>From: Taran Rampersad <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Date: Thu Sep 01 14:25:42 CDT 2005 >To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Re: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched
Just a comment to add: I am a retired Army signal Corps type, and I have been looking for reports of communications facilitated by airborne platforms. Having a helicopter set up with communications gear hovering for a shift can make a huge difference. I've seen it done, and its remarkably effective especially over long distances. The only thing I can figure is that all helicopters available are running higher priority missions. But one essential feature of command and control is good communications. Surprised that tried-and-true technology isn't out in front. Then again, the news doesn't cover everything that goes on. But complaints about the lack of communication are disturbing. 1 Sept. 2005 >Jacqueline Morris wrote: > >>In 1993, I worked for a consulting company that sent a proposal to >>FEMA for a disaster plan - a lot of the issues that are arising now >>would have been mitigated if that proposal or something like it had >>been implemented. It included having a load of stuff including >>generators, portable radio towers, satellite phones, etc stored in >>pods around the country that could be transported into the areas by >>helicopter, boat, truck, etc and set up very very quickly to have a >>communications infrastructure in place to be able to coordinate relief >>efforts. >> >>Right now they are talking about reconnecting electricity. I wouldn't >>want to be in a flooded area if they turn back on that electricity! To >>me, they had better plan on running solar and diesel generators for >>quite a while. But where are those? Where are those big army >>helicopters that can transport loads of people? Where are the Navy >>ships to run communications? (Or help house ppl) >> >> >Actually, a nuclear plant on board one of those ships could power New >Orleans. But it's really a matter of infrastructure. > >>After Hurricane Ivan destroyed 90% of Grenada last year, the first >>things in were soldiers, tents,water, food, generators and backhoes. >>Power restoration was not one of the first things on their minds at >>all. They got the refugee camps up and running, and then started doing >>the clearing and reconstruction. >> >> >Actually, in the context of Grenada, one of the main problems of >communication was the lack of power, and was one of the things I >classify as a mistake. I also classify the fact that ships were not >already in the water when it was *apparent* that there would be damage >to Grenada as a mistake. The airfield should have been the first thing >cleared, and communications equipment should have been one of the first >things over. Ships? The first things in should have been propeller >planes/helicopters. And THAT could have been done even as the tail of >the storm was leaving. > >It took 3 days for the Prime Minister of Grenada to communicate >effectively. That is a disaster in itself. > >72 hours is what you have to respond to an emergency - the golden 72 >hours. It's a well known fact. And the clock starts when the disaster >*hits*, not when people wake up and have the chance to talk on TV for a >while. :-) > >>I think the shock of what happened took too long to get over, and now >>the rescue and relief are playing catch up. For the sake of the people >>who stayed to "ride out" the storm, lets hope that they manage to get >>going very very soon. >> >> >With this particular disaster - and, with Ivan - there was apparent >danger and more could have been done to assure more lives were saved... >but that's something that should be noted for the next disaster. Of >course, it was noted after previous disasters, and nothing of substance >has evolved yet. > >-- >Taran Rampersad >Presently in: Georgetown, Guyana >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >http://www.knowprose.com >http://www.easylum.net >http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/Taran > >"Criticize by creating." ? Michelangelo > >_______________________________________________ >DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list >DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org >http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide >To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE >in the body of the message. _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
