Technology use in Disaster Management

Abstract

Disaster management, as a part of emergency management, constitutes numerous activities aimed at enhancing efficiency in disaster response, recovery, and preparedness. In recent decades, technology has been embraced to help in disaster management. Information technology systems play a critical role in enhancing disaster response. This paper focuses on the use of technology in disaster response with particular focus on the Airborne Ladar Imaging Research Testbed in disaster response. It analyzes its uses and efficiency in emergency response. Additionally, it discusses some of the critical issues and strategic questions that arise regarding technological use in disaster management.
Technology use in Disaster Management

Each year, thousands of people die globally from natural disasters, and millions of others are left to deal with injuries and losses. Disasters, especially natural disasters are often unavoidable. Different factors, most of which people have no control over, influence their occurrence. Essentially, natural disasters have always been a part of the world and will continue to be in future centuries. The fact that disasters are here to stay does not, however, mean that more people should continue to suffer and die. Technology has become an essential part of disaster management. This paper analyzes the use of the technology Airborne Ladar Imaging Research Testbed (ALIRT) in disaster response.

Technologies for disaster relief

Over the years, practitioners in the field have developed technologies to improve disaster management. Some of the technologies that have been embraced in disaster management include drones and robots. Drones and robots help in the collection and transmission of information regarding survivors to the emergency personnel (Minges, 2019). They also drop humanitarian aid and necessities such as food and water amid a disaster. Another important technology is the serval project which facilitates direct communication between mobile devices even without network coverage.

Other technology inventions used in disaster management include The Trilogy Emergency Relief Application (TERA), NASA Finder, and Airborne Ladar Imaging Research Testbed. TERA facilitates two-way communication between survivors and rescuers. NASA Finder, on the other hand, detects human heartbeats through rubble and concrete and is particularly useful in earthquakes, bombings, and collapse of buildings. This paper, however, seeks to analyze the use of ALIRT in disaster response and the critical and strategic issues surrounding its usage. It is critical to note that disaster response technologies are often developed after a disaster and are thus inspired by the distinct issues that may have been encountered in the disaster.

Airborne Ladar Imaging Research Testbed

Airborne Ladar Imaging Research Testbed is an information technology system. Unlike many response technologies that are often developed to aid in a particular type of disaster, MIT Lincoln Laboratory developed this system to help in numerous disasters. The three-dimensional imaging feature facilitates the collection of high-resolution maps and ground images. It is usable in different terrains and can collect data from wide areas. The system can collect ground data from altitudes of up to 9000m (Knowlton, 2011). Aside from ALIRT’s ability to collect data from high altitudes, the system also has a high data collection rate. These features, along with the system's clarity and precision have enhanced its efficiency and effectiveness in data collection.

ALIRT is used by civilians, the military, and geographical experts. Its usage in different areas is facilitated by its generation of detailed maps revealing natural and manmade structures that commercial systems cannot produce. These features are also important in emergency response. ALIRT is usable during and after natural disasters.  Through this system, the response team can analyze the conditions of roads to determine whether rescuers and survivors can access particular zones. They can pick the routes to use to reach survivors faster. Through ALIRT, rescue teams can also spot helicopter landing zones, for instance, during floods, to get help to the people (Knowlton, 2011).

ALIRT can help track the migration of survivors making it easier to track them during the emergency. It essentially allows the team to tell where the people are and determine ways to reach them effectively. ALIRT can also help organizations to dispatch vital resources such as water, food, medical supplies, and tents to survivors during disasters. In times of floods, it also helps locate temporary housing locations for survivors. Although it does not support direct communication between rescuers and survivors, it helps rescuers reach the survivors and spares them critical resources such as funds and time (Leach, et al., 2015). These are resources that would otherwise go into tracing survivors, determining the trafficability of routes, and finding helicopter landing spots.

