Press Release / HQE Systems Unveils SAFE Network™: Born from the Devastation of the 2018 Paradise Camp Fire, Built to Mitigate Tragedies Like Hurricane Helene in 2024

When disaster strikes, chaos follows—not just on the ground but across vital communication channels. Cellular networks collapse under pressure, power grids fail, and emergency managers are left scrambling to reach the people most at risk. For decades, communities have relied on fragile private network systems that often falter when they are needed most.

That era ends today!

HQE Systems proudly introduces the SAFE Network™—a transformative innovation that rewrites the rules of emergency communication. More than a network, it is a lifeline. The SAFE Network™ is the first True Public Safety Communications Network, engineered to operate entirely independently of cellular infrastructure and A.C. power.

Built to endure the harshest conditions, the SAFE Network™ provides unmatched resilience, reliability, and scalability across all phases of disaster management: preparedness, response, and recovery. From delivering critical evacuation orders to ensuring survivors remain informed during extended outages, the SAFE Network™ is the most advanced communication tool available to emergency managers today.

“The SAFE Network was built with a singular purpose: to ensure emergency managers can deliver life-saving alerts when their communities need them most,” said Qais Alkurdi, CEO of HQE Systems. “As disasters grow more frequent and severe, the need for a standalone public emergency communication system has never been greater. The SAFE Network isn’t just another tool—it’s a transformative solution for emergency management.”

This revolutionary system ensures that no community is left in the dark, equipping emergency managers with the tools they need to save lives and restore order when it matters most.

Engineering a Network That Endures When Others Fail

In the chaos of disasters, communication systems are often the first to collapse. Recognizing the catastrophic impact of these failures, HQE Systems developed the SAFE Network™ to function under the most extreme conditions, ensuring emergency managers have a tool they can rely on.

Independence from Cellular Networks

The SAFE Network™ eliminates dependence on private telecommunications systems, which are among the first to fail during hurricanes, wildfires, and earthquakes. By operating on an independent platform, the SAFE Network™ ensures emergency alerts, evacuation orders, and safety updates are delivered—even when cellular towers are down or unavailable.

Unmatched Power Resilience

Power outages are an inevitable consequence of disasters, rendering many communication systems useless. The SAFE Network™ is powered by battery-operated SAFE Units that remain functional for up to 7 days without A.C. power, ensuring uninterrupted communication during prolonged outages.

“Power failures are a given during disasters, but communication doesn’t have to stop. The SAFE Network™ was built to keep going—no matter how long the lights are out.”

The Imperative for the SAFE Network™

Without the SAFE Network™, communities remain vulnerable to repeating the tragic outcomes of past disasters. Consider these examples where reliable communication could have saved lives:

• Maui Wildfires (2023): Communication breakdowns during the Lahaina fire led to chaos, delayed evacuations, and over 100 fatalities, with significant property loss.
• Paradise, CA, Camp Fire (2018): Communication failures contributed to 85 deaths and over $16 billion in damages.
• Hurricane Helene (2024): Cellular outages and grid failures in the Southeast left 1.3 million people without access to evacuation orders, resulting in 232 fatalities.
• AT&T National Outage (2024): A network failure disrupted communication for millions across the U.S., severely impacting emergency coordination and public notifications.
• Mendocino Complex Fire (2018): California’s largest wildfire at the time destroyed critical communication infrastructure, leaving emergency services unable to coordinate effectively for nearly two days.
• August Complex Fire (2020): Spanning over a million acres, the largest wildfire in California’s history saw major communication infrastructure losses, complicating evacuation efforts and resource coordination.
• Dixie Fire (2021): Destroying nearly 1 million acres and entire towns, the fire caused prolonged power and cellular outages, leaving thousands of residents without crucial emergency alerts.
• Hurricane Beryl (2018): Cellular and power failures throughout affected areas significantly hampered emergency communication and coordination, prolonging recovery efforts and increasing community vulnerability.
• Hurricane Katrina (2005): Over 1,300 fatalities were exacerbated by the collapse of New Orleans’ communication systems, including power stations, mobile networks, and 911 services.
• Joplin, Missouri Tornado (2011): Many of the 161 fatalities occurred because residents misunderstood or ignored sirens, highlighting the need for more effective communication tools.
• Libya Floods (2023): Storm Daniel caused catastrophic flooding, destroying the country’s communication gateway and leaving over 11,000 dead. The infrastructure collapse delayed rescue and relief efforts.

