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Keys: Phones to Reduce Loss of Life in Disaster Immediate Help in Emergency Local Level Communication Organization of Rescue and Relief Local Level Coordination of Relief
Disaster Reduction Emergency Management Loss of Life Reduction Early Condition Determination Local Level Communication Immediately After Disaster To Organize Rescue/Relief
Global Crisis Solution Center Last updated: January 26 2005 ________________________________________________________________________
Abstract This
paper outlines the possibility of coordinating information and individuals on
the local level immediately after a disaster.
Coordinating takes place through the development of communication
channels and a constantly updated series of information databases to provide
emergency relief and aid before the major relief efforts arrive. Much loss
occurs in the interim hours or days which could be prevented if the outside
world helped in the coordination of operations with the local population
through directed communication with the local residents. The fact that this is only
partially applicable in much of the developing world at the present time will
be discussed. _______________________________________________________________________ Index Introduction
- Ground Control Coordination on the Local Level An Indication That This Is Possible What
Normally Occurs In the Aftermath of A Disaster The
Actual Coordination Itself on the Local Level The
Limits of Present Communication Capabilities Major
Problems Relieved by Local Level Communications & Databases Steps
To Be Taken After Termination of the Initial Stage References Ground
Control Coordination on the Local Level Once
a disaster has occurred there is often lack of access, insufficient materials,
logistics and mobility to bring in supplies and aid. While rescue efforts and
material stockpiling takes place for the eventual push to provide aid from the
outside, many lives are lost and relief efforts on the ground wasted because
there is little coordination at the local level. The
one thing that is usually ever-present in the modern world of communication,
even in some underdeveloped or remote areas, is the capability of locals and
visitors to the region to communicate with the outside world and with each
other. Often
one of the basic problems facing the local population is the lack of any
structure which can provide immediate support or coordination for relief in a
major disaster, or the possibility that those who were in a position to
organize or provide relief are lost in the disaster leaving a vacuum which
needs to be filled Therefore,
the best and most effective procedure is to organize response from outside the
local level using whatever is available in terms of communication capabilities
with the local population. Organization and information can be partially directed
from outside the area using coordination facilitators and a database which
collects and organizes data which is coming in from the disaster area through
all forms of communication.
An Indication That This Is Possible An indication of the
possibility of this working are data coming from the recent tsunami in
Southeast Asia supplied by a newsletter communication indicating the number of
mobile phones operational in the Sri Lanka Region during the tsunami. Also
described is the use of SMS messaging to the area to gather information by
several foreign ministries. To quote: Further indication of
the use of SMS messaging is attested to by the following: "Days after the
tsunami, Finnish mobile phone providers agreed to broadcast a text message that
hit every Finland-registered cell phone in Thailand (about 6,000). The message
contained information about two evacuation centers for Finnish citizens. If
in fact communication can be established, what are the probabilities what this can be
put to use in saving lives before the arrival of outside relief? To understand this, we need to look at the
behavior of survivors in the middle of and immediately after a disaster. What
Normally Occurs In the Aftermath of a Disaster A
number of things occur in the middle of a disaster which can be redirected and
placed into a more effective relief and aid structure through communication
with minimal outside help: Possibility of
Communication ·
Individuals who can
communicate beyond the disaster area are often unaware of who to contact
or what information may aid in the relief effort. Most calls are to
friends and family to update them on conditions on the ground and the
survival or loss of family members Need for organization ·
Many individual who could otherwise be helping
in the relief effort are sheltering, wandering around, or attempting to find
family members. Added to this is the
fact that individual who could be of help in the initial efforts are often
displaced by the disaster itself and stay where they are, or are directed en-mass
into 'safe' areas and kept from providing their expertise and their willingness
to help. Need for Information Lack of organization ·
Focal points for search and rescue are often
unknown or are often revisited again and again thereby wasting time and
manpower. ·
Inefficient and often futile efforts are
attempted when other procedures and efforts could be more effective including
coordinated group efforts. The
Actual Coordination Itself on the Local Level Coordination
is made up of communication, database information, maps and the recruitment of
