FIRST ON FOX: SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk is donating Starlinks to those in need of Wi-Fi in California amid devastating wildfires that have left residents without internet or cell phone service.
The non-profit rescue group Gray Bull Rescue met with Musk and first responders over the weekend to help deploy the Starlink satellite devices in the Los Angeles area.
“Effective communication is critical in any crisis, war or disaster—especially in remote and devastated areas where communications infrastructure has been destroyed like we’re seeing here in California,” Gray Bull Rescue President Bryan Stern told Fox News Digital in a statement Monday. “Yesterday, Gray Bull Rescue was honored to assist the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD) by providing Starlink mini units to provide them with critical communications in areas ravaged by wildfires.”
Stern noted, however, that LACFD and other emergency services agencies in California “have sought Starlink for a long time specifically for this type of scenario,” but red tape has gotten “in the way of this critical need for effective disaster communications for first responders react.”
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On January 12, Elon Musk personally delivered mini Starlinks to first responders and volunteers in California. (Saving the gray bull)
Musk announced the Starlink donations on January 9. On Sunday, the billionaire founder and CEO of Tesla said he would also donate Cybertrucks to the affected areas.
“Apologies to those expecting Cybertruck delivery in California over the next few days,” he wrote on X, which he owns. “We need to use these trucks as mobile base stations to power Starlink internet terminals in unconnected areas of LA. The new truck will be delivered at the end of the week.”
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Elon Musk announced that he would be donating Starlinks in a January 9 post on X. (Saving the gray bull)
Gray Bull Rescue said LACFD requested assistance with a “critical gap” to the Internet.
“This is where the private sector demonstrates its number one capability: SPEED.”
“[Six] hours later, through Gray Bull Rescue, the problem was resolved with the gold standard in austere communications: Starlink,” Stern said. “Hearing the need, Elon Musk then visited Gray Bull Rescue and LACFD at their staging area and personally delivered hundreds more additional Starlink minis, demonstrating our commitment to support the rescue efforts.”
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Gray Bull Rescue said LACFD requested assistance with a “critical gap” to the Internet. (Saving the gray bull)
Gray Bull Rescue volunteers rely on Starlink Internet for their missions “in some of the most communications-deprived environments in the world,” Stern said.
Musk also donated a number of Starlinks to the western North Carolina region after Hurricane Helena in late September, it left thousands without power or internet for days, making it difficult for survivors to contact emergency services and their loved ones.
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Gray Bull Rescue volunteers rely on Starlink Internet during their missions “in some of the most communications-deprived environments in the world,” Stern said. (Saving the gray bull)
“In addition to improving connectivity for first responders, the Gray Bull Rescue team has been on the ground since [day one] forest fires, working side-by-side with first responders to support them in safely evacuating residents and delivering critical humanitarian aid,” explained the head of Gray Bull Rescue.
“In times like these, every action and every minute counts. We are committed to helping wherever we can, in any way we can to help those affected by this catastrophic disaster.”
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The wildfires that have been raging in Southern California for a week have turned entire neighborhoods into ashes and killed at least 24 people. The Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire and the Hurst Fire were three active wildfires in LA County from monday.