The ladar testbed is an ideal technology tool to use in disaster relief. This is not just because of its ease of data collection, but also due to its additional features that enhance its usability. The system can operate during the day and at night. It uses low power, is eye-safe, beam pointing mechanism, and has fast-scanning technology (Albota, et al., 2018). The system’s efficiency translates to the faster generation of results consequently reducing the costs of disaster relief. In disaster management, time is critical. Lives depend on it, and this system is very effective in time-critical situations. ALIRT’s effectiveness and efficiency in disaster management are not questionable. It has been applied in different cases since its incorporation. Even so, certain critical issues and strategic questions regarding the use of technology in disaster response still exist.

Critical issues and strategic questions

The current information technologies and technology tools and devices have changed the way organizations respond to emergencies. ALIRT, for instance, has reshaped the way organizations collect situational information. Despite the changes and the increased efficiency in disaster response, discussions regarding the implementation of these technologies are scarce. There lacks general understanding of the application and implementation of these technologies with particular disaster management strategies. Essentially, there lacks a holistic strategy guiding disaster management staff on the usage of these technologies. There are no clear directions on who should use which technology in what situation. This is a critical issue given that regardless of how effective a particular technology is, if the staff cannot effectively use it, the technology is useless.

Given the importance of these technologies in disaster management, it is essential to establish the usability of technology tools and devices. The government, in response to this critical issue, recommends the development of an Information and Communications Technology-Business Continuity Plan. The ICT-BCP is intended to guide officials on the usage of IT in disaster and emergency management and facilitate ICT continuation after the emergency. According to Sakuraia and Murayama (2019), however, this plan is not adequate to promote understanding on how, when, and why to use IT among relief staff especially when responding to unexpected events. 

Another critical issue surrounding the use of technology in emergency management is the spread and availability of these technologies. Some technologies are available in developed urban areas and unavailable in rural areas. For instance, technologies that require 5G network coverage may be lacking in areas with lower coverage. Essentially, the availability of technology varies on different bases like geographical regions. The development status of a nation and the economic background of an area can also be determinants of the availability of technology (Sakurai & Murayama, 2019).

Conclusion

Disaster management helps enhance preparedness, facilitates the creation of mitigation strategies, and promotes effective response to minimize the potential impacts of disasters on communities and community members. Technology plays a critical role in disaster aid relief, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of first responders. Different technological tools and platforms aid in disaster relief.  Different information technology tools and devices such as ALIRT help enhance efficiency in disaster response. Technology has changed disaster management. However, issues such as the lack of a holistic strategy for the implementation of these technologies and the unavailability of the technology in particular regions are causes of concern and worry.  They limit the usage of these technologies and may result in time wastages and expensive costs in cases where they would have made things significantly easier to handle.

Technology use in Disaster Management Outline

•  Disaster management, as a part of emergency management, constitutes numerous activities aimed at enhancing efficiency in disaster response, recovery, and preparedness.
• Each year, thousands of people die globally from natural disasters, and millions of others are left to deal with injuries and losses. Disasters, especially natural disasters are often unavoidable.
• Over the years, practitioners in the field have developed technologies to improve disaster management.
• Other technology inventions used in disaster management include The Trilogy Emergency Relief Application (TERA), NASA Finder, and Airborne Ladar Imaging Research Testbed.
• Airborne Ladar Imaging Research Testbed is an airborne 3D imaging laser radar information technology system.
• ALIRT is used by civilians, the military, and geographical experts. Its usage in different areas is facilitated by its generation of detailed maps revealing natural and manmade structures that commercial systems cannot produce.
• ALIRT can help track the migration of survivors making it easier to track them during the emergency.
• The ladar testbed is an ideal technology tool to use in disaster relief.
• The current information technologies and technology tools and devices have changed the way organizations respond to emergencies.
• Given the importance of these technologies in disaster management, it is essential to establish the usability of technology tools and devices.
• Another critical issue surrounding the use of technology in emergency management is the spread and availability of these technologies.
• Disaster management helps enhance preparedness, facilitates the creation of mitigation strategies, and promotes effective response to minimize the potential impacts of disasters on communities and community members.