Limpert Tech "SullyCast" on ALT 105.7 and iHeartRadio 5/22/21 - JR Luna, AT&T Hurricane Preparedness

Rick talks hurricane preparedness this week with JR Luna of AT&T.

Hurricane season starts June 1 and lasts until Nov. 30, with a peak in August and  September. AT&T is committed to keeping its customers and FirstNet subscribers connected during the upcoming hurricane season throughout the SE and up/down the East coast.

Have a listen to Rick and JR:

AT&T has spent more than 150,000 hours in the field over the last 25 years. We have invested more than $650 million in our Network Disaster Recovery program (NDR), making it one of the nation’s largest and most advanced. The teams stand ready to restore and maintain service if and when disaster strikes.  

Per AT&T:

How we prepare our network:
⦁    Boost network capacity to accommodate increased call volume.
⦁    Test the high-capacity backup batteries located at cell sites.
⦁    Stage extended battery life and portable generators and maintaining existing fixed generators.
⦁    Top off generators with fuel at cell sites and switching facilities.
⦁    Stage additional generators in safe locations for immediate deployment once a storm has passed.
⦁    Embed FirstNet liaisons from AT&T in state and federal emergency operations centers to help ensure first responders have the mobile connectivity and devices they need.

Response equipment we use in the wake of an event:
⦁    Mobile cell sites and mobile command centers, like Cell on Wheels (COWs) and Cell on Light Trucks (COLTs)
⦁    Emergency Communications Vehicles (ECVs)
⦁    Flying Cell on Wings (Flying COWs)
⦁    Drones
⦁    A self-sufficient base camp: It’s complete with sleeping tents, bathrooms, kitchen, laundry facilities, an on-site nurse and meals ready to eat (MREs).
⦁    Hazmat equipment and supplies
⦁    Technology and support trailers to provide infrastructure support and mobile heating ventilation and air conditioning
⦁    Internal and external resources for initial assessment and recovery efforts.


Consumer Tips / We encourage our customers and residents in areas potentially affected by a storm to prepare as well.
     
⦁    Save your smartphone’s battery life. In case of a power outage, extend your device’s battery life by putting it in power-save mode, turning off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, deleting apps, or putting your phone in Airplane Mode. This may prevent you from using certain features, but will ultimately save battery power.
⦁    Keep your mobile devices charged. Be sure to have another way to charge your smartphone if the power goes out.  
⦁    Keep your mobile devices dry. Mobile phones can be a critical lifeline during a storm. To protect yours, store it in a water-resistant case, floating waterproof case or plastic bag. A car charger or back-up battery pack can come in handy. If you have multiple devices to keep charged, consider a multi-port back-up battery pack.
⦁    Back up important information and protect vital documents. Back up insurance papers, medical information and the like to the Cloud or your computer. With cloud storage, you can access your data from any connected device.
⦁    Have a family communications plan. Choose someone out of the area as a central contact in case your family is separated. Most importantly, practice your emergency plan in advance.
⦁    Store emergency contacts in your mobile phone. Numbers should include the police department, fire station, hospital, and family members.
⦁    Forward your home number to your mobile number in the event of an evacuation. Because call forwarding is based out of the telephone central office, you will get calls from your landline phone even if your local telephone service is down.
⦁    Track the storm on your mobile device. If you lose power at your home during a storm, you can use your mobile device to access local weather reports.


FirstNet: And when thinking about hurricane preparedness, we know how critical communications are to rescue/recovery efforts.  That’s why we partnered with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) – an independent agency within the federal government – to deliver the FirstNet network to public safety. FirstNet gives first responders the unthrottled connectivity they need, no matter the emergency:

⦁    Priority & Preemption: In emergencies and disasters, commercial networks can quickly become congested. That’s why FirstNet is the only nationwide network that gives first responders always-on priority and preemption. It puts them at the front of the “communications line.”  

⦁    Greater Command & Control: Public safety agencies have access to a fleet of 76 dedicated mobile cell sites that link to FirstNet via satellite and do not rely on commercial power availability. Newly added  to the FirstNet disaster response arsenal in 2020: FirstNet One – an approximately 55-foot aerostat, more commonly known as a blimp. And, to give first responders greater command and control of their network, the FirstNet Response Operations Program aligns with the  ⦁    National Incident Management System  to better guide the deployment of these assets.

