The Importance of Information Technology and Telecommunications.
Information can be as important as food, water, shelter, or medicine when responding to
a catastrophic event. Without accurate and timely information the ability of responders
to effectively distribute critical supplies, equipment, and resources is seriously impaired.
The results are often inadequate, mis-directed, or excessive response efforts.
The first link in the information chain is communications. The ability to disseminate
warnings, call for help, describe the level of damage, discuss needs, and deliver
information requires the establishment of two-way communications. This requirement
places telecommunications at the top of the disaster management technology support
Heavily damaged or destroyed telecommunications infrastructure is one of the major first
response challenges. There are several options and considerations that need to be
reviewed when deciding on how best to meet the communications challenge. These
• Equipment availability
• Set-up time
• Transmission speed
• Anticipated data volumes
• Transmission frequency
• Government and military regulations
• Skill and operating requirements
The tsunami relief effort included the deployment of well established along with new
telecommunication technologies. Hand-held satellite phones provided reliable
communications for field personnel in remote areas and should be part of any critical
incident deployment. VSAT units were used for data transmission from UN, NGO, and
relief worker sites / offices. Temporary cell networks were established along with the
use of two-way HF and LF radios. Voice over internet protocol (VOIP) was also utilized
where the required data connections and hardware support was available.
One of the most promising and exciting telecommunication technologies deployed was
the Secure Wireless Infrastructure System (SWIS) installed by the IBM Crisis Response
Team in Teunom and Banda Aceh, Indonesia. The SWIS system transmits data at a
high speed rate of 3 MB Vs. the normal 56 Kbs transmission rate on most VSAT units.
SWIS could support up to 500 simultaneous users along with VOIP and video
capabilities. The SWIS Wi-Max feature has the ability to create a 75 mile wide 802.16
wireless bubble allowing PC’s with 802.11 capability to easily connect and transmit data.
SWIS units were used for transmission of medical information from field hospitals along
with logistics, IDP registration, consolidated reporting, and decision support data. The
SWIS unit installed in Banda Aceh is currently the main data transmission point from the
office of the Governor to senior officials in Jakarta.
While multiple technology solutions are available the priority level set by relief
organizations and local government officials to re-establish communications capabilities
following a disaster must remain as a primary strategic goal for any response effort.
Maintaining an inventory of critical communications equipment and identified personnel
to help set-up and operate this equipment will also be beneficial in reducing transport
and set-up time. Easy to understand documentation on how to operate the equipment
along with access to a “help desk” to answer questions from the field are all part of a
solid communications strategy.
IT systems comprise the strategic core needed to effectively manage a critical incident.
The goals of an effective IT crisis support system include:
• Rapid deployment and set-up
• Access to critical “real time” decision support information
• The ability to perform data triage on information used by incident management
• Delivery of high value and high quality information matched against pre-defined
decision support variables or templates.
• Ease of use and flexibility for operating in a high stress, limited resource
• Systems that run in a connected and stand-alone mode
• Systems that facilitate information sharing and communication between
international relief organizations, local government, and the private sector.
• Need and donor matching to identify and reduce redundant efforts between the
public and private sector.
• Open systems, flexible, scalable, and secure application and technology
• Comprehensive and flexible report generation
• Adapting systems to meet regulatory, cultural, social, skill and usage
In responding to the tsunami there were many excellent examples of progressive open
system applications that were utilized across the affected areas. Many of these systems
were developed in cooperation with IT industry service providers and representatives
from UN and government agencies. Some of the application areas addressed included:
• Victim tracking
• IDP registration
• Logistics management
• Relief camp management
• ID card systems
• GIS mapping
• Relief organization registration
• Need & donor matching
• Re-construction decision support
• Child protection services
• Collaborative work space
• Incident management
• Contact and personnel management
• Data consolidation
• Report Generation
• Data management
Effective use of IT systems can help improve many aspects of the disaster response and
recovery effort. One example is the use of requirements tracking and donor
management systems to reduce potential redundancies and duplications of effort. Local
capabilities and resources need to be identified and assessed against critical relief
demands and social, political and economic issues. A decision can then be made if
outside resources and supplies are needed to supplement local capabilities. IT systems
can track sources of the required supplies and match them against critical needs.
Volume, pricing, delivery, specification and other resource needs can be included in the
analysis. Multiple donation sources should be considered including government, UN,
NGO, and private sector donors. Using IT systems to match donations against specific
needs will reduce redundancy and improve efficiency.
It is imperative we build on the success of the tsunami relief IT and communication
programs. We need to consolidate, enhance, and deploy “best of breed” applications
and technologies for global use in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. IT
and Telecom functions should be viewed as strategic components of the disaster relief
effort and a foundation for building comprehensive resiliency and preparedness plans.
IT and Telecom support must be designated as immediate deployment resources in any
A plan is currently in place to consolidate and enhance the emergency management
relief applications that were utilized in the tsunami relief effort. This plan includes
support from UN organizations and the private sector. An “open systems” philosophy
has been adopted to address UN agency and local government requirements for
independence and flexibility. It is hoped that the development of consolidated
emergency management relief systems will help to improve communications,
coordination, and foster the sharing of mutually beneficial information across UN
agencies, NGO’s, local governments, and private sector groups.
Further improvements are also needed to address various social, political, economic,
and environmental issues as they affect disaster response and recovery efforts. One
area of required improvement is the inconsistent implementation of or lack of emergency
powers legislation and delegated responsibility during times of crisis. As a long time
responder, it is very frustrating to see life saving equipment and supplies delayed at
ports of entry because of a failure to modify customs regulations to simplify the receipt of
goods during catastrophic events. This includes the receipt of IT and communications
equipment donated to relief efforts.
The 2005 WHO Conference in Phuket brings with it the promise of working together to
build partnership solutions that will proactively reduce risk, accelerate recovery, minimize
losses, and build resiliency.[/I][/B][/ALIGN][/ALIGN][/ALIGN][/ALIGN][/ALIGN][/ALIGN]