Director for Brightspeed, in an email to SamWalkerOBXNews.com and Island Free Press.
“Simultaneously, we have submitted for a 5-year easement permit for our fiber network currently on the east side of the road,” said Miller. “Knowing that we want to eventually move our network to the safer, west side of the road, we also submitted a 50-year easement permit for permanent placement of our fiber network on the west side. These easements are required before we can move forward. We submitted for both of these easement permits late last year and are awaiting review and approval.”
As for emergency 911 access, in 2024, Dare County Emergency Management partnered with all six Hatteras Island fire departments to install Compact Rapid Deployable (CRD) devices that can connect to 911 when there’s an outage.
As a result of this initiative, when an outage occurs, residents and visitors are advised to try texting to 911, and to head to their nearest fire department or EMS Station if the 911 call/text does not go through.
“Before the CRDs, you had to get to a station and ask a first responder to provide help or call Dare Central using a radio,” said Drew Pearson, Dare County Emergency Management Director, in an email to Island Free Press. “Now when the CRDs are deployed and operating, each one has a cellular coverage range of up to two miles. That means 911 callers should have cell service access for about two miles around each CRD location. The coverage and signal strength does improve the closer you get to a CRD.”
Click here for a map of CRD locations and estimated coverage areas.
In addition to the CRDs, the Frisco Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) has a Starlink communications station set up during these outages, which the public is welcome to connect to after requesting a password from Frisco VFD members. The Avon VFD is also in the final planning stages of managing its own Starlink station, which will be up and running in the very near future.
On Ocracoke Island, Tekniam modules are located at the Hyde County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocracoke Community Center, the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department, and at the Harborside Motel. When an outage occurs, islanders can go to any of these sites for emergency internet access.
While residents and organizations push for a more reliable connection through satellite-based backhaul capability and the installation of a submarine fiber network from Ocracoke to mainland North Carolina, islanders now have multiple places to go if a future outage occurs and emergency communications are needed.
About HI CERT and how to help
Founded in 2011 after Hurricane Irene, this non-profit organization has an all-volunteer team that jumps into action in the immediate aftermath of a hurricane or other emergency situation on Hatteras Island.
Folks who want to donate to HI CERT to help fund the organization’s goal of expanding emergency internet access can reach out to HI CERT via email at hatterascert@gmail.com or connect with the non-profit organization on their Facebook page.
Donations can also be mailed to:
HI CERT
PO Box 35
Avon, NC 27915
I think everyone needs a Starlink here on the beach. It’s hard to rely on Spectrum!