RE: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched
I understand that there is tremendous frustration and righteous anger with the delays in getting aid on the ground. I can't speak for other agencies, but I can share my impressions regarding the Red Cross. I just returned from a nine-hour crash course offered by the regional Red Cross chapter in Sacramento to prepare new volunteers to be deployed to the Gulf region. There were over 100 folks from young adults to graying maturity willing to lend a hand. The seasoned instructors repeatedly stressed that the Red Cross does not ever deploy their staff or volunteers to situations where their safety cannot be assured-with the possible exception of a few highly-trained professionals on the front lines--to do otherwise would be to invite more chaos and potentially more casualties. Every agency has its own mission plan-what I learned today is that the Red Cross sees its immediate task as to receive the dislocated persons at one of the numerous shelters that are already set up away from the area directly impacted-you don't erect a shelter in the swamp--shelters need to have adequate supplies and staff (a few paid staff and tons of volunteers) to make such a monumental task possible, otherwise we will see smaller, numerous superdomes with all the attendant chaos and dangerous conditions. Red Cross staff left California before Katrina made landfall to begin staging equipment. In the weeks and months to come, the Red Cross and others will move to the cleaning and rebuilding stage of the recovery. Can the Red Cross improve their systems of response? Sure, and they are certainly a large organization with a bureaucracy and culture that may not be as quick to change as one might desire. There can be better coordination with other agencies and new communications tools can help. Still, they get the job done. I am sure that every agency will need to do some post-response analysis and indeed, soul-searching to measure their effectiveness. As to the questions regarding non-financial donations--used clothing for example-- the Red Cross told us that the agency does not have the infrastructure to process such well-meaning donations--not to mention the finances to cover the tremendous cost of packing and shipping such items to a disaster scene. At the end of last year's devastating spate of hurricanes in Florida, the Red Cross was stuck with a warehouse full of donated but unusable (for their particular mission) items-used and sometimes ragged clothes, used furniture, all of which had to be either redirected to other agencies or hauled to the dump. By the way, at the end of the day, the entire class was assured that if we are willing, we will be deployed ASAP. I hope to be on the ground somewhere in the region by Thursday. If I have any phone access (we were told not to count on it) I'll try to post some audio on Andy Carvin's Katrina Aftermath page http://katrina05.blogspot.com/ . Chris Warner-Carey Grace Lutheran Church Ukiah, CA -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 02, 2005 9:14 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched I think the general public does not realize how ineffective the Red Cross has proved to be unfortunately during this disaster. The news media indicated they saw the first Red Cross truck on Thur, yesterday in Mississippi. If you have tried to call them you will find out that it is very difficult to get through. It is so unfortunate. People should send their funds to the most effective organizations such as the Salvation Army, Operation Blessings, Feed the Children etc as well. Molly -Original Message- From: Taran Rampersad [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thu, 01 Sep 2005 23:57:26 -0500 Subject: Re: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched I think that the Red Cross and other organizations have been unwilling to accept anything but financial contributions - I went through this with the ARC project - and I am somewhat disillusioned with this disconnect which seems like hubris from the cheap seats. The Red Cross does have a lot of experience, but... why can't people do things other than what their archaic system allows? Why can't you, or me, or anyone on this list simply say, Wouldn't it be cool if... to someone at the Red Cross? These disconnects - that you and Andy have shown - is somewhat disturbing. At what point will these agencies ask for help? Which disaster? We have people offering up housing, and as you point out - we wonder if the right people can get that information. The database of missing and so on is also gone. Meanwhile, the reporter on CNN just handed some Senator Mary Landrieu an angry statement talking about the dead bodies on the streets (a corpse being eaten by rats) and questioning the values of politicians thanking each other. I like this guy. This is 3 days
Re: Re: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched
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.
RE: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched
HI, I am still looking for a fee based or free service to see near real time images of New Orleans and Gulf Coast. This is what I have found: Mobile, Alabama August 30, 2005 post Hurricane Katrina New Orleans, Louisiana August 28, 2002 pre Hurricane Katrina http://www.spaceimaging.com/gallery/ Free: http://www.spaceimaging.com/quicklook/ Jim Brazell -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Taran Rampersad Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 11:21 PM To: The Digital Divide Network discussion group Subject: Re: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Another communications problem is the electricity to restore the battery for cell phones. Most people don't own extra charged batteries. Is there another way to charge batteries? Sun powered wouldn't last very long and it still makes you very dependent. Makes you wish for the ability to use A or AA batteries. Actually, there are kits sold that allow you to use solar energy to charge a battery which then can be used to charge a cellular phone battery. They just haven't been seen as marketable in the U.S., it seems. Solar energy is certainly a viable energy source if used sensibly. It's also not too hard to rig a dynamo on a bicycle if you're desperate. And yes, you could use A, AA, C, or even 9 Volt batteries if you needed to. You just have to know which pins to run the wires to, and use the cell battery in place to keep the connection. But you don't think of this until you are forced to deal with these things - and it requires some knowledge and the ability to use that knowledge (note I did not say education). I suppose people don't think that these things are important until it's too late. We live in an age where, in the developing world, almost everything runs off of electricity and nobody seems to know how to power things in emergencies. There's something that should be taught in school... -- 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.
