Contact: Cari Lambrecht Contact: Claire Ashton,

Hidalgo County Public Communications

Information Officer Director/Project
cari.lambrecht@hidalgocountyjudge.com Coordinator
Office: (956) 318-2600 Texas Association of
Cell: (956) 720-5626 Local Health Officials
Fax: (956) 318-2699 (512) 528-9691 phone
www.co.hidalgo.tx.us (512) 528-9689 fax
Twitter: @HidalgoCoPIO cashton@talho.org

December 11, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HIDALGO COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

DEPARTMENT TO UNVEIL STATE-OF-THE-ART
COMMUNICATIONS AND RESPONSE TRAILER
Edinburg, TX — The Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department is pleased to
announce the arrival of its new state-of-the-art Communication and Response Trailer designed
to enhance local public health emergency preparedness efforts throughout the State of Texas.

The unit was designed by engineers at the non-profit Texas Association of Local Health Officials
(TALHO), based out of Cedar Park, TX. TALHO began design plans earlier this year for an
initial production round of five Communication and Response Trailers. The trailer arrived in
Edinburg during mid-November 2009, and it will be fully functional on December 14, after county
officials undergo technical training to gain expertise on the unit’s leading-edge technology.

The media is invited to attend a tour and demonstration of the trailer at 2:00 p.m. on
Monday, December 14, 2009, at the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services
Administrative Offices located at 1304 S. 25th St (U.S. Hwy 281 frontage road just north of
Freddy Gonzalez) in Edinburg.

Powered by both traditional and renewable energy sources, Hidalgo County’s Communication
and Response Trailer implements both advanced communication infrastructure in emergency
situations and a mobile means of serving local public health as a point-of-distribution for
vaccines and supplies.

Should communications be disrupted or damaged in the area by, for example, a hurricane, the
Communication and Response Trailer is able to maintain incoming and outgoing telephone
functionality, provide videoconferencing capabilities and data services including Internet, email
and web applications.

“Maintaining lines of communications is critical during any type of emergency, whether it’s
severe weather or a public health crisis. This will allow first responders to coordinate a response
in the most difficult of situations and not be constrained by the necessity of offices or even
electricity. We are incredibly fortunate to be the recipient of this technology that will help us to
better serve and protect the residents of this county,” said Eduardo Olivarez, Chief
Administrative Officer for the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department.
For ease-of-use in any scenario, the Communications and Response Trailer utilizes a multitude
of power-sources: AC power, a propane generator, renewable energy including solar panels
and a wind generator, and state-of-the-art lithium iron phosphate rechargeable batteries with a
well-above average lifespan and power storage capacity. TALHO engineers incorporated low-
power consumption lighting and multiple-power sources to extend usage life in crisis situations.

“TALHO conceptualized the Communication and Response Trailer with sustainability in mind,
incorporating a variety of communication options, advanced technology, and renewable power,”
said Jason Phipps, TALHO’s Chief Technology Officer.

“TALHO has always used technology to enhance public health and the Communication and
Response Trailer is one of our contributions to the preparedness efforts that local officials have
worked so diligently to strengthen,” said Lee Lane, the organization’s executive director.

The trailer was purchased with Community Preparedness Bioterrorism Discretionary funds
through the Texas Department of Health and Center of Disease Control.

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www.co.hidalgo.tx.us
www.twitter.com/HidalgoCoPIO