Advanced Mobile Communications for Emergency Management and Crisis Response
Michael Bowman · 2008
Reliable communications can be a matter of life-and-death during an emergency or crisis. First responder communication system interoperability, coverage, and flexibility are among the most critical issues evident from events such as the terrorist attacks of September 11 2001, the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004, and Hurricane Katrina. Murray State University and research partners are addressing these issues under grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Cooperating with government officials and first responders, the team has prototyped, demonstrated, and operated robust yet affordable mobile communications systems particularly well suited for field operation in rural environments and small communities. Work has progressed beyond demonstrations to deployments with first responders for actual emergencies, and initial sales of the systems. The developed system is called the Man-portable and Interoperable, Tactical-OperationsCenter (MITOC). MITOC is a suite of mobile communications gear that upon arrival at an emergency is quickly transfigured into a robust communications infrastructure including satellite communications, wireless LANs, Internet access, radio interoperability, VoIP, and other services essential for organizing and executing crisis response. Work is currently focused on: the integration of rapidly expandable coverage using mesh network technology that stretches the MITOC wireless bubble right to the site of an emergency; advanced services and applications; and integration into other emergency response systems. This paper describes requirements for mobile communications for emergency management; the current capability of MITOC; initial manufacturing and sales of the current system; and future research directions. Background During a typical day in today’s world, we sit at our desks and communicate with the rest of the world with a few mouse clicks or by pressing a few buttons on a phone. If we move out to the parking lot wireless networks and mobile phones maintain our connectivity. Even in the most remote areas, satellite phones or briefcase sized satellite terminals can keep us connected. These systems have become the backbone for business, government, and social interaction. Yet in just an instant a natural disaster, industrial accident, or terror attack can leave us disconnected. Reliable communications can be a matter of life-and-death during an