Each of these events underscores the necessity of the SAFE Network™ as a resilient, standalone public safety communication system.

 

Unified Communication Channels for Comprehensive Emergency Coverage

Emergencies demand versatile, reliable communication. The SAFE Network™ combines multiple modalities to ensure critical messages reach everyone, everywhere:

• Electronic Alerts: The SAFE App allows residents to send and receive critical text messages within their designated family and friend circles, even when cellular networks are down or degraded. This ensures residents can coordinate evacuation plans during emergencies and stay connected with loved ones while attempting to reunite afterward.
• Indoor Notifications: SAFE Units provide high-decibel audio and visual alerts (in a preferred language – up to 108 different foreign languages) to ensure critical messages are seen and heard indoors. These portable devices remain active during evacuations, keeping residents informed wherever they go. Additionally, SAFE Units function as SAFE Network Intra-Net WiFi hubs, enabling residents to use their personal mobile devices to communicate via the SAFE App, even when traditional networks are unavailable.
• Outdoor Warning Sirens: Long-range sirens cover expansive areas, delivering clear, actionable voice messages, even in chaotic outdoor environments.
• Public Safety Radio Integration: The SAFE Network™ connects directly to NOAA/NWS channels, providing emergency managers with real-time disaster information.
• Unlimited Sensor Integrations: The SAFE Network™ supports certified sensors for real-time monitoring, including EVERSENSE Ultra-Early Ground Fire Detection Sensors, which operate without A.C. power, batteries, or maintenance.

This multi-channel approach ensures no message goes unheard and no life is left unprotected.

Proven Capabilities: FEMA-Backed Deployment in Paradise, CA

The SAFE Network™ is already proving its impact in Paradise, CA. With FEMA funding, Paradise has implemented HQE’s Unified Mass Notification System, including the SAFE Network and Indoor SAFE Units, to deliver critical evacuation orders, shelter updates, and safety information—even during power outages.

This deployment is a testament to the SAFE Network™’s ability to address the challenges of modern disasters and prevent the communication failures that have cost lives in the past.

 

Built on Resilience, Backed by Data

HQE Systems developed the SAFE Network™ using decades of engineering expertise. Key performance benchmarks include:

• Operational Autonomy: SAFE Units remain fully functional for 10 days without external power.
• Cost Efficiency: Supported by FEMA grants, the SAFE Network™ is accessible to municipalities of all sizes.
• Proven Engineering: HQE has delivered over 6,000 unified mass notification systems and cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning engineering solutions worldwide. Renowned for their reliability, HQE’s systems are designed to perform under the most extreme conditions, earning the trust of communities and emergency management professionals globally.

Redefining Emergency Communication Standards

The SAFE Network™ is more than a system—it’s a redefinition of how communities prepare for and respond to disasters. By eliminating reliance on vulnerable infrastructure, the SAFE Network™ provides emergency managers with the dependable tools they need to save lives.

“This system is not just a response to past failures—it’s a proactive step toward ensuring communities are ready for whatever comes next,” said David Ditto, Unified Mass Notifications Subject Matter Expert, HQE Systems.

Take the Next Step

HQE Systems invites emergency managers, public officials, and disaster preparedness leaders to learn more about the SAFE Network™. Schedule a demonstration or explore how this technology can enhance your community’s emergency management capabilities.

Visit www.HQESystems.com or contact Marketing@HQESystems.com

About HQE Systems

HQE Systems is a GovTech leader in life safety and security technology, specializing in resilient, scalable solutions for public safety. Founded by veterans, HQE combines engineering innovation with a commitment to saving lives. With over 6,000+ systems deployed globally, HQE Systems is redefining the future of emergency management.

Media Contact:
David Ditto
Life Safety & Security Solutions Expert
HQE Systems, Inc.
Marketing@HQESystems.com
(800) 967-3036