Re: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched
Jacqueline Morris wrote: From the MSNBC reports I saw today, communication between the rescue and other staffs is still a real issue. Apparently in New Orleans and some other places the radio towers are still down, cell phones are not working, and this has been a major problem with regard to the police, national guard etc being able to coordinate action. Also seems as if New Orleans is possibly going to be the Atlantis of the 21st century! Jacqueline Err. OK. So, with all this lack of communication and some warning before the hurricane hit (much more than the December 2004 Tsunami), I find this kind of hard to swallow. Be that as it may, the satellite phones are supposed to be on the way. I know the first responders in the U.S. would have their communications gear. The people entering the field would have it. So while people keep saying that there's a lack of communication, I think it's a matter of there being a lack of civilian communication. And from what I understand, this all falls under the Department of Homeland Security. Maybe it's my old Navy sense kicking in, but... there's no way that there could be no communication out there. Standard Operating Procedure for Search and Rescue involves communication. That's in the textbook, that's in the training - both civilian and military. And that communication isn't dependant on land or cellular networks, it's radio. Has someone kicked on a Police scanner out there? I imagine one could learn a lot with a police scanner. -- 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.
Re: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched
Cindy Lemcke-Hoong wrote: Mobile phone depends on antenna towers. Towers toppled easily with such strong gusts of wind. That has always been the weakest point of mobile/wireless technology. Even if you have satellites, you still need to beam up and down. Still, SMS messages can sometimes still get through. And with all flooding surrounding New Orleans, you cannot send in mobile antenna Van units. That can be one of the fastest way to restore some communications. Althought I don't see why it cannot be done in the dry areas? Exactly. Wireless antennae could be placed in dry areas - in fact, on top of buildings - but they require electricity. The more power they get, the more range they get. And on your first note - Hummers can go into the water. They are equipped with snorkels. They are actually built for that sort of thing; I used to drive Hummer Ambulances. In fact, I have fond memories of New York City during a blizzard, where Hummers were the only ones on the road. :-) The equipment is available, though what specific equipment is available within a certain time frame from the beginning of the disaster plays a large role in what is used. The 'assets on the ground' should have included Hummers, Navy ships (there is a port in Louisiana), Coast Guard SAR (which is there), etc. The fact that SEAL teams are out there says a lot as to the *effort* being expended - but I'm really surprised that there aren't more assets that were planned for. I remember standing on alert in Orlando, FL as a first responder when hurricanes hit the Carolinas. We were ready to go within 1 hour. I never went, but we were on standby. This could easily lead to other questions, but we're trying to focus on the disaster itself. Right now - and I don't mean to be critical - the technology that activists are using on the internet aren't to help the people affected, but to help identify for friends and relatives who has been affected. In the grand scheme of things, it has nothing to do with what is on the ground - it's news. I applaud those efforts, of course, because they fill a need. But we have to also understand that these are two separate things we are talking about. When flooding hit Georgetown, Guyana last year - where I presently am - it took 2 weeks to get concrete assistance from CARICOM countries, and by then the water had receded naturally. Blogs were started for the same reason, but Iraq and the tsunami still had the majority of donations. The hospital I am staying at was mostly under water - it's been painted since, but in some places you can still see the water lines. The reason I bring this up is so that people realize that no matter how horrible things are, things go on. Georgetown itself is about 6 feet below sea level. New Orleans is averaged at about 10-14 feet below sea level. Telecommunications in Guyana did function, though there were black spots. What is especially interesting, though, is that people in Guyana aren't as reliant on technology as those in the U.S. that are affected. Maybe there is a lesson here where *using* technology and understanding how it works have to be closely aligned so that when bad things do happen, people know what to do. -- 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.
Re: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched
Mobile phone depends on antenna towers. Towers toppled easily with such strong gusts of wind. That has always been the weakest point of mobile/wireless technology. Even if you have satellites, you still need to beam up and down. And with all flooding surrounding New Orleans, you cannot send in mobile antenna Van units. That can be one of the fastest way to restore some communications. Althought I don't see why it cannot be done in the dry areas? Cindy ___ 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.
Re: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched
Andrew Pleasant wrote: New Orleans official (I think the chief of police but not entirely sure) just told CNN, The biggest problem we are having right now is communications. ap I dunno. I'm seeing videophones capturing images on television, which implies not only that cellular networks are up, but that they are relatively undamaged. The communication itself seems like a system problem. The National Guard is there, the Coast Guard is there, the Police are there (http://www.nola.com/hurricane/t-p/katrina.ssf?/hurricane/katrina/stories/html/LOOT31.html ) and so on. FEMA's there, the CDC, and of course the Department of Homeland Security. With the amount of technology available through all of these groups, it's hard to say that the communications problem is technical. Helicopters with bullhorns would work, if you think about it. Of course, the people with real problems that are still there - the handicapped/sick/aged - would need to be looked for door-to-door, which with the manpower available is not a very large issue, though time is of the essence. But the people who are left behind... the socio-economically disadvantaged - they don't have weblogs, they probably don't have cell phones and they probably don't have access to regular phones (if the landlines are still working). Yeah, the problem is communication probably - but that's not a technology issue, I think. I think it's all the crosstalk between all the agencies. It might be a regular Charlie Foxtrot when it comes to who's in charge of what... -- 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.
