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Post Katrina Communications
Did you know … that the Communications confusion which followed Hurricane Katrina was avoidable? It was not an issue FEMA or drowned buses.
The facts may surprise you. Available Technology was unused and virtually un-mentioned "great news". Not You heard a word about a simple solution available from the beginning.
An assumption was made as a reason Katrina on the Gulf Coast as a chainsaw, "not be so bad.
Without the devastation soon to follow in New Orleans, Mississippi and Alabama situation deteriorated into a disaster of proportions Bible quickly. This debacle was not reported yet much of the outside world, outside the local area of the devastation caused by the wind. Few if any noticed that the cell phone and radio towers, including many amateur (HAM) were unable to function.
The "Regular" method communication after a devastating storm like Katrina, as shown after Hurricane Andrew, is police and fire mobile units, Amateur Radio, and news crews and make their way into the disaster areas.
After Andrew, South Florida counties were so thoroughly pulverized most assume that their local few blocks were the most affected and help was on the road to the areas of least damage. It was so after sunrise Monday morning it became evident through reports of helicopters, an unprecedented disaster that had happened.
Some reports obtained over the airwaves. Some amateur radio operators and the Police and Firemen hurt local report. Again, none of these people had any idea of how things really were bad. Many people and organizations typically these reports have addressed themselves were in dire straits. Even Air Force Base Homestead stopped, which was later sunk as assessed Air Force Base.
Now let's return to the Gulf Coast on Monday morning another thirteen years later. The storm surge pushed inland with the help of strong winds, more than 20 kilometers inland in some areas. While early evacuations saved many lives along the Gulf Coast, nothing could protect the infrastructure of cities, counties and states. Much of the highway systems were dropped to the point that even the National Guard could not get all your heavy equipment in the affected areas to dig for survivors. Interstate highways were unusable for miles.
Satellite Phone GSM: Consider a scenario where at least the organization of Civil Defense, National Guard, FEMA, Police, Firefighters and sheriffs, especially "response teams" had on the list Satelitte Phones. Consider this scenario further in that planning disaster and had been training before using a combination of satellite telephones and mobile radios that could work without a repeater in a frequency Shared general.
The obstacles inherent in a massive emergency situation could be recognized and overcome long before after the worst of Katrina past. With Mobile down (the new), and radio frequency sharing a virtual tower of babel was minimal coordinated communication between the scene and from the exterior.
Something as simple as telling a National Guard convoy could not get here from there ', would have helped. Satellite GSM Phone
It helps no one to look back and find fault beyond learning from our mistakes. One of the conclusions on the situation communications is, at least, satellite phones become standard equipment for civil defense organizations. Cell phones are fine for normal use but rely on strong local infrastructure including local power. There are piles, of course, depending on recharge of course. Satellite phones are now " the range of private use and have the same features available in 'Cell Phones for everyday use.
Satellite phones have been around for few years. They are used in the Persian Gulf with great effect. It would be criminal after 'The Year of the Hurricane not to press for the inclusion of Phone satellite technology in disaster planning throughout. This is true at the city level to state and federal.
CR Ellsworth copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved World Wide
About the Author
C. R. Ellsworth is retired and living in the ‘Great North Woods’.
He’s been involved in On-Line & Network Marketing since 2000.
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