1

ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS: COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS:

ODPEM AND ICTODPEM AND ICT

ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS: COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS:

ODPEM AND ICTODPEM AND ICT

Ronald JacksonDirector General (Actg.)Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management

Ronald JacksonDirector General (Actg.)Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management

LEADERS 2006 COURSE

International Course on Development and Disasters with a Special Focus on Health November 30 – December 1, 2006

2

Outline Outline Upon completion of this module, participants will be Upon completion of this module, participants will be aware of the following:aware of the following:

The Importance of Communication in Disaster The Importance of Communication in Disaster ManagementManagement

Be aware of the various methods of information Be aware of the various methods of information communication systems used by ODPEMcommunication systems used by ODPEM

Be exposed to some examples of these sources in Be exposed to some examples of these sources in use at ODPEM use at ODPEM

Challenges Experienced in the utilization of ICT Challenges Experienced in the utilization of ICT Systems Systems

Ongoing Development at ODPEMOngoing Development at ODPEM

Upon completion of this module, participants will be Upon completion of this module, participants will be aware of the following:aware of the following:

The Importance of Communication in Disaster The Importance of Communication in Disaster ManagementManagement

Be aware of the various methods of information Be aware of the various methods of information communication systems used by ODPEMcommunication systems used by ODPEM

Be exposed to some examples of these sources in Be exposed to some examples of these sources in use at ODPEM use at ODPEM

Challenges Experienced in the utilization of ICT Challenges Experienced in the utilization of ICT Systems Systems

Ongoing Development at ODPEMOngoing Development at ODPEM

3

IntroductionIntroduction

Unplanned SettlementsThe global experience Increased

occurrences in natural disastersSignificant Damage in billions of

dollarsThe Challenge is therefore to predict,

forecast and manage hazards to reduce threat to life and property

Communication is therefore essential to the process of risk reduction

Unplanned SettlementsThe global experience Increased

occurrences in natural disastersSignificant Damage in billions of

dollarsThe Challenge is therefore to predict,

forecast and manage hazards to reduce threat to life and property

Communication is therefore essential to the process of risk reduction

4

DEFINITIONDEFINITION

Communication the process of sharing information a form of social interaction where at least two interacting agents share a common set of signs and language.

In a simplistic form information is sent from a sender or encoder to a receiver or decoder.

Communication the process of sharing information a form of social interaction where at least two interacting agents share a common set of signs and language.

In a simplistic form information is sent from a sender or encoder to a receiver or decoder.

5

DEFINITIONSDEFINITIONS

Communication:"Any act by which one person gives to or

receives from another person information about that person's needs,

desires, perceptions, knowledge, or affective states. Communication may be intentional or unintentional, may

involve conventional or unconventional signals, may take linguistic or

nonlinguistic forms, and may occur through spoken or other modes."

Communication:"Any act by which one person gives to or

receives from another person information about that person's needs,

desires, perceptions, knowledge, or affective states. Communication may be intentional or unintentional, may

involve conventional or unconventional signals, may take linguistic or

nonlinguistic forms, and may occur through spoken or other modes."

6

DEFINITIONDEFINITION

Information Communication Technology (ICT): is concerned with the use of technology in managing and processing and communicating information

Information Communication Technology (ICT): is concerned with the use of technology in managing and processing and communicating information

7

Communication facilitates situational awareness at all stages of the Disaster Cycle

Communication facilitates situational awareness at all stages of the Disaster Cycle

Preparedness

DISASTER

Mitigation

Response

Planning

ReconstructionRehabilitation

Recovery

GIS

8

Importance of Communication In Disaster

Management?

Importance of Communication In Disaster

Management? Raises awareness of the hazards Provides a means of alert and early warning To take preventive measures to avert

disasters Provides data for:

integration and analysis of spatial and temporal disaster data

modeling and simulation disasters more precisely.

Allows for real-time decision making and enhance emergency response capabilities.

