EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION PREPAREDNESS IN AFRICA EXPLOITING COMMUNICATION SATELLITES BY LAWAL L.S & CHATWIN C.R FOR THE 2014 GLOBAL SPACE APPLICATIONS (GLAC) CONFERENCE AT UNESCO HEADQUARTERS, PARIS, FRANCE 2-4 JUNE, 2014

OVERVIEW INTRODUCTION COMMON PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY NETWORKS, PRE AND POST- DISASTER MANAGEMENT GROWING NEEDS FOR EFFECTIVE DISASTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS OVERVIEW OF A PILOT PROJECT EXPLOITING COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE. CONCLUSIONS

The ICT readiness of any nation is a function of level of networked telecommunications infrastructure and a determinant for the 3As for universal access goals and digital inclusion. The 3As are: AVAILABILITY AFFORDABILITY ACCESSIBILITY Convergence in communications networks through integrated connectivities (Satellite, fiber optics, radio s etc) are required to optimize national public security and emergency networks especially in Africa which still remains the least wired continent in the world. INTRODUCTION

The importance of a very effective and efficient Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure as a first line of emergency response has come to the fore considering mankind’s vulnerability to prevailing natural and man-made disasters in 21 st century. INTRODUCTION RECENT NYANYA MOTOR PARK BOOM BLAST IN ABUJA-NIGERIA MAN-MADE SCENES OF FLOOD IN NIGERIA RECENTLY NATURAL

INTRODUCTION PREVAILING RELIEF STRATEGIES Recognized only

Lack of sufficient spectrum resources for public safety and emergency communications network. Interoperability issue due to incompatible radio equipment and use of multiple frequency bands. Reluctance to adopt new emerging technologies with high data rate to support video, map and data applications. 20 th century bureaucracies are unable to handle 21 st century disasters. Radio spectrum dedication for occasional use during emergencies is not efficient in 21 st century or sustainable considering the upsurge of spectrum demands for commercial and telecommunications need. Effectiveness of early warning systems to a wider audience and public on awareness in realizing their vulnerability to disasters. Operational & organizational hierarchy and symmetry of assembling emergency response teams. COMMON PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY NETWORKS, PRE AND POST-DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Government of all nations recognize the pivotal role of ICT in socio-economic development, sustainability of law & order, crime prevention and combat and timely emergency and crisis management. Communication satellite complemented with variants of terrestrial wireless technologies offers a rapid strategic low- cost way of bridging the digital hiatus with inadequate terrestrial telecommunication infrastructure especially during crises and emergencies. GROWING NEEDS FOR EFFECTIVE DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Poorly wired countries with inadequate terrestrial infrastructure require space-based ICT infrastructure (Communication Satellite) for advanced planning and disaster preparedness. Developed countries with adequate terrestrial ICT infrastructure still require a space-based system for strategic needs, as established ICT infrastructure can be rendered inoperable. Countries with high risks of natural disasters require advanced planning in pre and post disaster relief operations for instant delivery of emergency communications infrastructure. GROWING NEEDS FOR EFFECTIVE DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A public safety and emergency communications network must be simple to operate, robust, reliable, interoperable, secure, cost-effective, ubiquitous and broadband-based to support value-added and high throughput applications such as Maps, Geographic Information System (GIS), Location-Based Services (LBS), Video, Tele-medicine, e-health care services etc. ENHANCED HYBRID SOLUTION EXPLOITING COMMUNICATION SATELLITE INTEGERATED WITH VARIANTS OF TERRESTRIAL WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES.

SYSTEMS OVERVIEW OF ENHANCED HYBRID SOLUTION EXPLOITING COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE INTEGERATED TO TERRESTRIAL WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES: CASE STUDY OF NATIONAL PUBLIC SECURITY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

CONCLUSION  Effective communication as a Coordinated First-Response (CFR) during a crisis situation is a key factor for success in crisis & emergency management.  A dedicated National Public Security Communications Network Pilot project in Nigeria demonstrates a model that not only addresses emergency preparedness but the broadband communication needs of emergency and disaster recovery while leveraging off strategic commercial and non-commercial telecommunication needs of the state and citizens thus addressing: the sustainability factor, optimization of spectrum utilization, digital and financial inclusion.

CONCLUSION NigComSat-1R is a strategic continental ICT infrastructure with far reaching impacts on not only emergency and disaster networks but also in enhancing telecommunications, broadcasting, the Internet, multimedia, real time monitoring services and navigation in Africa.

CONCLUSION