Re: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched
Hi Another communications problem is the electricity to restore the battery for cell phones. Most people don't own extra charged batteries. Is there another way to charge batteries? Sun powered wouldn't last very long and it still makes you very dependent. Makes you wish for the ability to use A or AA batteries. Carla Carla Lane, Ed.D. Executive Director TEC/CCELC 31 Segovia San Clemente, CA 92672 949-369-3867 F949-369-3865 Cell 949-632-4510 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.TECweb.org ___ 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.
Re: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched
Good point. Most, if not all, US military aircraft are TCP/IP enabled by now, as far as I know. (Should check with my dad - he designs these kinds of systems for a living.) So far I haven't heard any mention of the use of helicopters, unmanned drones or balloons for setting up airborne networks as of yet. The national guard is being deployed with large numbers of satellite phones, but that probably won't benefit individuals still stuck in New Orleans or the surrounding parishes, since they'll be reserved for first-responders and security. ac Taran Rampersad wrote: OK, thanks Andy. If SMS isn't working, I suppose helicopters with bullhorns will have to work. What's strange here is that modern military helicopters should be TCP/IP enabled, and be able to propagate a wireless network. Andy Carvin wrote: Actually, communications are a huge issue. Reporters have interviewed police officers who are at their wit's end. Almost none of them have satellite phones, and the local mobile phone networks have failed. Some SMS is getting through, but it's sporadic. I talked with Larry Anderson yesterday, who's in Mississippi, a way's north of where the damage is. He's been using his ham radio to connect with people in the coastal towns. He described the communications as real grim. Once again, ham radio seems to be the one technology that's reliable... andy -- --- Andy Carvin Program Director EDC Center for Media Community acarvin @ edc . org http://www.digitaldivide.net http://www.tsunami-info.org Blog: http://www.andycarvin.com --- ___ 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.
Re: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched
Another twist to the story: on CNN right now, there's a guy who runs the largest private ambulance service in Louisiana. Among the various problems his company has faced is looters stealing their generators, making it impossible to power their communications infrastructure at their emergency command post. ac Taran Rampersad wrote: I used to write test software for navigation systems on things that need navigation systems as well... and, actually, Hummers with Snorkels would work on the ground as well, and there are some equipped with TCP/IP which are actually built to propagate wireless networks as well. That they have the SEAL teams out says a LOT. A few zodiacs might do better than TCP/IP in some areas. -- --- Andy Carvin Program Director EDC Center for Media Community acarvin @ edc . org http://www.digitaldivide.net http://www.tsunami-info.org Blog: http://www.andycarvin.com --- ___ 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.
Re: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched
From the MSNBC reports I saw today, communication between the rescue and other staffs is still a real issue. Apparently in New Orleans and some other places the radio towers are still down, cell phones are not working, and this has been a major problem with regard to the police, national guard etc being able to coordinate action. Also seems as if New Orleans is possibly going to be the Atlantis of the 21st century! Jacqueline On 8/31/05, Taran Rampersad [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From what I'm seeing, there's not much of a problem with communication in the region. Are there any reports on communication itself? It seems that everything for communicating with the people in the affected regions is under control. Andy Carvin wrote: Hi everyone, I've just launched an open blog and mobcast for people interested in following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: http://katrina05.blogspot.com/ -- 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. -- __ Jacqueline Morris www.carnivalondenet.com TT Music and videos online ___ 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.
Re: [DDN] Hurricane Katrina mobcast launched
Andrew Pleasant wrote: Yes, the media 'parachute in' with high-powered and working (e.g. also not wet or out of power) satellite phones and videophones and battery rechargers. They also have food, water, cans of gasoline, and often travel in groups for added security. They don't seem to be (for whatever reason) going into the projects or the heavily flooded areas where many people live(d). And those not flooded or with sufficient economic clout can likely do the same. Makes for good news, doesn't it? Helicopters with bullhorns might, maybe, work but it have you ever heard the amount of noise those helicopters throw off? The rescue crews working on the helicopters mainly communicate by hand signal - not radio - because it is so loud. Actually, yes I have heard helicopters before. And the bullhorn was to catch the ear - but have you ever heard a helicopter with loudspeakers? Besides, helicopters could land on buildings if they had to. In fact, some helicopters could be rigged to float when they do land. So, I'd say it seems at least in part a technology issue as well. There may be boats and truck loads full of technology. If the technology isn't appropriate or functional in the context, I suppose you can call that a system problem but it strikes me as also a technological one. But then again making a distinction between technology and social/political/economic systems is inherently problematic to begin with. If it's a technology issue, then what I've been reading is that people aren't maximizing the use of their technology. However, I am quite sure that the communication issue, agency crosstalk, you refer to is unfortunately rampant as well. Yeah, every time you involve more than one organization, it happens. Who coordinates the coordinators? :-) -- 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.