Raises awareness of the hazards Provides a means of alert and early warning To take preventive measures to avert

disasters Provides data for:

integration and analysis of spatial and temporal disaster data

modeling and simulation disasters more precisely.

Allows for real-time decision making and enhance emergency response capabilities.

9

Importance of Communication In Disaster

Management?

Importance of Communication In Disaster

Management?Allows for vulnerable population

and disaster management persons to be aware of the details of their vulnerability

Allows for mitigation decisions to be made

Builds support for programmes and activities which support mitigation

Allows for vulnerable population and disaster management persons to be aware of the details of their vulnerability

Allows for mitigation decisions to be made

Builds support for programmes and activities which support mitigation

10

Importance of Communication In Disaster

Management?

Importance of Communication In Disaster

Management?Allows for planners to have an in

depth understanding of vulnerable population, vulnerable areas, hazards and sectors at risk

Allows for appropriate planning measures to be put in place

Allows for planners to have an in depth understanding of vulnerable population, vulnerable areas, hazards and sectors at risk

Allows for appropriate planning measures to be put in place

11

Importance of Communication In Disaster

Management?

Importance of Communication In Disaster

Management? Short Term

Early Warning Pre-impact

activities Evacuation

Long Term Land use

Planning Building

Community Resilience

Relocation

Short Term Early Warning Pre-impact

activities Evacuation

Long Term Land use

Planning Building

Community Resilience

Relocation

Medium Training Public

Awareness Shelter Program Contingency

Planning Structural

Mitigation Reconstruction

Medium Training Public

Awareness Shelter Program Contingency

Planning Structural

Mitigation Reconstruction

12

FLOOD-THREAT RECOGNITIONFLOOD-THREAT RECOGNITION

The goal of the flood-threat recognition system is to enable early identification, location, and degree of potential flood situations. The system consists of activities and arrangements, of which the primary elements are:

The goal of the flood-threat recognition system is to enable early identification, location, and degree of potential flood situations. The system consists of activities and arrangements, of which the primary elements are:

Monitoring

•Observation and recording

•Data transmission

•Data assembly and display

Forecasting

•Data processing and analysis

•Forecast preparation

•Validation and updates

13

WARNING DISSEMINATIONWARNING DISSEMINATION

Warning dissemination is the mechanism by which local officials and the effected public are informed that a flood threat condition exists.

Warning methods may include:

audio alarms, beeper systems to call key officials, the use of public radio and television Door- to-door warning sirens and public address systems.

Warning dissemination is the mechanism by which local officials and the effected public are informed that a flood threat condition exists.

Warning methods may include:

audio alarms, beeper systems to call key officials, the use of public radio and television Door- to-door warning sirens and public address systems.

14

What can be communicatedWhat can be

communicated

WHERE IS THE INCIDENT?

WHERE IS THE INCIDENT?

15

Map 5: Road Networks Impacted by Hurricane Dennis

What can be communicatedWhat can be

communicatedWHAT HAS BEEN DAMAGED?WHAT HAS BEEN DAMAGED?

16

3D MODEL OF PORT MARIA SHOWING THE HURRICANE ALLEN STORM SURGE BOUNDARY3D MODEL OF PORT MARIA SHOWING THE HURRICANE ALLEN STORM SURGE BOUNDARY

17

ODPEM and ICTODPEM and ICT

ODPEM currently utilizes a myriad of systems to aid communication.

Use dates back to the early 1980’sBuilt on rudimentary methods and

systems previously employed by the community

ODPEM currently utilizes a myriad of systems to aid communication.

Use dates back to the early 1980’sBuilt on rudimentary methods and

systems previously employed by the community

18

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION TOOLS USED AT ODPEM

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION TOOLS USED AT ODPEM

19

•Electronic Message Handling System (EMHS)

Communication Tools Utilized at ODPEM

Communication Tools Utilized at ODPEM

20

Other ICT’s currently in use Other ICT’s currently in use

Sensors

GIS

Sensors

GIS

21

GISGIS

GIS allows you to spatially represent areas at risk and the level of Risk associated with a particular Hazard.

