Fiber optics help city weather storms

PALM BAY — Not long after hurricane winds cut off emergency communications between city buildings in 2004, municipal leaders began considering the alternatives to systems based on old-fashioned copper-wire connections.

The answer was a fiber optic network that is easier to maintain, more redundant and, as an added bonus, allows for faster data transfers and less electromagnetic interference, said Mike Maier, the city of Palm Bay’s chief information officer.

“I wasn’t here during the hurricanes but I understand we totally lost everything,” he said. “Now we’re trying to bring Palm Bay up to the technological edge. We wanted a campus-like network.”

So far, nearly 11.5 miles of fiber optic cable has been installed by city crews to link City Hall with the city’s Emergency Operations Center, located off Emerson Drive near Liberty Park.

Next on the upgrade list is the link between City Hall with the Public Works facility and Recreation Department facility at 1150 DeGroodt Road, he said.
If storms should strike, the new system should be quicker to repair, said network manager Lisa Morrell.

“We’ll be able to send our own crews to fix whatever problem comes up,” she said.

An open house sponsored by the city of Palm Bay’s information and innovations department to show the fiber optic system will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the city’s Emergency Operations Center, 899 Carlyle Ave., SE.

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061205/NEWS0302/61205016