As evidenced by a survey of Civil Protection authorities presented at the International Conference on Civil Protection and Space Telecommunications at Palais du Luxembourg in Paris France on 29 April 2005, satellite is regarded as complementary to terrestrial technologies and useful in overcoming some of their limitations.
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These same authorities recognise the need for a Europe-wide approach in obtaining the potential benefits of satellite systems and harmonising different projects and transmission technologies. (see 'Satellite saves lives' under related links at the top-right of this page). |
The French Civil Protection Authorities and ESA have specifically identified four key points, namely:
- Why satellite communications have a key role to play.
- Why a Europe-wide programme is necessary and advantageous.
- Why any such programme must be user-driven by the civil protection agencies.
- What is the possible content of such a programme and what are the first steps to its creation.
The rationale
Satellite communications will play a key role in future Public Protection Disaster Relief (PPDR) operations. Satellite can offer a solution to many shortcomings of current terrestrial systems. Disasters often strike unpredictably, terrestrial communication links are often disrupted during the first hours of major disasters and quickly re-establishing these links is a prime concern for Disaster Protection teams.
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Furthermore, equipping rescue workers with the enhanced capabilities for future disaster relief operations, such as active video-streaming will require bandwidth exceeding even that of current terrestrial networks. To provide the necessary level of support, a satellite communications system must therefore be robust enough for a wide range of circumstances, provide ubiquitous coverage to support activities wherever they are located, secure and interoperable with existing networks and current users. |
User driven
It is clear that such a programme must be user driven by the Civil Protection agencies to insure proper interoperability and other conditions. Although Civil Protection authorities have developed a set of procedures which are often effective in reducing the consequences of disasters, the networks are developed on national levels. Differing management procedures and financing result in a lack of harmonisation and leads to interoperability issues.
Future solutions will have to be both effective and cost-efficient. This requires seamless integration of a variety of technologies including telephony, Internet, satellite as well as others. Infrastructures such as GSM, PSTN and UMTS also need to be complemented by dedicated infrastructures specifically designed to meet the operational needs of PPDR users.
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Satellite systems have an essential role to play in improving PPDR capabilities, to enhance public communication networks, as well as both private and professional mobile radio networks and distribute alert capabilities. This can efficiently be achieved when participation of Civil Protection agencies has been secured at all stages up to operational implementation. |
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To achieve this, the French Civil Protection Authorities and ESA suggest a programme of actions which will complement existing systems and overcome some of their limitation. In particular they will support and supplement efforts at national, regional and local levels, establish a framework for effective and rapid co-operation between national and Civil Protection services.
The way forward
The French Civil Protection Authorities and ESA are currently setting up a series of dedicated meetings to streamline the necessary programme. The user driven nature of this approach is a necessary condition to suitably answer the demand of European Civil Protection authorities.
To read more about what ESA has been doing in the area of Disaster relief click under related links at the top-right of this page.
All images ESA