volunteers and the directing of relief effort through facilitators. Communication What can be accomplished with early communication? In order to establish a communication
base, a number of factors must be present: How to find phones in the area Database The immediate local level coordination
and relief is based on information gathered from all
contacts providing the basis of actively updated databases which can performing the
following functions: Minimal features of the database Maps Provision of constantly updated maps
detailing the area and giving the extent of the disaster, calls
for help, volunteers, capabilities, communications for stabling local network, types
of local resources available, and current relief efforts, etc. These maps need to be transmitted to the
local level in any form which will be understood and utilized to
the fullest, e.g. verbal maps if visual capability is not present. It is important to
attempt to understand the capabilities of the local coordination points and the tasks being
performed in order to give information which is pertinent and understandable. Coordination The actual coordination on the ground is
composed of the further input of information to the databases
for analysis and redistribution, establishing authority, the distribution f responsibility,
and the identification of resources and capabilities. One major problem facing coordination on
the ground is the fact that many individuals do not want to or
can not volunteer. Illustrative of this is a case during the recent tsunami, in
which medic and
several volunteers who were helping wounded to be evacuated by helicopter and
tried to get other survivors in the area to help without success. This can often be
overcome through the presence of communication from an internationally recognized
source. Collection
of Data Establishing
authority All of the following steps need to be
rehearsed for a number of different scenarios In particular, centralized input of data
must be coordinated to include; 1. Centralized authority structure 2.
Cooperating agencies for each possible scenario 3.
Previous collections of needed information worldwide as the backbone of
the databases. 4.
Database expertise including retrieval, information consolidation and
relay, and map creation 5.
Training of online communicators and facilitators for handling
coordination on the ground. 6.
Installation of database hubs local to the disaster area. Distribution
of responsibility In
some cases, only one or two of the following will be actualized in any
situation. The ideal is as follows: The
Limits of Present Communication Capabilities At
the present time, the state of communication capability worldwide will not
allow an efficient and seamless operation of this sort except in particular
areas. However, limited communications capabilities must not stop the
development of this form of initial operation if it will save lives. The
underpinnings of an operation such as this will be tried and tested once the
capability is actualized. The rapid growth of the mobile phone and the
satellite phone industry will connect a larger part of the population even in
underdeveloped countries. International
agreements and licensing now being forged between countries will permit this
type of communication to take place seamlessly within the next few years. Below
is a description of the present state of affairs regarding communication which
would allow this type of pathway to initial organization of civilian population
and information necessary for such relief. Cellular/Mobile Phones Maps of location can be developed for
those sets which are turned on and those possessing GPS or for those phones
without GPS through a triangulation system calculating the direction of a
phone's signal from two or more locations.
At least one country is currently requiring all cent phone carriers to
provide GPS technology in cell phones by the end of 2005 which will trace calls
to within 100 meters or less.(4) The biggest problem with cell phone(5) connections world wide is the paucity at the
present time in many countries of complete coverage and the necessity of
agreements between nations relative to roaming. This is mostly true of the
developing nations. Even in some of these countries, network ownership is
independent and roaming between the networks is not possible e.g. A bird's eye view of this is given by
maps of cell phone network coverage for most of the world's countries http://cellular-news.com/coverage/ Cell phone networks of
the world Example of coverage for selected
countries: However where there is coverage and where
there are roaming agreements between countries, the possibility of using this
form of communication is very good. Satellite Phones GMPCS (Global Mobile
Personal Communications by Satellite) (5a) Satellite phones are much less widely
used and present some difficulties. Primarily, this type of phone is expensive
and currently owned by travelers, news reporters, military units, aid agencies,
and wealth individuals residing mainly in the highly urbanized areas. While
global area covered by fixed satellites is known, satellite phone presence is
sparse at any given moment in time. Hans Zimmermann (6), United Nations
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, (OCHA) speaking about
GMPCS "Over the next few years we shall see the establishment of GMPCS
systems and further progress in data communications is reported almost daily.