This in turn guides decision making as to possible Mitigation measures

GIS allows you to spatially represent areas at risk and the level of Risk associated with a particular Hazard.

This in turn guides decision making as to possible Mitigation measures

22

What are sensors?What are sensors?

Physical device (most are electrical) that detects a signal suggesting a change in the normal state

Links directly/indirectly through a computer, so that the value sensed becomes human readable;

Physical device (most are electrical) that detects a signal suggesting a change in the normal state

Links directly/indirectly through a computer, so that the value sensed becomes human readable;

23

Examples in JamaicaExamples in Jamaica

Met Services Weather stations Radar Rainfall Gauges

ODPEM/WRA Telemetric Early Warning Systems and Community

Flood Warning systems Stream Flow Gauges

Seismic Unit Ground Acceleration Stations Seismic subsystem Sea-level subsystem

Met Services Weather stations Radar Rainfall Gauges

ODPEM/WRA Telemetric Early Warning Systems and Community

Flood Warning systems Stream Flow Gauges

Seismic Unit Ground Acceleration Stations Seismic subsystem Sea-level subsystem

24

CASE STUDIESCASE STUDIES

Rio Cobre, St. CatherineCave River, St. AnnPedro River, St. AnnNorth and South Gully (Montego

Bay)Annotto Bay/Fort George, St. MaryRio Grande, PortlandRio Minho, Clarendon

Rio Cobre, St. CatherineCave River, St. AnnPedro River, St. AnnNorth and South Gully (Montego

Bay)Annotto Bay/Fort George, St. MaryRio Grande, PortlandRio Minho, Clarendon

25

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

RIO COBRE Floods of June 1986 cost the country

J$415 mil. In losses Prompted the implementation of a flood

damage reduction programme: Flood Plain Mapping Improvement of flood control methods Development of Community Flood Warning

Systems Island wide Installation of Automatic Flood Warning

Systems Flood Hazard Maps

RIO COBRE Floods of June 1986 cost the country

J$415 mil. In losses Prompted the implementation of a flood

damage reduction programme: Flood Plain Mapping Improvement of flood control methods Development of Community Flood Warning

Systems Island wide Installation of Automatic Flood Warning

Systems Flood Hazard Maps

26

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

RIO COBREProject developed to improve

accuracy and reliability of predictions for flooding

Using advanced hydrologic and meteorological automated Flood Warning System

Public Awareness ProgrammesTraining in communications,

warnings and evacuation procedures

RIO COBREProject developed to improve

accuracy and reliability of predictions for flooding

Using advanced hydrologic and meteorological automated Flood Warning System

Public Awareness ProgrammesTraining in communications,

warnings and evacuation procedures

27

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

RIO COBRE The system collects rainfall and stream

flow data at sites in the upper watershed.

Information transferred electronically to a base station.

Alarm system would be used if levels were exceeded.

Locating the gauges allowed for lead time in evacuation.

Stations would be manned 24 hours.

RIO COBRE The system collects rainfall and stream

flow data at sites in the upper watershed.

Information transferred electronically to a base station.

Alarm system would be used if levels were exceeded.

Locating the gauges allowed for lead time in evacuation.

Stations would be manned 24 hours.

28

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

Cave River

Initiated due to recurrent and extensive flooding since 1900

Program implemented in two parts – 1982 and 1986

The project was seen as a pilot project that if successful could be implemented in other such affected communities.

Cave River

Initiated due to recurrent and extensive flooding since 1900

Program implemented in two parts – 1982 and 1986

The project was seen as a pilot project that if successful could be implemented in other such affected communities.

