Chicago, IL, March 11, 1996 --A little over one year ago, the Emergency Response & Research Institute undertook an exploratory examination of emergency service computer networks. This study had a particular emphasis in regard to the use of networks and the Internet, as it applies to disaster preparedness and response situations. The results of this preliminary study are outlined below.
It is proposed that private and government computer networks and the Internet could be used to exchange planning information, transfer working information during disasters, coordinate mutual aid, and obtain needed personnel and resources during a large scale incident. Further, that this networking could begin with one local system and grow proportionately to the size of any disaster....up to and including a national or international response. By utilizing state of the art computer equipment and networking tools, it is believed that better cooperation and coordination can be achieved and lives saved.
The study was begun by announcing it's intent and purpose through a number of channels, including;
Internet News Groups
Commercial Computer Services (ie.Compuserve, etc)
Emergency magazines and periodicals
Via e-mail and U.S. Mail, to interested individuals and groups
Comments, questions, suggestions and analysis of a concept
called a "virtual disaster network" were solicited from all
interested parties.
Next, a survey of currently available computer resources was done via the Internet. Specifically related servers and services were identified and cataloged in regard to their purpose and utility, and potential for use in a larger network effort. Both data/information collection sites and dissemination sites were both identified during the course of this survey. A number of individuals contributed a variety of information about different sites and some pertinent data about the capabilities of the personnel operating them.
A public attempt was made to gain an understanding of the computer and networking capabilities of a number of large and small emergency agencies, admittedly without much success. Voluntary participation in such a survey didn't appear to be viable, due to an apparent reluctance on the part of many public agencies to participate. It is believed that many systems have had some components that could allow interactively, but that they have not voluntarily made such information public. It is also believed that some agencies may also have "links" with some other agencies.
Anecdotal reports suggest that the degree of computerization varies greatly across the country and that little or no standardization of equipment exists either within or between agencies. Many agency communications centers contain only proprietary hardware and software, designed to meet individual system needs...with little consideration of any possibility of inter-operability.
With the exception of the NCIC (National Crime Information Center) and some other confidential/secure law enforcement networks, little interactively presently exists. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can activate UHF, VHF, and satellite radio nets and a limited number of portable computer links to it's headquarters, in times of specific need. No other formal (government sponsored) Fire, EMS, or disaster networks were identified that regularly facilitate an exchange of intelligence, trends, solutions, or planning efforts between systems.
The a majority of primary links that currently exist between differing emergency systems are informal and personal, rather than formal or organizational. Very little vital information is currently being shared between systems, except by individual "computer literate" members of each department. It would appear that very few emergency agencies currently have active Internet connections, even on a dial-up basis. A better national survey of these assets must be made before additional analysis can be undertaken.
Few, if any, emergency agencies have undertaken any dedicated computer communication linkage between themselves and other nearby (mutual aid) systems. This deficit is particularly evident in regard to relationships between differing kinds of agencies. (i.e. few Fire/EMS agencies have any computer linkage to any Police Agency) Fewer than twenty (20) systems were identified, nation-wide, that had formal connections with other agencies.
A primary consideration in most disaster situations is that communications. Or rather, a primary disaster difficulty is communicating on already overwhelmed radio, telephone, or cellular communications frequencies. The problem is compounded when an emergency manager begins to attempt to communicate between agencies on differing frequencies and interact and coordinate essential and simultaneous actions of field personnel. It is believed that computer linkages, be they permanent or virtual, may be a major answer to those problems, so frequently encountered in large scale incidents.
Based on the preliminary data that we have acquired in the past year, it is respectfully suggested that a demonstration grant or other major funding would be necessary to provide "seed-money" for a test of this concept. Much of the money would be used for establishing high through-put TCP/IP connections and the connecting of Internet dedicated landlines in a specific area. After "wiring" multiple agencies, at least one dedicated server would be required for the purposes of storing and dissemination of information, and real time communications.
On any system, in its simplest form, e-mail could be utilized for the sharing of intelligence and planning information, and the storing of reference documents. A World-Wide-Website could also be added to the server to make accessing of pertinent documents easy for participants. As the number of agencies increased, the size of a disaster dictated, or the complexity of operations increased, additional servers could be brought on-line in an increasingly larger area. "Live data connections" could be made with other dispatch centers and maintained for the duration of an emergency.
Dispatch information, mutual aid requests, and requests for logistics and materials would be sent by computer, rather than phone or radio. As previously mentioned, laptop computers with cellular modems, or dedicated UHF or 800Mhz data frequencies could be used from the scene to transmit updates and make requests. The utility of using dedicated radio frequencies for data communications and use of the Internet has been demonstrated by the U.S. Navy and other military organizations.
In light of our preliminary data and review of this concept, we believe that the idea of a "Virtual Disaster Network" is a most viable alternative to the current state of the art in disaster management. Additionally, this idea can be begun within individual systems and between local agencies without major costs, aside from the "hardware and connections necessary to implement these new data communications channels. There are, undoubtedly, some technical issues to be resolved, but none that appear insurmountable.
The primary difficulty that we anticipate in the implementation of this idea involves overcoming a resistance on the part of emergency service and communications managers to implement the aforementioned data communications links. Some reluctance may also be encountered within dispatch centers, as additional computer skills and duties are required of dispatchers. Both groups are familiar with and very oriented to the instantaneous flow of information provided by voice/radio communications. A period of re-learning may be necessary to facilitate computer data exchanges, rather than simple voice transmissions.
The Emergency Response & Research Institute (ERRI) has committed itself to a continuing examination of this concept, and a refinement of the applications, connections, and content hereto. We would welcome comments, questions, suggestions, and public comment in regard to the idea of further development of a "Virtual Disaster Network". Our ultimate objective would be to actually design and implement at least one working network of smaller agencies, which could be replicated and installed at any number of server sites throughout the country. It could then become an easy task to link servers sites into a national network or even an international network of emergency and disaster organizations.