Competition among operators and service providers will inevitably lead to a
drastic reduction of tariffs for satellite based systems. Nevertheless, a
consolidated approach by all users of communications for humanitarian assistance
is necessary to ensure the application of preferential tariffs for their
communications over public networks. In addition, a continuous feedback from
this group of specialized users will help the industry to better fulfill the
communications requirements of disaster response." Maps for cell phone use and for satellite
phones are available for just about any point in the world. The following link gives the areas covered by
fixed satellites. http://www.satsig.net/ivsat-africa.htm
Satellite Signals Satellite internet broadband service
providers and dish pointing - satsig.net home page. List of Satellites in
Geostationary Orbit http://www.satsig.net/sslist.htm All-at once Messaging System Through
Cell Broadcasting (CB) Work now being done on Cell Broadcasting
(CB) can reach 95% of mobile phones in a region simultaneously with text
messages within less than a minute. CB is currently in development stages and
reported at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe Hyogo, Japan
2005. The description below indicates what it is and the current possibility of
its use. CEASA formed Cell@lert(sm) to develop CB which is part of the functioning of
most digital mobile phone systems placing text messages on the screen, like SMS
does, but all-at-once. CB does not contribute to load, is scalable from
about one block to a whole country since it uses existing mobile networks
infrastructure, and is suitable for developed or developing areas. 65000
different channels can be used for different purposes and is handled by The
Mobile Data Corporation which purchases network access and related technology
licensing. (8) 411 Service (currently for In the
Unites States, a further attempt to bring instant messaging to mobile phones is
in the works. A consortium of five of the six major wireless carriers - Cingular Wireless, Nextel, Sprint, AT&T Wireless and
T-Mobile is envisioning a single number service 411 to all mobile-phone
subscribers. Only Verizon Wireless thus far is
refusing to participate. Chicago IL (UPI) Other Partial Solutions
to Disaster Messaging Description: http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/download.php/6334/oasis-200402-cap-core-1.0.pdf Emergency Communications Systems for National and
International Disaster Relief and Aid Teams While this is not relevant to the present
discussion of immediate communication using phones already available in a
region, it is included to round out the picture of emergency
telecommunications. At the present time, most of the emergency communication
systems will be set up by organizations sending teams into a stricken area to
provide relief and communication. This usually will take agreements and
licenses to operate and will involve equipment which precludes involvement of
the ordinary individual who might be of help during the initial phases of a
disaster. While speaking about Telecommunications
in the Service of Humanitarian Assistance Hans Zimmermann, United Nations Office
for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, (OCHA) shortwave radio was
mentioned. With an initial investment which is typically lower than the
communications fees incurred for a single land mobile satellite terminal with
high traffic volume, a shortwave radio station can be installed. As part of a
private network, such a link will not cause any further expenditure. With the
newly available interconnectivity to private public data networks such as LAN,
WAN and the Internet the use of such data links is rapidly increasing.(6) Further headway was made with the
ratification of the Temprere Convention by 30
countries January 2005. For current list of
signatories - UNOG United Nations Office at Geneva News and Media http://www.reliefweb.int/telecoms/tampere/signatories.html Additional information about the
provision of emergency telecommunications during relief operations can be found
at http://www.reliefweb.int/telecoms/ Major
Problems in Outside Relief Once It Arrives Some
of the following
problems could be relieved if information from local level communications and
the subsequent databases was available: When
the advanced relief effort arrives, there is often a lack of integration with
the local efforts. Local efforts should
not be swept aside but should provide detailed briefing, continuation in the
provision of information, and the coordination and integration of personnel and
information with the advanced relief operation. Without this, the following can
often occur: Aid
is often sent to the wrong areas or areas already receiving aid only because a
communication link has been opened and the magnitude of the effects of the
disaster are known or information coming from other
areas and sources is generally not available or made public. In
the distribution of aid, one or more types of vital aid are often forgotten in
the rush to provide what is available and further aid is sometimes not
forthcoming. The
special expertise of individuals in the disaster area often go unnoticed or are
not know known once local operations are organized. This expertise should be one of the first
items on the agenda Local
materials and capabilities are often not searched for or if accumulated for use
in the different areas of the disaster, are not used. Duplication
of search and rescue efforts as well as aid efforts create an over abundance in
some areas while leaving other areas lacking and nothing in other areas. Precursors
to aid do not precede the aid effort - clearing of roads, development of
landing areas, identification of areas for safe distribution, identification of
threats to efforts. Items
or types of aid are given without support equipment, knowledge of use by local
populations, or taboos against use. Steps
To Be Taken After Termination of The Initial Stage Institutionalization
of contacts and knowledge so that it is available during the next disaster
regardless of type Development
of local level training of emergency communications and necessary formats and
procedures for communicating Improvement
of local emergency communications structure Development
of type of information needed and how to report to those handling the databases
and helping in the coordination of local disaster relief Institution of improvements in database information
collection.
