First appearance on Fox: SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk is providing Wi-Fi support to people in California, where devastating wildfires have left residents without internet or cell phone service. Donating Starlinks.
Gray Bull Rescue, a nonprofit rescue group, met with Musk and other first responders over the weekend to help install Starlink devices that connect to satellites in the Los Angeles area.
“Effective communication is essential in any crisis, war, or disaster, especially in remote and devastated areas where communication infrastructure has been destroyed, as we see here in California,” said Gray Bull Rescue Commissioner. Chief Brian Stern told FOX News Digital in a statement Monday. “Yesterday, Gray Bull Rescue was honored to assist the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD) by securing a Starlink mini-unit that will provide critical communications in areas ravaged by wildfires.”
But Stern said the LACFD and other emergency services agencies in California have “explicitly envisioned this type of scenario and have asked Starlink for quite some time,” but that the paperwork is “not effective for effective disaster communication.” “We've been getting in the way of this mission-critical need.” For first responders. ”
Help those affected by the California wildfires here
Elon Musk personally delivered MinisterLinks to first responders and volunteers in California on January 12th. (Rescuing the Gray Bull)
Musk announced his donation to Starlink on January 9th. On Sunday, the billionaire Tesla founder and CEO said he would also donate Cybertrucks to affected areas.
“I would like to apologize to those who were scheduled to take delivery of their Cybertruck in California over the next few days,” he wrote about his X. “These trucks will need to be used as mobile base stations to power Starlink Internet terminals in areas of Los Angeles that don't have connectivity. New trucks will be delivered over the weekend.”
Los Angeles area residents need phone numbers and how to get help.
Elon Musk announced he would be donating Starlink in a January 9th post about X. (Rescuing the Gray Bull)
Gray Bull Rescue said LACFD requested assistance regarding a “mission-critical gap” in the internet.
“This is where the private sector's greatest power comes into play: SPEED.”
”[Six] Hours later, through Gray Bull Rescue, the problem was resolved by Starlink, the gold standard in rigorous environmental communications,” Stern said. “When Elon Musk heard about the need, he then contacted Gray Bull Rescue. I visited LACFD's transit points, and personally visited them as well.'' He also delivered hundreds of Starlink Minis, demonstrating his commitment to supporting rescue efforts. ”
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Gray Bull Rescue said LACFD requested assistance regarding a “mission-critical gap” in the internet. (Rescuing the Gray Bull)
Gray Bull Rescue volunteers rely on Starlink Internet for their work in “the most communication-denied environments in the world,” Stern said.
Musk also spoke to the western North Carolina area after Hurricane Helen left power outages and internet unavailable for days in late September, making it difficult for survivors to contact first responders and loved ones. Donated a large number of Starlinks.
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Gray Bull Rescue volunteers rely on Starlink Internet during their missions in “the most communication-denied environments in the world,” Stern said. (Rescuing the Gray Bull)
“In addition to improving connectivity for first responders, Gray Bull Rescue teams have been on the ground ever since. [day one] “We are mitigating wildfire damage, working with first responders to help people evacuate safely, and delivering critical humanitarian aid,” explained the Gray Bull Rescue chairman.
“In moments like these, every action, every moment matters. We are committed to helping in every way possible to support those affected by this devastating disaster. .”
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Wildfires that have been burning in Southern California for a week have reduced entire neighborhoods to ashes and killed at least 24 people. As of Monday, there were three wildfires burning in Los Angeles County: the Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire, and the Hearst Fire.
