2

for Communication During and After a Hurricane

Prepared for:

Dr. Julie Hagemann

Representative for Disaster Relief Agencies

Prepared by:

Team AP

ENGL 216 Technical Writing

December 10, 2017

Figure 1. The first images from Dominica show the scale of the damage caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017 (AFP/Getty Images in Phipps, 2017).

Recommended Technology

for Communication During and Directly After a Hurricane

For this project, we were asked to recommend a technology that can be used to help with disaster relief, either for relief agencies to provide or for private citizens to buy. We chose to focus on technology that can be used during and directly after a hurricane to maintain communications. Typically, during this time, communications is poor, which impedes rescue, recovery, and relief. So we wanted to research how to improve communications in this situation.

In this report, we address several questions regarding communication access during and after hurricanes using a variety of resources. We believe that more individuals in hurricane-prone areas should acquire a satellite cell phone so that communication can be increased during and directly after a hurricane. With satellite phones, rescue workers can communicate with each other and with victims more easily, and families can more easily stay in touch. In addition, safety alerts can be sent out at a much quicker pace.

Thank you for giving us the authorization to complete this study and make available our recommendations.

Executive Summary

Dr. Julie Hagemann, a Representative for Disaster Relief Agencies, requested that we research technologies that can help speed up disaster relief. We decided to focus on the lack of communication during and after a hurricane in hurricane-prone areas, such as Dominica in the Caribbean Sea. We recommend satellite cellphone technology because it can best handle communication problems during a natural disaster.

We have spent the last seven weeks researching answers to these six questions:

· What is needed during an emergency?

· Why is communication important during a disaster?

· What is the impact of natural disasters on communication technology and processes?

· What is the best satellite phone to use during and after a hurricane?

· How much does it cost?

· What accessories are needed?

Communications of all kinds are poor during a disaster. Cell phone technology does not work in situations where there is no electricity or when cell towers are down. Information sent through radio and newspapers—if it can be disseminated at all—can get misinterpreted. Therefore, we looked at different satellite phones and found the cost for those. We discovered that satellite phones are the best communication tool because they can work even in terrible weather conditions.

We recommend that disaster relief agencies purchase and make widely available any one of the BlueCosmo satellite phones. BlueCosmo is a top provider for satellite phones and phone plans. We also recommend that households in hurricane-prone areas rent or purchase their own satellite phones.

Introduction

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of our report is to research communication technology that would aid relief agencies and people during and after a natural disaster, such as a hurricane. Natural disasters can happen at any time, and people need the right product that will help with communication. We have determined that satellite phones (also called “sat phones”) would be the most beneficial technology to help with response during a natural disaster.

Scope of Research

We researched communication technology and determined that sat phones were the best option for communicating during and after a hurricane. We answered the following questions:

· What is needed during an emergency?

· Why is communication important during a disaster?

· What is the impact of natural disasters on communication technology and processes?

· What is the best satellite phone to use during and after a hurricane?

· How much does it cost?

· What accessories are needed?

Communication During and After a Hurricane

To understand the benefits of satellite phones, it is helpful to understand why communication is important during a disaster and how a disaster, such as a hurricane, impacts communication systems.

Natural disasters and their impact on communications

Yonatan (2017) points out that communication is essential in a disaster, but “standard communications channels are some of the first things to fail once catastrophe hits” (Communication Issues During a Disaster section, para. 1). For example, strong winds, heavy rain, and inevitable flooding can cut off signals to important wireless links, damage cables between cell towers, or topple cell towers. Moreover, networks can be overwhelmed with the number of people calling for emergency help or rescue and checking on loved ones.

Importance of communication during a disaster

In a Disaster Recovery Journal article, Richards (2015) says “communications systems during a natural disaster can be the difference between life and death for those affected. Locating those who may be trapped or injured becomes nearly impossible for emergency responders, and rescue efforts are further complicated by the inability to coordinate via standard methods of communication” (para.2). Richards (2015) also says that “in the immediate hours and days following a disaster, the top priority for emergency responders is to prevent any further loss of life, and if possible, mitigate damage to property and public infrastructure. During this time, it is critical that rescue workers and government officials coordinate their efforts and locate victims who may be injured or trapped, but relief efforts can be paralyzed or severely delayed if the responding agencies are unable to communicate with one another” or with victims (para.9). Figures 1 and 2 show how much damage a category 5 hurricane can do; it is easy to see that communication is easily impacted.

Figure 2. Roseau, the capital of Dominica, suffered devastating damage from Hurricane Maria (Getty Images, Phipps, 2017).

Consequences of Communications Infrastructure Failure

Federal, municipal, and independent agencies try to work together during major relief efforts. However, this is a complex task because often organizations have their own way of doing things so agreeing on things is difficult. Richards (2015) points out that “when network connections are limited or unavailable, effective coordination becomes further complicated, and the lack of an overarching command structure can create miscommunications and delays in action. In time-sensitive situations such as these, even those few minutes lost can mean the difference between life and death for victims in need of rescue” (para.10).

Spread of Bad Information and Confusion

A lot of information should flow out of disaster zones on both public and private networks. In disaster areas, people often have limited access to communications and reports. According to Richards (2015), “while not as dangerous as a delay in emergency response efforts, the rumors that may result from the imbalance of communication channels here has the potential to create a great deal of confusion. Without an organized flow of information, conflicting reports of casualties, damage to property, and other dangers can spread misinformation and panic at a time when organization and level-headedness are key to carrying out rescue operations as quickly and efficiently as possible” (para.12).