Development
of public awareness of where to call if receive communications
from the disaster area and the type of information to give to central data
collection points References (1) Torsten Arendrup Consultant responding to the emergency-telecoms@itu.int email
list (2) http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/kevinmaney/2005-01-04-maney_x.htm by Kevin Maney CEASA formed Cell@lert(sm) to develop Cell Broadcasting (CB) part of the functioning of most
digital mobile phone systems which puts text messages on the screen, like SMS does,
but all-at-once. CB works even in full
overload and does not contribute to load reaching 95% of mobile phone in less
than a half minute. CB is scalable from about one block to the whole country Since it uses existing mobile networks infrastructure, it is
suitable for developed and least developed countries alike. Senders can select
the area. 65000 different channels which can be used for different purposes all
handled by The Mobile Data Corporation purchases network access and related
technology licensing of all. (4) http://www.travelbygps.com/articles/tracking.php (5)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_network
- Good description of cellular networks by wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_phone#Worldwide_deployment
Also see: History of Cellular/Mobile Phones by Inventors About.com
(5a)
The International Telecommunication Union defines GMPCS (Global Mobile
Personal Communications by Satellite) as follows:
"GMPCS is a personal communication system providing transnational,
regional or global coverage from a constellation of satellites accessible with
small and easily transportable terminals. Whether the GMPCS satellite systems
are geostationary or non-geostationary, fixed or mobile, broadband or
narrowband, global or regional, they are capable of providing telecommunication
services directly to end users. GMPCS services include two-way voice, fax,
messaging, data and even broadband multimedia." (6)Telecommunications
in the Service of Humanitarian Assistance http://www.reliefweb.int/telecoms/intro/whatis_eng.html Hans
Zimmermann, Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer, United Nations Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs, (OCHA)* (7) Press Release
regarding Tampere Convention on Emergency Telecommunications received emergency-telecoms@itu.int International Telecommunication The (8) CEASA
formed Cell@lert(sm) to develop Cell Broadcasting (CB) part of the
functioning of most digital mobile phone systems which puts text messages on
the screen, like SMS does, but all-at-once. CB works even in full
overload and does not contribute to load reaching 95% of mobile phone in less
than a half minute. CB is scalable from about one block to the whole country
since it uses existing mobile networks infrastructure, it is suitable for
developed and least developed countries alike. Senders can select the area.
65000 different channels can be used for different purposes all handled by The
Mobile Data Corporation which purchases network access and related technology
licensing. http://globalcrisis.info/secutitysystem.htm Comprehensive Preparation/Response Paradigm
For Natural Disasters, Terrorism, Accidents - Global Crisis Response System (GCRS)
http://www.ieee-icnp.org/2003/papers/1-4.pdf Mobile Distributed
Information Retrieval For Highly-Partitioned Networks, Department of Computer
Science http://www.iimcal.ac.in/research/adhocnet/Papers/50.pdf An Approach Towards
A Decentralized Disaster Management Information Network http://www.sfu.ca/~gagow/capcom/thesis.htm New Approaches in Disaster Communications Towards A Global Communications Lifeline Infrastructure Gordon A. Gow (MA)
Graduate Programme in Communications…, http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=18556
http://www.sia.org/agenda/homeland_security/Satellites%20and%20Homeland%20Security.pdf Satellites
and Homeland Security by Satellite Industry Association http://www.unisdr.org/eng/public_aware/world_camp/2004/pa-camp04-inter-day-eng.htm http://www.local.gov.za/DCD/policydocs/gpdm/gpdm2-3.html Very good presentation of key principles for a Disaster Management policy
and pages on disaster management in general by Ministry and Department of
Provincial and Local Government, South Africa P http://www.apa.org/practice/drnguide.html#relationship
Disaster Response Network Member Guidelines The
Disaster Response Network (DRN) of the American Psychological Association (APA)
is the mechanism through which volunteer psychologists respond to local and
national disasters and other traumatic events. IPLES
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