New Technologies in Emergency Communications
by Trevor, M5AKA
One thing that struck me about the recent Tsunami in South East Asia is the role that the new mass communications technologies have played in the response in the disaster.
In one affected country, the Government made use of its mobile phone network to assist in tracking down the whereabouts of British and foreign holidaymakers. They simply sent a text message to every phone in the country that had the Roaming Facility enabled.
The text gave a contact number to call. Half of all those texted responded which aided the massive administrative task of identifying and arranging the departure of those holidaymakers who had survived.
Sure a great many cell phone masts had been knocked out but all phone companies have rapid deployment trailer mounted base units (they lose money every minute a cell unit is out of action) and where possible these were quickly put to use.
As part of the relief effort Satellite Phones were deployed in vast numbers providing Video, Voice and Data links to the affected areas. For e-mails on the ground Blackberry's come into their own and Wireless LANs were used to link up PC's. Within hours of the disaster lists of vitally needed medical items were available on the Internet.
One product especially designed for use by Aid Agencies is the "Net Relief Kit" produced by Cisco Systems. It's basically a rugged communications hub in a suitcase. It provides both voice communication and Internet links via satellite and can be powered by a car battery. It has built in WiFi enabling a single unit to serve an entire facility.
There's no doubt that in this disaster the Internet coupled with mobile comms was the main communications tool. Despite the valiant work done by the few Radio Amateurs out there, there's no doubt Amateur Radio's role as a provider of Emergency Communications was eclipsed by the new communications technologies.
Sadly the most stricken region Aceh suffered a double whammy from the effects of the 58 year war with Indonesia - there is precious little Internet/Mobile Comms and all Amateur Radio is banned.
There are implications from the Tsunami for the "Emergency Communications" role that Amateur Radio provides in the wealthier nations such as the UK and USA. We have even more effective mobile phone networks and with the recent introduction of Push-To-Talk services by UK mobile phone companies we could well see some of the "bread and butter" work done by groups such as RAYNET being eroded.
In the USA the Red Cross have already deployed the Nextel mobile phone Push-To-Talk units with great success, as a result they have little use for Amateur Communications. In Pasadena, Radio Amateurs had provided the communications for the annual Tournament of Roses Parade for 40 years. Last year, they were told they were no longer wanted, they were replaced by Nextel mobile phone units.
While I can see User Services still needing people to operate equipment, I think they will increasingly use the more flexible mobile phone PTT services in preference to existing Amateur Rigs.
Trevor M5AKA
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