A regional radio network and a messaging system for disaster response, built to keep working when local power, phone and internet service go down.
Why it exists
When a major disaster hits the Mid-Atlantic, cell towers go offline, power fails and the internet goes with them, right when responders need them most.
RIN was built for that. Both of its layers are designed to keep working in the conditions that take everything else down.
Radio network
Linked radio sites across the region connect emergency communicators, relief organizations and incident command teams across county and state lines, including agencies whose own radios can't talk to each other.
- Links agencies and field teams across the region
- Connects radio systems that aren't otherwise compatible
- Supports incident command and relief coordination
Messaging
Responding organizations and first responders can send structured text messages, like situation reports, resource requests and status updates, without relying on local internet or cell service.
Messages are stored and forwarded. If there's no path to the recipient yet, the network holds the message and sends it when one opens up.
- SITREPs, resource requests and status updates
- Store-and-forward delivery
- Works with standard emergency message formats
Built for the worst case
Most communication systems are designed for normal conditions. RIN is designed for the day when power, cell service and the internet are all down.
No grid power
Batteries with solar recharging keep sites running for days to weeks.
More than one path
Sites connect over several independent links. If one goes down, traffic takes another.
No single provider
RIN doesn't depend on any one phone, cell or internet provider.
Made for this region
Hurricane remnants, nor'easters, river and flash flooding, ice storms and aging power infrastructure all hit the Mid-Atlantic, often with little warning.
A hurricane on the Delaware coast, a long nor'easter across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, or a widespread power failure across several states: RIN is built to stay up through all of them. The equipment is in place and tested before anything happens.
Who it's for
Emergency management
County and state agencies that need interoperable communications during declared disasters.
VOADs and nonprofits
Shelters, food distribution and long-term recovery groups coordinating across a region when local internet is down.
Medical and public health
Patient status, resource availability and coordination between facilities during mass casualty or public health events.
Search and rescue
Field teams with no cell coverage staying in touch with base and with each other.
Incident command
Multi-agency, multi-jurisdiction responses where radio interoperability is a hard requirement.
Logistics and relief
Supply chains, staging areas and resource deployment when normal communications have failed.
Always on
RIN runs every day, not just after a disaster is declared. Member organizations use it for routine traffic, training and coordination, so the equipment stays maintained and people stay in practice.
When a real activation comes, there's no learning curve and no cold start.
Help us grow the network.
Every new site, partner agency and donation extends RIN's reach.