Whether it’s an oil spill, a security concern or a weather issue — which is most often the case — it’s always a serious situation when our commercial ports are temporarily closed down.
It’s also a rare occurence. But the Southeast is moving into the heart of hurricane season.
With that in mind, the Georgia Ports Authority Wednesday unveiled its Mobile Command Center, a deployable unit from which the GPA can manage its entire operation.
Should a hurricane or any other disaster threaten, the unit ensures that data is safe and port operations can continue.
“With our location on the East Coast, we know it is important to be prepared for storms that might affect our operation,” said GPA executive director Curtis Foltz.
“Creating this command center through a partnership with our port police and information technology teams is one way we can assure our business partners that their information is safe and their cargo will continue to move in the most efficient way possible immediately after — and sometimes even during — an emergency situation.”
The 53-foot-long center consists of sections dedicated to security and IT, according to Bill Sutton, GPA’s director of information technology. There are three port police workstations and 11 general access workstations, along with the crucial computer systems required to resume operations in case of a disaster, he said.
“The mobile command center contains all of the information, records and capability required to operate the port remotely and securely,” Sutton said. “The value of this project really is piece of mind for GPA customers.”
For security, the center is equipped with cameras, computers and six Apex Radios connected to two Motorola MIP 500 dispatch consoles. Flat screen televisions display live footage from GPA’s security cameras.
Cameras located at the center’s entrance and on the roof allow for 360-degree surveillance of the immediate surroundings.
In the event of a natural disaster or other emergency, the command center will be a critical link to restarting service and avoiding delays in cargo movement, Sutton said.
The command center cost just over $1.5 million and was paid for in part through port security grants funded by the Department of Homeland Security. Federal money covered 75 percent of the project and the GPA invested 25 percent. The ports also invested additional funds in replicating the data center.
Built by Farber Specialty Vehicles, the center has shore-power hook-up but can also be operated by power produced from on-board generators. It is currently located at Georgia Ports’ Garden City Terminal but can be deployed anywhere, pulled by a standard over-the-road truck.
For GPA board chairman Bob Jepson, the mobile unit represents another facet of Georgia Port’s superior customer care.
“As our business continues to grow, it’s a priority of ours to protect it,” Jepson said. “This mobile unit ensures we can still provide efficient service despite an emergency situation.”