MEGA DISASTERS: Is Emergency Preparedness Enough?
Disasters either man made and natural are happening every day, week and month of the year and we can do little to prevent disasters but we can do a lot to help saves lives after they have occurred
Emergency response and disaster preparedness programs provide relief and development assistance to millions of people annually who suffer as a result of natural and manmade disasters around the globe.
Even the weather channel has a weekly series called “It Could Happen Tomorrow” that depicts certain weather disasters that are likely to occur in the future.
And disasters are getting much worse, but the federal government’s preparedness has been limited to helping after a disaster has occurred. Historically, the belief that local knowledge and experience is best suited to dealing with common natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornados and floods, has meant that responsibility for disaster preparedness and response has been devolved to local organizations and communities themselves.
September 11, 2001 refocused the country’s attention on disaster preparedness and the realization that there was a lack of preparedness for such disasters. The recent focus of US disaster funding has focused on terrorist events, but the benefits from this technological disaster preparedness orientation should crossover to natural disaster preparedness, as most groups predict.
Emergency response and disaster preparedness programs provide relief and development assistance to millions of people annually who suffer as a result of natural and manmade disasters around the globe.
Now we focus on the only system in the world that will greatly aid in help coordinate rescue missions after a disaster has occurred and emergency response is about to be dispatched. It’s called the Mobile Tactical Collaboration System.
During the response to Hurricane Katrina, the United States realized the grave cost of ineffective communications between law enforcement, rescue, and other public safety agencies. Robust communication between these groups in order to minimize confusion and bring clarity to a complex situation is a must. Mobile Tactical Collaboration System (MTCS) is the solution.
Local law enforcement, rescue, emergency managers, and others need 360-degree coordination during the planning and execution of complex operations. In order to be effective, every member of the task force must be able to communicate quickly and seamlessly, both within and across organizational boundaries.
For rapid and reliable Command and Control (C2) of complex operations, these organizations must be able to exploit effective and reliable communications and integrated collaboration tools while maintaining maximum mobility within the mission area.
MTCS meets these requirements by enabling robust collaboration between public safety agencies, emergency responders, incident commanders, mobile command vehicles, and emergency operations centers. MTCS integrates collaborative software tools, including drawing, white boarding, and voice-over-IP, with advanced GIS and incident management tools. The software is delivered via a web browser and runs on mobile wireless information devices mounted inside emergency vehicles.
In addition, MTSC uses a GPS Tracking called the WorldTracker GPRS GPS Tracking device from GLC Enterprises, Inc. is worn by emergency response crew members to track their whereabouts in near real time.
Using GPS Tracking in this way will be the first time in history that this technology will be used to save lives after a disaster has occurred.
When timely communication is critical, a picture is worth a thousand words. By allowing public safety officers to share their understanding and intentions visually, and with the aid of real-time voice communications, MTCS maximizes information sharing and enhances situational awareness.
When an organization employs MTCS, it immediately provides its emergency services with a major advantage in dealing with complex operations. By providing seamless communication, both visual and verbal, MTCS enables the task force to work as one synchronized, coordinated team. The end result is maximum preparedness and increased public safety.
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