Already a big success in aiding Canadian fire-fighters as demonstrated in 2004 (see related links: REMSAT Provides Critical Solution in Summer Fire Season), Phase 3 of the REMSAT II (Real-time Emergency Management via Satellite) Project (related links) expands the capabilities of the earlier system. Phase 3 has recently completed trials in the western Canadian province of British Columbia to demonstrate its effectiveness in aiding relief during times of flood.
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The purpose of the trials was to determine if REMSAT II could adapt to and enhance the British Columbian disaster response structure as well as communicate in remote areas. Floods caused by heavy rainfall (image right) and overflowing rivers can cover a much wider area than forest fires. To provide aid in these events, command and control must be enhanced. |
Phase 3 of REMSAT II achieved this by providing radio interoperability between provincial agencies and local governments. Although the basic architecture of REMSAT remained unchanged (for a description of REMSAT II architecture see: REMSAT II Fire and medical under related links), enhancements were made, which allowed improved support to management functions such as updating situation reports.
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Equally important was REMSAT II's ability to track the location of field staff and their equipment, who must often work in remote area in dangerous situations and where roads or entire bridges can be destroyed. |
"This is extremely important to those people working in the field", explained Mr Kevin Haukaas of Selkirk Systems Ltd. "REMSAT introduces us to new concepts of technology and not only extends the duties that we can perform during disaster operations, but also brings another dimension of safety."
Command and operational communications were supported from a local command centre to a Provincial command centre located several hundred kilometres away.
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These centres (image right) map the progress of the disaster and provide up-to-date situation. Both digital and video images were fed back to these centres from crews working in the field who in turn received much needed technical assistance. |
The trials proved that the equipment could be quickly and easily set-up and could operate with stand alone sustainability providing both high-speed Ku band satellite communications and VoIP (Voice over IP).
In all areas which were required of it, REMSAT II performed well, providing enrichments and new functionality to the existing response mechanisms. Real-time tracking of personnel enhanced safety and the reporting and mapping improved the situational awareness of command staff.
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REMSAT not only improved on previous methods, but added the ability of geo-referencing incidents, so that command staff and field crews could pinpoint the exact location of incidents. Video-streaming also proved valuable. |
Mr Dwayne Meredith, Manager of Natural Hazard Mitigation for PEP, the British Columbia Provincial Emergency Program stated upon completion of the trials, "There is a considerable and immediate application for REMSAT II in not just the flood domain but also other emergency management applications. PEP intends to apply REMSAT II to its existing emergency management."
Mr Raymond Miles of Telesat, the company behind the project which is supported by ESA stated, "ESA support has been invaluable and helped Telesat expand REMSAT from its initial beginnings."
To read more about REMSAT II Phase 3 or more about the various projects ESA Telecom supports in the area of Disaster Relief, click under related links at the top-right of this page.
All images courtesy REMSAT II Project team
