The Role of Large Technology Systems in Disaster Relief

 Based in New York City, Roger Coleman is a longtime entrepreneur who guides Disaster Tech and delivers solutions that enable municipalities, industries, and governments to mitigate the risk of natural disaster. One focus for Roger Coleman in NYC is deploying early warning systems that enable coordination of emergency response agencies and groups to earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires.

Over the past 15 years a number of large-scale systems have been developed that help reduce risks associated with often violent and unpredictable natural events. An example is the SERVAL project, which was launched following the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake. It enables direct communication by cell phones in cases where network coverage is broken. In tandem with this, the TERA (Trilogy Emergency Relief Application) system of SMS texting was developed as a means of ensuring robust two-way communication by aid agencies and those impacted by natural disasters.

Following the 2015 Nepal earthquake, government agencies focused on another aspect of the equation: locating humans trapped deep underground when structures fall or cave in. The NASA Finder is able to detect a single human heartbeat, even when the victim is under as much as 30 feet of rubble or 20 feet of solid concrete.

Another aspect of mounting complex rescue operations in inhospitable terrain is having a comprehensive, accurate 3-D map of the area. The ALIRT (Airborne Ladar Imaging Research Testbed) system accomplishes just this, providing details such as road travel conditions and points where helicopters can land. Such information is vital in enabling aid agencies to plan out the delivery of essential items such as water, food, tents, medicines, and blankets.