29

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

Cave River

A total of 21 caves and sinkholes between Cave Valley to Aenon Town

12 of which exist in Aenon Town alone Town is a part of well interconnected

sinkhole system, controlled by faults and fractures

Caves and sinkholes have a high capacity for receiving flood waters

Cave River

A total of 21 caves and sinkholes between Cave Valley to Aenon Town

12 of which exist in Aenon Town alone Town is a part of well interconnected

sinkhole system, controlled by faults and fractures

Caves and sinkholes have a high capacity for receiving flood waters

30

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

CAVE RIVER

The project included a hydrologic simulation study

Hydraulic Analysis used to define 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 year floods.

Implementation of a Flood Management Program Cleaning of the sinkhole Strong public awareness component

stressing maintenance responsibility Mapping

CAVE RIVER

The project included a hydrologic simulation study

Hydraulic Analysis used to define 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 year floods.

Implementation of a Flood Management Program Cleaning of the sinkhole Strong public awareness component

stressing maintenance responsibility Mapping

31

Challenges of the use of Sensors

Challenges of the use of Sensors

Reliability (e.g. incomplete information needs to be detected);

Performance: guarantees efficiency;

Maintenance and training: in-house capability;

Cost: benefit/profitable;

Security (e.g. hostile environment);

Technological upgrade;

Supporting infrastructure to maximize use of technology

Reliability (e.g. incomplete information needs to be detected);

Performance: guarantees efficiency;

Maintenance and training: in-house capability;

Cost: benefit/profitable;

Security (e.g. hostile environment);

Technological upgrade;

Supporting infrastructure to maximize use of technology

32

Information ChallengesInformation Challenges

Credibility of DataAvailability (data exists but are not

easy to locate or difficult and costly to acquire)

StandardizationMaximizing the utility of available

information Interoperability

Credibility of DataAvailability (data exists but are not

easy to locate or difficult and costly to acquire)

StandardizationMaximizing the utility of available

information Interoperability

33

Value of FEWS to communityValue of FEWS to community

The few respondents who felt the system was unreliable felt so because:

It cannot stop floodingThe system needed an alarmIt needed someone stationed theirThere was lack of communication

with ODPEM

The few respondents who felt the system was unreliable felt so because:

It cannot stop floodingThe system needed an alarmIt needed someone stationed theirThere was lack of communication

with ODPEM

34

General ValueGeneral Value

Knowing the dangerPersonal preparationEvacuation Planning with ODPEM”s

AssistanceHazard location

Knowing the dangerPersonal preparationEvacuation Planning with ODPEM”s

AssistanceHazard location

35

Success/Value of FEWSSuccess/Value of FEWS

Rio Cobre Telemetric System

Rain gauges operational since 1993 Biannual preventative maintenance since 2000 Daily television broadcast of rainfall measures

for public information since 1993 Five years of daily rainfall data providing

knowledge base for flood studies Continuous operation of one base station since

1993 Timely closure of major roadway during flood

events

Rio Cobre Telemetric System

Rain gauges operational since 1993 Biannual preventative maintenance since 2000 Daily television broadcast of rainfall measures

for public information since 1993 Five years of daily rainfall data providing

knowledge base for flood studies Continuous operation of one base station since

1993 Timely closure of major roadway during flood

events

36

Success/Value of FEWSSuccess/Value of FEWS

Rio Cobre Community Flood WarningSystem Community ownership and interest,

community participation despite political barriers

Community Awareness of causative factors of flooding

Community mobilization Cave River Community Flood Warning

System

Rio Cobre Community Flood WarningSystem Community ownership and interest,

community participation despite political barriers

Community Awareness of causative factors of flooding

Community mobilization Cave River Community Flood Warning

System

37

Success/Value of FEWSSuccess/Value of FEWS

Cave River Community Flood Warning System

Community ownership and interest, community participation despite political barriers

