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Meet Cisco's Most Beloved Employees: Bringing Telephones To World's Most Desperate People

Meet Cisco's Most Beloved Employees: Bringing Telephones To World's Most Desperate People

Cisco TacOps helps with disasters in the U.S. and abroad. This was the scene they saw in 2011 after an E4 Tornado hit in Alabama.

Meet Cisco's Most Beloved Employees: Bringing Telephones To World's Most Desperate People

A recent disaster for the team was the Philippines typhoon in November. They do a lot of planning before heading out to the disaster zone areas.

A recent disaster for the team was the Philippines typhoon in November. They do a lot of planning before heading out to the disaster zone areas.

Because these folks are going into disaster zones, where there is no food, water, sanitation facilities, they bring everything with them. It fills a big airplane.

Because these folks are going into disaster zones, where there is no food, water, sanitation facilities, they bring everything with them. It fills a big airplane.

This is the scene of devastation they saw arriving in the Philippines.

This is the scene of devastation they saw arriving in the Philippines.

In the rural areas, the destruction was just as bad. The high winds wiped out everything.

In the rural areas, the destruction was just as bad. The high winds wiped out everything.

The team sees a lot of suffering, people in shock or grieving for the dead, says TacOps team member Sue-Lynn Hinson.

The team sees a lot of suffering, people in shock or grieving for the dead, says TacOps team member Sue-Lynn Hinson.

A demolished school seems especially sad.

A demolished school seems especially sad.

That's an inflatable satellite that the team brought with them.

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Here's a closer look at that inflatable satellite.

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Cisco also makes phones and other telecom equipment. It brings and installs it all so public safety officials can work on the rescue.

Cisco also makes phones and other telecom equipment. It brings and installs it all so public safety officials can work on the rescue.

After Cisco got the equipment working, these Philippines rescue workers were able to see pictures of the devastation for the first time.

After Cisco got the equipment working, these Philippines rescue workers were able to see pictures of the devastation for the first time.

The team brings tents and sleeps in them. Each group of Cisco volunteers will stay on scene for about two weeks before replacements, if needed, arrive.

The team brings tents and sleeps in them. Each group of Cisco volunteers will stay on scene for about two weeks before replacements, if needed, arrive.

Cisco created a bunch of Network Emergency Response Vehicles (called NERVs) for local disasters. It's a traveling telecom/Internet link.

Cisco created a bunch of Network Emergency Response Vehicles (called NERVs) for local disasters. It

This is what it looks like inside a NERV truck.

This is what it looks like inside a NERV truck.

Here's a closer look at the video, dials, switches and knobs on the NERV control panel.

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During Hurricane Sandy, Cisco Deployed 6 NERV trucks and other utility trucks around New York and other affected areas.

During Hurricane Sandy, Cisco Deployed 6 NERV trucks and other utility trucks around New York and other affected areas.

Here's the TacOps team when they completed their mission in the Philippines.

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We're told that people at Cisco are especially proud of this team, knowing that when disaster strikes Cisco sends aid. The team has earned its share of corporate awards, too.

Here's a list of disasters where TacOps has worked. They also help with community events like marathons and do safety training programs.

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And here's a look at some amazing tech from IBM

And here

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