Communications mobility trailer stationed at the 171st ARW Published June 10, 2010 By Tech. Sgt. Todd McFeeley 171st Public Affairs April 2010 -- The state of Pennsylvania is the proud owner of a First Response Support Trailer (FRST), and the 171st Air Refueling Wing Communications Squadron has been selected to be the maintainer of this mobile package. If disaster strikes, causing power and communication lines to be lost, the FRST would be brought into use, and allows mobile communications to be set up within minutes of the trailer' s arrival on scene. The trailer is a complete command center consisting of: satellite, phone, radio and networking capability, as well as video conferencing capability. Upon the occurrence of a flood, blizzard or any other natural disaster, the trailer would be put into service for all communication needs, making it for any situation deemed necessary by the state. "If they needed a mobile network brought into their area to handle the disaster area, we could bring this type of trailer in here and run all the communications through our trailer," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Ball, 171st CS. Connection for the FRST would go through a trusted network by the Army, and if necessary can also connect through an un-trusted network as well. The FRST would be manned by a system administrator, network administrator and a radio/telephone technician. Multiple types of radio systems and cellular telephones can be joined together on different networks and patched through to each other. "One of the most important features is the communication aspect," said Ball. The trailer is stationed and maintained here on base. It is a state asset, and can be requested anywhere in Pennsylvania. The 171st CS continue training on the FRST to be prepared in assisting state emergency responders in a time of need.