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 Using Packet Radio in Emergencies

A Packet Proposal...

So why use packet or digital (computer-assisted) radio networks in times of emergency? Why not just use voice? While voice modes are essential to any emergency operation, and packet radio might appear to be a "luxury," there are several persuasive reasons to employ packet modes despite what might be considered high overhead costs.

All are related to network-centric operations and will be elaborated on in the following sections: continuous connectivity, expandable networks, and analytical evaluation.

Continous Connectivity

One thing that packet stations do very well is to automatically stay in touch with each other. Beacons and beacon responses are the usual means. Very often location information or station status information can be included in the broadcast. GPS data can be sent in a scheduled or synchronized broadcast, or at anytime. If this data is tied into a local map, even monitoring operators, who are not familiar with the local area, can immediately assist in dispatching meaningful directives to operatives in the field.

Sometimes when a mobile station goes silent, this information can be of value to those at command headquarters. This could indicate that some accident or worse, has befallen an ERV, Emergency Rescue/Response Vehicle. If a mobile station has failed to send a beacon broadcast in its alloted time slot, an alert can be posted. Requests to a voice link may not be fully reliable since personel are often busy with real life situations that keep them from answering calls until the local emergency is over. But a "ping" to a packet station will almost always come back if it is up and on the air!

The background transmissions of mail traffic is another packet strength, in fact, maybe one of its most salient. Once mail routes have been set up, the mail handlers are relentless, grinding away until the mail gets through! This acitivity continues regardless of other packet events in progress. So while a station operator might be in a QSO "chat" situation, the mail packets keep interjecting themselves into the transmissions as usual...

This concept of continuous connectivity is at the heart of any synchronized, highly coordinated operation, whether the objective be civilian or military. The benefits of knowing where everyone is at any point in time and space, especially when the "battlefield" is always in a state of flux, can be of great value to those responsible for the success of the outcome...

Expandable Networks

One of the great strengths of TCP/IP and AX.25 based networks is its ability to grow the net in real time. For example, most emergency operations would emanate from a central headquarters which would have as its base a link to the internet. From this point outward, connections could be made to mobile vehicles acting as central nodes in the field. These links might be via satelite phone or radio gateway links if reachable. These mobile, central stations, probably trucks, would position themselves at the disaster's "edge" and hold these positions until instructed otherwise. The working vehicles, probably vans, jeeps, Hummers, or SUV'es, would be the ERV'es, Emergency Rescue Vehicles, which could be either land or water based, or both. It is the ERVes' mission to penetrate the disaster area reporting back to the mobile, central stations which in turn would report back to headquarters.

The network structure as described above looks like the classical hierarchial design with one point of origin branching out to many nodes which in turn branch out to many more nodes until a tree-like structure and a chain-of-command are established. And, this is true, with one important exception. As the situation changes, the network can re-configure itself to accomodate the communications needs of the operation. What began as a "pure" hierarchial structure now has transformed itself into a network design. This implies that new intervening nodes can "spring up" and join the net as needed. This does not threaten the chain-of-command, but rather makes it more adaptable and flexible based on the changing disaster conditions.

And because the network is expandable, other nodes which may not be "officially" part of the operation could be used by the emergency net. For example, many hams run packet stations and quite a few are adapting them to run in emergency conditions. Whether manned or not, VHF stations could be left running and available for use by the emergency nets, providing a relay point in the network design. They would be an integral part of the net until the batteries expired... If solar powered, they could remain in service continuously during the daylight hours and possibly at night if battery-charging capability were installed.

This concept of the expandable net does not always require that each participant be equipted with voice radio or packet radio. Anyone with a vehicle or boat could potentially join the "net" by finding a node station (ERV) to check in with and give a report of the situation. So even average volunteer citizens could offer help by simply taking a litte extra time to rendezvous with their attached ERV and make a report to a radio operator or packet operator. In other words, don't function as a maverick, but rather as part of a networked team!

To boost inclusivity even further, perhaps temporary radio licenses could be granted to organizations during times of emergencies. For example, most people can operate a computer, or can be easily trained to do so. If that person were a member of a volunteer organization, not necessarily ham radio, they might be able to receive some basic training in regard to packet operations, enabling them to run an emergency station on an ERV in times of emergency only. This might vastly increase the number of station operators to man the net. When the crisis is over, these operators would no longer be authorized to work packet stations. (However, they could be encouraged to obtain radio licenses through their "parent" organizations for emergency preparedness...

The concluding point here, and one we often forget, is that networks are made up of people! The technology pales in the shadow of disaster. It should be there in its enabling role, but not acting as an abstruction to the willingness of people to join together and communicate in times of emergency!

Analytical Evaluation

Since packet radio is intimately tied together with computer technology, a paper trail or snap-shot of any sequence of events may be captured and scrutinized at some later time. Imagine trying to tape record all the voice conversations, which could perhaps be done but certainly not easily. With packet all the events are stored on a hard drive somewhere!

Recently, Ham radio emergency preparedness groups such as ARES and RACES have moved toward including a packet component in their emergency operations just for these very reasons: that all the events may be analyzed and performance evaluated so that corrections may be made in future. With this data, a nearly complete simulation of the rescue operation could be reconstructed, not only visually but also statistically . These results could point to the areas that need work or that perhaps failed altogether. While no one likes to see where they "goofed," this information is extraordinarily valuable to planners and emergencies coordinators!

Conclusions...

This "imaginary" scenario of an ideal emergency net has been meant to inspire you and get you thinking about the many ways that communication technologies and people can work together. Many of the "pesky" details have been glossed over, since perhaps their solutions are still "dancing about" in someone's head! The basic plea is for coordination, integration, and cooperation... Sound familiar? :) (Nothing radically new has been proposed here, just common sense application of what is already known to have worked in the past, only perhaps at a higher level of integration.)

I am hoping this will inspire you to take action and fill in some of the missing pieces of which there are always many. If we work together, there is almost nothing that cannot be overcome...

(For a more generalized discussion about the current status of packet radio and why it should be used in times of disaster, please see The Status of Packet Radio. To view an index page for general emergency-related information, please see Emergency Communications and Informational Resources.)