A sudden and unexpected network outage at the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections (IDJC) headquarters last month could have brought critical operations to a standstill for weeks. Instead, thanks to the swift action and creative problem-solving of the Network Operations team, full connectivity was restored in just one business day.
The crisis began when the department’s primary radio link to the state network failed completely. Initial assumptions pointed to equipment malfunction or weather-related damage. However, the real culprit was far more unusual: a newly constructed elevator shaft on a neighboring property had physically blocked the radio signal’s line of sight.
With no backup connection in place, the outage immediately disrupted essential services across the department.
A Rapid and Resourceful Response
Faced with a complex and urgent challenge, the Network Operations point-to-point radio team—led by Brian Patch and Todd Scott, with support from Jeremy Atherton and Jason Tapia—sprang into action.
- Morning Discovery: On Sept. 18th, the team visually confirmed the obstruction and quickly ruled out all long-term wireless alternatives.
- Innovative Thinking: They identified a new, temporary line-of-sight from the rooftop of the nearby PTC building.
- Hands-On Execution: With no time to spare, Brian and Todd manually hauled heavy radio equipment—secured with 8 cinder blocks and a rubber mat—onto the rooftop using a rope.
- Same-Day Restoration: By late afternoon, the team had realigned the radio, fine-tuned the signal, and successfully re-established a stable, high-efficiency connection.
Their efforts prevented what could have been a multi-week outage, restoring full network functionality in less than 12 hours.
Looking Ahead: A Permanent Fix
While the temporary solution remains in place, ongoing construction activity—including a crane suspected of intermittently blocking the signal—continues to pose a risk. As a result, the department is now prioritizing the installation of a permanent, physically routed fiber optic connection between the affected facilities.
This upgrade will eliminate reliance on vulnerable wireless links and ensure uninterrupted service for IDJC’s critical operations, regardless of future construction or environmental changes.