Given all this, we need to look for communication technology that can help with the problems that come with communication during and after a hurricane. After doing research, we believe satellite phones meet these requirements. Below we will give recommendations on which satellite phone is the best to buy and why.

Recommendations

In a 2013 Forbes article, Tobias explains how satellite phones work: “Sat phones rely on a network of satellites that are either fixed above the Equator (Geostationary), or in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) anywhere from 500 to 1,000 miles above the earth” (para. 2). He goes on to note that “sat phones are rarely affected by violent storms and, depending upon their system architecture, work virtually anywhere in the world. The devices weigh a few ounces and may be about the same size as your cell phone” (para. 2). This versatility is the main reason we recommend satellite phone technology.

Tobias (2013) points out that “traditional sat phones buyers are government and public safety agencies, energy companies, shippers, and search and rescue organizations. But an increasing number of private individuals are buying sat phones as an insurance policy against losing their capability to communicate with the world” (para.3). Our recommendation is that more homeowners in hurricane-prone areas purchase or rent satellite phones.

Cost of Leading Satellite Phones

Although satellite phones may seem very expensive, one or two per household is sufficient. BlueCosmo is a top provider of satellite phones. According to the BlueCosmo website (n.d.), prices range between $699 and $1,295 (see Figure 3) and monthly airtime plans range from $30 to $47 per month. If a family cannot afford to buy a phone at the time of an impending disaster, they can rent one. If the phone needs repair, BlueCosmo also does repairs.

Figure 3. A comparison of various satellite phone options (BlueCosmo Satellite Communications, n.d.).

BlueCosmo Satellite Communications (n.d.) offers a variety of satellite phones with various options to ensure people can always stay in communication with others.

Satellite phones can both make calls and receive calls, and it is possible to browse the internet with one.

Information Needed When Purchasing a Satellite Phone

Here is some advice about buying a satellite phone:

Accessories

· We recommend you buy an extra battery. Batteries are needed to charge the phone during a hurricane when the electricity is out.

· We recommend you buy docking stations when the handsets are not in use, especially indoors.

Sim Card

· A Sim card is not a required. It depends on how much money you are willing to spend.

Internet Availability

· Satellite phones have internet availability, but the data can be slow. Since the main purpose for the satellite phone is for emergency use, it is best not to browse the internet, as the data can be very slow. However, if you need to browse the internet on your satellite phone, the Globalstar brand is the best option.

Rent

· If a satellite phone is needed for the hurricane season, we recommend you buy one. If the satellite phone is needed only when the hurricane is approaching, then it can be rented.

Charges

· For individuals who live outside the U.S., the service rate may seem expensive. While satellite phones are expensive, they are also necessary, so homeowners should think of them as they would other infrastructure in the house, such as electricity or internet service. As long as they stay within Canada, the US or the Caribbean, BlueCosmo customers do not have to pay roaming charges.

· For lower cost, the Globalstar brand is more efficient.

There is no doubt that due to global warming, there is a rise in disasters, especially hurricanes, not only in number but also in intensity. Instead of a category 3 or 4 hurricane striking years apart, they now strike within months of each other. There is now a negative impact on the human habitat. The death toll has risen tremendously, and communication during and directly after such disasters has become a great concern. In this light, to improve communication during and directly after a hurricane, we recommend that satellite phones be widely used. Then families can communicate with one another, and relief teams will be quickly alerted to the need for immediate assistance.

For families living where there are often hurricanes, such as the Caribbean, we recommend that every household have a satellite phone. It would be more efficient to purchase one, but it is also possible to rent one.

Conclusion

Major natural disasters, like hurricanes, can destroy people’s property and “those who need aid will require satellite phones to communicate their situation, as well as confirm their location” (“Satellite Phone Experiences,” n.d., para. 3). Having a good disaster response plan can help people through a crisis. Maintaining access to communication should be a key part of the plan. Satellite phones are lifesavers during hurricanes because when cell phones do not work, satellite phones will. Satellite phones are the best solution for quick and continuous communication during and directly after a hurricane. Other technology forms of communication get interrupted at the time of disaster. The more individuals own a satellite phone, the more fluent communication will remain during the disaster.

References

BlueCosmo Satellite Communications. (n.d.). Satellite phones. Retrieved from

http://www.bluecosmo.com/satellite-phones

Phipps, C. (2017, September 21). Hurricane Maria: Dominica 'in daze' after storm leaves island cut off from world. theguardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/21/dominica-daze-hurricane-maria-island-caribbean-rescue#img-1

Richards, C. (2015, November 12). When communications infrastructure fails during a disaster. Disaster Recovery Journal. Retrieved from https://www.drj.com/articles/online-exclusive/when-communications-infrastructure-fails-during-a-disaster.html

Satellite phone experiences during tragedies/disasters. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.globalcomsatphone.com/phone-articles/satellite-phone-experiences

Tobias, M. W. (2013, March 12). How and when to buy satellite phones. Retrieved from

https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcwebertobias/2013/03/18/how-and-when-to-buy-a-satellite-phone/#7fbfd6d3647d

Yonatan, R. (2017, August 28). How to communicate during a disaster [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://getvoip.com/blog/2017/08/28/communicate-during-disaster/