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.

Project Common Bond - A Tuesday's Children Initiative

 

Roger Coleman is the CEO of Coleman Group Partners, an organization engaged in impact investing for social and geopolitical causes. He is also the president of Disaster Technologies Incorporated, where he facilitates comprehensive industry and company market analyses, as well as valuations. Roger Coleman is heavily involved in Tuesday's Children, an organization geared towards victims of terrorism, military conflict, or mass violence.

Project Common Bond is a Tuesday's Children program that seeks to equip young people worldwide between the ages of 15 and 22 with leadership and social skills. More specifically, it is suited for young people recovering from the loss of a loved one to terrorism, mass violence, war, or their lingering effects.

During the program, facilitators expose participants to the concepts of conflict resolution and peacekeeping. Participants also get involved in sporting activities, music, and drama to aid healing and to foster social skills such as teamwork, empathy, communication, and negotiation skills.

Project Common Bond comprises a summer session and a winter session. It is also a pathway to other Tuesday's Children programs, year-round, as well as reunions. These programs offer more interaction opportunities for participants as potential global leaders.

Disaster Technologies Fights Misinformation with Project Domino

An accomplished New York investment professional, Roger Coleman was recently named to the Barron’s Advisor Hall of Fame. Roger Coleman owns the New York-based Coleman Ventures & Coleman Group Partners, and serves as president and chief strategic officer of Disaster Technologies Incorporated.

Disaster Technologies has established a reputation as a leading provider of web-based data visualization and data exploration aimed at helping organizations prepare for and respond to disasters. Recently, Disaster Tech partnered with Graphistry to fight social media disinformation with Project Domino.

Project Domino recognizes that the internet is rife with misleading information and false claims designed to confuse and polarize readers. Particularly regarding COVID-19, accurate and unbiased information is essential to public health. Project Domino collects data and accelerates research on developing capabilities to disseminate information swiftly and broadly. Specifically, the project works to develop three main capabilities: to detect misinformation campaigns, to identify potential influencers for local behavior changes, and to automate precise interventions. For more information please visit www.disastertech.com/.