Effective Communications
and information
Management
for
Disaster Operations
Centers and
Vulnerable Communities
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Teknethix Inc. George M Richards
gmrichards@rogers.com
(416) 282-8964
September 2006
Hyogo Framework for Action
(HFA)
Goal #2…
„ development and strengthening of
institutions, mechanisms and
capacities at all levels, especially
community level, to build resilience
to hazards.
HFA (Continued)
Priority 2.4…
„ Establish a hazard monitoring
program including effective,
timely and reliable peoplecentred early warning and
alert systems at the national
and local levels.
Operational Entities
Committee
Chairperson
Shelter Manager
Operations
Manager
Community
Site
Media
Community
Site
Operations Center
Community
Site
Government
Security /
Rescue
Works /
Utilities
Current Technologies Used
WIDESPREAD
„ International/Regional Agency
Websites
„ TV,Radio & Weather Bulletins
„ Live “Call-In” radio programs
LIMITED AVAILABILITY
„ E-Newsletters & Event Websites*
„ Cell, SMS, HAM Radio, SatPhone*
Much More is Required..
Pena has three items he would like to see put in place for local first
responders:
The ability to communicate with each other at the (field)
„
command level
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Communication with the local office of emergency
management set up as the central point of resource
requests, so that OEM can coordinate, prioritize and avoid
duplication of efforts
Communications starting with basic radio for local
communications, along with cell phones, direct-connect
phones and BlackBerry devices.
Pena said backup or redundant systems such as self-powered
radios, hard-wired communications, mobile communication
systems and auxiliary power backups should be in place if needed.
(Senior FEMA Planner – formerly New York City Senior Responder
Much More….
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In accepting the donation, Deputy Director of
NODS Philmore Mullin said: “Even though our
systems have improved since Hugo, there is
always a need for an enhanced system of
communication as technology improves. We are
very grateful for such a timely gift which will
greatly enhance the ability of district disaster
chairpersons to communicate with NODS in times
of emergency. It will also significantly improve
our communications with Barbuda.”
Deputy Director of NODS (Antigua & Barbuda)
The Requirements are..
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Managed & Consistent 2-Way
Information exchange
Timely, Relevant, Accurate
Information
Rugged, Affordable, Easy-to-Use ICT
Standards-based hardware,
software & communications
Desired ICT Environment
EMERGENCY
CENTER
COMMUNITY
Hand Held
Device
Database
&
Analysis
Pen computer
IBM Compatible
COLLECTION &
ANALYSIS
ACQUISITION
Website
Information
Distribution
Internet
REPORTING
Simply Put..
„
1. ACQUIRE Information from
Communities
„
2. ANALYZE
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3. DISSEMINATE
and Integrate
information at the Operations Center
information in a variety of formats
1. Situational Data
Acquisition
Data Sources
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Remote Sensing – Satellite Imagery,
Weather Radar, Ocean Buoys
Geo-Spatial Representations- GIS,
GPS, Information Mapping
Field Observation /Data AcquisitionHand Held PDAs, Converged Voice,
Dara, video
Community / Field Location
BROADBAND
INTERNET
DIGITAL DATA
VOICE
VIDEO
Satellite dish
Pen computer
3G Wireless
Lamndline
Laser printer
Fax
Handheld Programming
Windows PC Software
Easy-to-Program
Creates database
Multiple data formats
Stylus, touch screen
GPS-enabled
Uploading to central database
Satellite Terminals
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Size – 10” x 10”
Weighht - < 1.5 Kg
Quick PC setup
Low Power
Indoor & Outdoor
Mobile, Marine Use
~ 450 kbps
TCP/IP & Voice
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Examples of Technology
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MS Visual Studio
PDAs & Handheld PCs – HP, Toshiba,
Dell
Portable Satellite Terminals –
Hughes, Thrane & Thrane, Nera
Satellite Service – INMARSAT
(BGAN) (Region-wide Footprint)
2. Information Integration
Key Needs
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Centralized Databases – Multimedia
digital, graphic, voice
Information Management – Realtime, Historical, Forecast, Simulation
Information Analysis – Multi-use,
planning, operational, research.
ICT Capabilities at the
Operations Center
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Real-time database updating
Recording of geo-spatial, digital,
voice & video formats
Integrating current and historical
Automated Analysis - by Location,
significance, chronological & by
incident category
Information Integration
BROADBAND
INTERNET
SATELLITE IMAGERY
DATA SENSORS
EVENT FORECASTS
SERVERS
DATABASE
Tower box
SITUATION ANALYSIS
PRINTER
WEBSITE
GIS
STATISTICAL Software
DISASTER MODELS
SIMULATIONS
GIS Structure
TOPOLOGY
FEATURES
DEMOGRAPHICS
INFRASTRUCTURE
Data
VEGETATION
HAZARDOUS AREAS
STOREM SURGE
WIND DAMAGE
FLOODING
MUD / LANDSLIDES
Examples of Technology
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ESRI ArcGIS
SAS / GIS Statistical Software
LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP)
RealNetworks Helix Streaming Suite
Information Reporting
Key Needs
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Internet distribution
User-specified On-demand Reporting
Map-based real-time situations
Automated priority alerts
(E-Mail, RSS, Text messaging)
Archival access (summary & detail)
Reporting
Prioritized Situation Reports
Map-based Risk Representations
On-Demand Statistical Analyses / Trends
Detailed Fieldf Observations L(Damage Assessments)
Projections/ Simulations
Asset / Inventory Reports
General
Public
Community
Site
Research
Community
Government
Operations Center
Works /
Utilities
INTERNET
Media
Security /
Rescue
Examples of Technology
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Crystal Report Generator
ArcExplorer (ESRI)
RSS Server
Constant Contact – E-Newsletters
Open ACS -Website Content Manager
TECHNOLOGY SUMMARY
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Low-Cost, Industry-Standard,
Adaptable
Suitable for small pilot tests and for
full-scale multi-sector/ multiapplication programs
Easy to Operationalize / Easy to use
(CyberTracker)
Thank You
Partial List of Web Sites
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http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/
http://www.hp.com/country/us/en/pr
odserv/handheld.html
http://broadband.inmarsat.com/abou
t/explorer_700.aspx?language=EN&te
xtonly=False
http://broadband.inmarsat.com/defau
lt.aspx?language=EN&textonly=False
Web Sites (Continued)
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http://www.esri.com/
http://www.realnetworks.com/index.
html
http://www.sas.com/products/gis/
http://www.crystalreports.co.uk/
http://search.constantcontact.com/in
dex.jsp