⦁    Enhanced Coverage and Capacity: We’ve also deployed FirstNet Band 14 spectrum across 700+ markets nationwide. Band 14 is nationwide, high-quality spectrum set aside by the U.S. government specifically for FirstNet. We refer to it as public safety’s VIP lane- during an emergency, this band can be cleared and locked just for FirstNet subscribers.

JR Luna is currently the Vice President & General Manager (VPGM) of the Florida market. He leads AT&T Communications and oversees network, distribution, and marketing across the state. JR has P&L responsibility for over $6B in revenue, serving 5 million customers.

Prior to his current role, JR led AT&T in San Diego & Las Vegas, where he and his team achieved record growth in Voice, TV, and Broadband products. JR also spearheaded Project Puente, a major cross-border initiative leveraging AT&T’s unique assets in the U.S. and Mexico.

Luna has held multiple leadership roles at AT&T, including Director of Sales in San Francisco, where he oversaw the successful opening of AT&T’s flagship store, 1 Powell. He also was a Director of Retail Execution overseeing all operational activities across a five-state territory.

JR holds a Bachelor’s Degree and an MBA. He is involved in his community as a volunteer with the American Heart Association and enjoys coaching at his local youth softball league.

Limpert Tech "SullyCast" on Radio 105.7 and iHeartRadio - Hurricanes and High Tech Food

How healthy do you eat?

Rick steps up to the plate this week, with some healthy food and some app tips for following and preparing for the hurricane season...

Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma.  It looks like a busy hurricane season

Rick has two apps here to make sure you are ready.... have a listen:

1. Hurricane by American Red Cross
 
This award-winning, free iOS and Android app not only tracks and forecasts the hurricanes, it also explains how to make and execute an emergency plan and how to use social media, text, or email to tell others you’re safe during and after a storm.

2. NOAA SuperRes Radar US by Shuksan Software

This iOS app is aimed at weather enthusiasts and boasts high resolution graphics four times more detailed than other apps as well as full text warnings from the National Weather Service.
Multiple map styles and different view options make this app a good one for serious trackers.
This third-party app is not an official platform of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the National Weather Service.
As with any app that relies on mapping software, these hurricane trackers should be used sparingly as maps can drain battery power quickly, which could be catastrophic in an emergency situation. Turn off when not in use.
In addition to SuperRes Level 2 radar, NOAA RadarUS+ offers access to 3 km hourly forecast radar and the following features:
- 3 and 6 day precipitation and pressure forecasts from NOAA weather models
- Temperature overlay
- Snow/mixed precipitation display (only on 1km base reflectivity radar layer)
- 7 day forecasts and current conditions -- just press and hold for a second on the radar map.
- Severe weather (flash flood, tornado, and severe thunderstorm) warnings. Tap on a warning box to display the full warning message from the National Weather Service. Note: these are *not* push alerts. The app must be open to view the warnings.
- Cloud cover and satellite imagery for the continental United States
- Advanced radar layers (echo tops, composite reflectivity, and storm total precipitation).
- Play, pause, and step animations
- Fast zoom in and zoom out
- Choice of radar palettes
 

Food you might want to have on hand for an event like a Hurricane....

1. EnergyBits

www.energybits.com

Throw away your energy drinks, gels, bars and supplements. ENERGYbits® are a more effective, nutritionally dense source of mental and physical energy that is all natural and causes no stomach distress. This plant-based fuel will supercharge your workouts, runs and athletic performance! ENERGY bits® increases endurance, mental alertness and energy are just a few of the many benefits you can expect when taking ENERGYbits® before work, work outs or have no time to cook. This high protein snack reduces hunger, cravings and the need for caffeine and is an eco-friendly, sustainable food crop. Feel the difference. Your brain and body will say thank you.  

 
2. Country Archer Meat Protein Bars

www.countryarcher.com

Meat based protein bars are the latest food trend and Country Archer makes brand new bars that are simply a cut above the rest. Perfect for game-time snacking. Country Archer’s Frontier bars are made to satisfy a healthy appetite. Packed with 20g of protein, these hand-crafted bars are made from grass fed beef, no hormone turkey and pork, NON-gmo, very low sugar, gluten free and soy free. Frontier bars come in three decadent flavors including Cayenne, Herb Citrus and Sweet bbq. Toss them in your bag or grab them on the go for a fresh, light and healthy snack.

