Technology Response to Hurricane Katrina and Rita Greg Tune, Lead Program Manager, Disaster Assessment/GIS

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Unprecedented Response

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Unprecedented Response

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Voice Communications 19,000 plus cell phones in use from various vendors Three Hundred Eight-Nine orders were placed for T-1 connections in shelters for family linking and communication NCS - Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP) proved invaluable in completing these orders, most of which were handled in 12 hours or less instead of the normal days or weeks.

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Voice Communications The Red Cross VSAT system terminated about 5,000 phone calls a week at the height of the response An additional 3,000 phones calls were terminated daily from the shelters with service and technology donated by CISCO

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Collaboration A multi-vendor task force was convened by the Red Cross to address the communication needs of the over-whelming number of shelters in the affected region. Partners included: CISCO, SBC, Avaya, Microsoft, Intel, AMD and others. Over 10 million dollars worth of service and equipment was donated

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Portable and Handheld Voice Satellite 500+ units deployed during the response to Katrina/Rita Provided instant logistical communications for supplies Multi-vendors used to prevent network overload

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Mobile Satellite Data 50+ Automatic Vehicle Location units Mobile Data Terminals in feeding units and kitchens

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Nurses & Security Guards on the way

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University VSAT Network 80 node VSAT network Terminating 5,000+ telephone calls per week Providing office like technologies such as , fax, web based applications and videoconferencing

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University VSAT Network Overview 2 LES located in Falls Church, VA and Austin, TX TDMA Network utilizing iDirect technology Currently allocated 9.6Mhz of bandwidth on PanAmSat Galaxy 10R 24/7 Network Operation Center staffed primarily by volunteers.

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Office like environment via Satellite

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Diaspora led to need for non-traditional system Collaboration with ICRC on initial website 800-LOVED-1s Deployment of staff with cell and satellite phones to shelters Katrinasafe.org –Collaboration with Microsoft and San Diego Supercomputer Center –Gathered data from multitude of websites Results (11/02/05) –Over 333,850 evacuee records on Katrinasafe.org –Over 214,200 calls Family Linking Via Satellite

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University VSAT Platforms Mobile (Emergency Communications Response Vehicles) Quick Deploy Fixed

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Extending 2-way Radio using satellite WWL-TV New Orleans 500’

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Twelve 2-way radio sites installed and linked via satellite using TelexVega VoIP Products Coverage from Mobile Bay to Jasper TX Utilized donated commercial tower space

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Disaster & Welfare Broadcast Utilized XM technology to disseminate important Client & Staff Updates DIRECTV provided 24/7 “Hurricane Katrina / Rita Information” Channel

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Volunteers are the key to the Response The Response Technology Team utilizes Volunteers with a technology background to deploy, manage, and support all aspects of satellite communications. Volunteers go through a hour training session covering many technology solutions that can be used in the relief operation

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University GIS via Satellite remote sensing data from FEMA/NGA

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University GIS data was available via the web

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Google Earth

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Communication Support Slidell, LA – Approximately 20 hours after power and all communications was lost, a Red Cross ECRV arrived and provided communications capabilities for the entire parish for two and a half weeks. Support was provided for the Mayor, Fire, Police and other departments critical to the response.

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Issues Availability of additional equipment & activation can be overwhelmed Long-term power outages/Lack of Fuel for Generators VSAT interoperability between partner agency to allow shared use of resources Flexibility for changing user needs & circumstances KISS

National Conference on Emergency Communications Systems, George Washington University Response Technology Partners: