1. ITU activities for Emergency Communications and Disaster Relief
Global Standards Collaboration (GSC) 14
DOCUMENT #:
GSC14-XXXX-nn
FOR:
PRESENTATION
SOURCE:
ITU
AGENDA ITEM:
PLEN 6.2
CONTACT(S):
R. Scholl, K. Hughes
ITU activities for Emergency Communications and Disaster Relief
Kevin Hughes, BR
Reinhard Scholl, TSB
International Telecommunication Union
Geneva, July 2009

2. Highlights: Radiocommunication (1)
Prediction and Detection: Meteorological services (Met-Aids, Met-Sat); Earth Exploration Satellite Service
Alerting: Amateur service; Broadcasting services (terrestrial and satellite); Fixed services (terrestrial and satellite); Mobile services (land, satellite, maritime)
Damage assessment and Relief: Amateur service; Broadcasting services (terrestrial and satellite); Fixed services (terrestrial and satellite); Mobile services (land, satellite, maritime); Earth Exploration Satellite Service
Services involved in each of the phases of a disaster situation
Regulatory role: RR, Resolution 647 (WRC-07)
Standardization role: production of Recs
Regulatory role
Standardization role
Geneva, July 2009

3. Highlights: Radiocommunication (2)
Databases relating to safety of life and rescue operations
Available frequencies for use in emergency situations and guidelines on the management of radiocommunications (Res 647 (WRC-07), Res ITU-R 53)
Maritime mobile Access and retrieval System (MARS)
Regionally Harmonized Frequency Bands for Public Protection and Disaster Relief
preferred frequency bands listed in Res 646 (WRC-03)
Study Group activities
Spectrum management guidelines
Recommendations, Reports, Handbooks providing technical basis for development and operation of the radiocommunication services used in the various phases of emergency and disaster situations
Recs: refer to PDRR S , MOBDIS, BO
Geneva, July 2009

4. Highlights: Telecom standards
Add-ons to existing system specifications:
Early warning delivery (X.1303/CAP)
System override for emergency message broadcast: audio, audiovisual, text
Extension of short text messaging to fixed telephones (circuit-switched and IP/soft-phones)
Definition of methods to address multiple languages and communication for persons with disabilities, in particular for IP-based systems
Definition of object identifiers for X.1303/CAP messages (OASIS / WMO / ITU) New
Definition of pre-allocated “channel” number for 3G mobile cell broadcast use (Ongoing)
Geneva, July 2009

5. Strategic Direction (1)
Stimulate ITU-R Study Groups to develop technical bases for telecommunication and radio systems employed in the prediction, detection, alerting and relief phases, including guidelines relating to the management of radiocommunications in such situations
ITU/BR response to Resolution 647 (WRC-07) by establishing a database of available frequencies/ frequency bands for use in emergency situations, based on information provided by administrations (see BR Circular Letters 281 and 283)
Geneva, July 2009

6. Strategic Direction (2)
New standards should build (=add-on) on existing infrastructure, not require a total revamp
For new systems (e.g. NGN): emergency response functionality built-in from the start
Coordination with all stakeholders
PCP-TDR (Partnership Coordination Panel)
Governments, industry, IGOs, NGOs
Assistance to other groups
E.g.: assistance for spectrum management in disaster relief deployments by UN OCHA / WGET
Participation in events
WMO Common Alerting Protocol (CAP, X.1303) Implementation Workshop (Geneva, June 2009).
Geneva, July 2009

7. Challenges
Consistently involve all stakeholders, in particular users of emergency communications
Diversified community, not only traditional telecom experts
Standards work is contribution-driven
Sensitive area (as it involves sovereignty, security, etc)
Respect national sovereignty when developing specifications
National regulatory frameworks
Encourage wider deployment of standards
Education, awareness and preparedness
Not a purely technical field.
Geneva, July 2009

8. Next Steps/Actions
Continue updating of database of frequencies/ frequency bands based on membership responses to BR Circular Letters re: Res. 647 (WRC-07)
Ensure ITU Study Groups take due account of emergency communications and disaster relief in their activities and initiate/enhance activities where necessary
Encourage all relevant stake-holders to recognize the vital role that telecommunications and radio systems play in disaster management
Encourage collaboration between ITU and other international organizations' involve with disaster relief
Geneva, July 2009