3. Mio Energy Water Enhancers

www.makeitmio.com

Does not need refrigeration. See bottom for best by date. 1 squeeze (1/2 tsp) per 8 fl oz serving of water. Energy drinks you can take with you in your pocket.  Vitamins, electrolytes, etc

Make your MiO. Flip it. Unlock the flavor. Tip it. Each squeeze into water adds more flavor. Sip it. Your drink, your way. Click it twice to lock it tight
Contains 0g sugar.0% juice. 60mg caffeine/serving for energy
Each bottle makes 18 servings(8 ounce) - Available at your local supermarkets... Under $4
 

4. Instacart expands in Atlanta

www.instacart.com

Get all your favorite food delivered right to you door.  Majoe expansion in Metro Atlanta.
Instacart (www.Instacart.com), the fast-growing retail delivery service whose shoppers hand pick and deliver items from trusted local stores, announced today that it is expanding their service area in Atlanta to serve an additional 495K households beginning August 24, 2017.  Currently, Instacart covers over 1.1 million Atlanta-area households.
The expansion area will allow residents to shop from Publix, Whole Foods Market, Costco, Petco and CVS and have their groceries and everyday essentials delivered straight to their doorsteps in as little as one hour.
Instacart is excited to now be delivering to areas including:

Atlanta, Canton, Hapeville, Free Home, Allatoona, Atco, Emerson, Buffington, Avery, Woodstock, Southern Oaks, College Park, Mountain View, Braselton, Flowery Branch, Woodlake, Woodbridge, Chestnut Mountain, Oakwood, Hoschton, Sells, Conyers, Lake Capri, Zingara, Lakeview Estates, Stone Mountain, Pine Lake, Wilshire, Snellville, Centerville, Innsbrook West, Loganville, Youth, Windsor, Walnut Grove, Willow Wind, Lithonia, Redan, Swift Creek, Smoke Rise, Rockbridge, Mountain Park, Arbor Ridge, Austell, Mableton, Lithia Springs, Douglasville, Winston, Austell, Wesley Station, Smyrna, Anneewakee, Fairplay, Woods Valley, Fouts Mill, Doublegate, Bright Star, West Lake, McWhorter, Stewart Woods, Ridgeview Heights, Westwood Heights, Pineview, Walker Place, Kellogg, Ash, Villa Rica, Palmetto, Chattahoochee Hills, Fairburn, Union City, Campbellton, Slades Mill, Woodlands, Abide Awhile, West Forest, Panthersville, Snapfinger, Pointe Bleue, Willow Creek, Kings Row, Sheffield Woods, Woodstream, Hampton, Lovejoy, Jonesboro, Stockbridge, weybridge, McDonough, Whitehouse, Ola, Blacksville, Flippen, Forest Park, Morrow, Allendale Heights, Lake City, Ellenwood, Woodfield, Rex, Riverdale, Wexwood, Windhaven Plantation, Woodhaven Estates, Conley, Wishing Well Hills, Woodcrest, Fayetteville, Kenwood, Ashley Park, Westbridge, Winterthur Woods, Porters Ridge, Woolsey, Whitewater, Whipporwill Ridge, Wesley Park, Willow Bend, Irondale, Bonanza, Ansley Pointe, Newnan, East Newnan, Arnco Mills, West Newnan, Sargent, Wilsons Store, Woodsmoke, Yates, White Oak, Raymond, Peachtree City, Sharpsburg, Wood Valley Estates, Tyrone, West Road Acres, windermere Woods, Ashland Estates, Arbor West, Windy Hill Manor, Acworth, White Forest, Braswell, Dallas, Little Creek Farms, Westward Ho, Windmill Creek, Wilbanks Circle, Wood Valley, Westfork, Burnt Hickory Farms, Saddle Up Estates, Hartfield Acres, Arbor Walk, Winndale, Hartfield Estates, Hollyberry, Wildwood, Hiram, Powder Springs, Ashley Acres.