Community awareness of causative factors of flooding

Community mobilization Attracted Parish Council financing for the

clearing of debris to minimize the impacts of flood events

Attracted environmental projects supporting flood disaster mitigation

Cave River Community Flood Warning System

Community ownership and interest, community participation despite political barriers

Community awareness of causative factors of flooding

Community mobilization Attracted Parish Council financing for the

clearing of debris to minimize the impacts of flood events

Attracted environmental projects supporting flood disaster mitigation

38

Challenges of FEWSChallenges of FEWS

Rio Cobre Telemetry Flood Warning System

Collaboration of three government agencies under the portfolio of two Ministries without a formal agreement or framework

System upgrade Institutional roles and capacities “Ground truthing” of transmitted

observations during flood events Allocation and disbursement of government

funds Implementation of forecast capability Cost of maintaining system

Rio Cobre Telemetry Flood Warning System

Collaboration of three government agencies under the portfolio of two Ministries without a formal agreement or framework

System upgrade Institutional roles and capacities “Ground truthing” of transmitted

observations during flood events Allocation and disbursement of government

funds Implementation of forecast capability Cost of maintaining system

39

Challenges Challenges

Rio Cobre Community Flood Warning System

Threats of violence affecting maintenance and monitoring

Solid waste collection inefficient resulting in dumping in rivers

Radio telecommunications is localized and not maintained which has affected the communication between cooperating agencies and community groups during an event

Sustainability of community participation and interest

Mechanism for the collection, central storage and review of flood levels need to be put in place

Getting the local authorities to realize their stake in the system

Rio Cobre Community Flood Warning System

Threats of violence affecting maintenance and monitoring

Solid waste collection inefficient resulting in dumping in rivers

Radio telecommunications is localized and not maintained which has affected the communication between cooperating agencies and community groups during an event

Sustainability of community participation and interest

Mechanism for the collection, central storage and review of flood levels need to be put in place

Getting the local authorities to realize their stake in the system

40

Challenges Challenges

Cave River

Radio Telecommunications system is localized and not maintained which has affected the communication of rainfall and flood levels between cooperating agencies and the community

Mechanism for collection, central storage and review of rainfall and flood levels needs to be put in place.

Prediction table needs to be reviewed and updated Sustainability of community involvement

Getting the local authorities to realize their stake in the system

Cave River

Radio Telecommunications system is localized and not maintained which has affected the communication of rainfall and flood levels between cooperating agencies and the community

Mechanism for collection, central storage and review of rainfall and flood levels needs to be put in place.

Prediction table needs to be reviewed and updated Sustainability of community involvement

Getting the local authorities to realize their stake in the system

41

Ongoing DevelopmentOngoing Development

Real Time Information Exchange among partners before, during and after a disasters

Develop Community Vulnerability Ranking System (e.g. community boundaries, population density, hazard history);

Network Analysis and modeling: shortest path, nearest facilities, evacuation planning, simulation;

Real Time Information Exchange among partners before, during and after a disasters

Develop Community Vulnerability Ranking System (e.g. community boundaries, population density, hazard history);

Network Analysis and modeling: shortest path, nearest facilities, evacuation planning, simulation;

42

Ongoing DevelopmentOngoing Development

Web-mapping (report information, development of 4 ODPEM applications);

Re-establish telecommunications facilities

Link GIS with Electronic Message Handling System

Use of GIS to conduct Modelling

Instituting SMS Texting

Web-mapping (report information, development of 4 ODPEM applications);

Re-establish telecommunications facilities

Link GIS with Electronic Message Handling System

Use of GIS to conduct Modelling

Instituting SMS Texting

43

Thank YouThank You

Office Of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management

Tel: 876-928-5111 Fax: 876-9285503Email: rjackson@odpem.org.jm

url: http://www.odpem.org.jm

Office Of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management

Tel: 876-928-5111 Fax: 876-9285503Email: rjackson@odpem.org.jm

url: http://www.odpem.org.jm