Early warning communication system

An effective early warning system needs an effective communication system. Early warning communication system has two main components. These are communication infrastructure hardware and interactions among the main actors of the early warning process. Communication infrastructure hardware must be reliable, especially during the disaster. Interactions among the main actors of the early warning process must be appropriate and effective. The main actors of the early warning process are the scientific community, stakeholders, decision makers, the public, and the media.

Redundancy of communication systems is essential for disaster management, while emergency power supplies and back-up systems are critical in order to avoid the collapse of communication systems after disasters occur. In addition, frequencies and channels must be reserved and dedicated to disaster relief operations to ensure the communication systems operate reliably and effectively during and after a disaster occurs, and to avoid network congestion.

Many communication tools are currently available for warning dissemination, such as Short Message Service known as SMS, e-mail, radio, as well as TV and web service.

Information and communication technology is a key element in early warning. It plays an important role in disaster communication and disseminating information to organizations in charge of responding to warnings and to the public during and after a disaster.

Today, the decentralization of information and data is provided through the WWW which stands for the World Wide Web. It makes it possible for millions of people worldwide to have easy, instantaneous access to a vast amount of diverse online information. This powerful communication medium has spread rapidly to interconnect our world, enabling near-real-time communication and data exchanges worldwide. The Internet has become an important medium to access and deliver information worldwide in a very timely fashion.

In addition, remote sensing satellites now provide a continuous stream of data. They are capable of rapidly and effectively detecting hazards, such as trans-boundary air pollutants, wildfires, deforestation, changes in water levels, and natural hazards. Using rapid advances in data collection, analysis, visualization and dissemination, it is now feasible to deliver relevant information on a regular basis to a worldwide audience. It is provided with modern technologies such as remote sensing, Geographical Information Systems, web mapping, sensor webs, telecommunications and Internet.

Information is now available in a near-real-time mode from a variety of sources at global and local levels. In the coming years, the multi-scaled global information network will greatly improve thanks to new technological advances that facilitate the global distribution of data and information at all levels.

Globalization and rapid communication provides an unprecedented opportunity to catalyze effective action at every level by rapidly providing authorities and the general public with high-quality and scientifically credible information in a timely fashion.

The dissemination of warnings often follows a cascade process, which starts at the international or national level and then moves to regional and community levels. Early warnings may activate other early warnings at different authoritative levels, flowing down in responsibility roles, although all are equally necessary for effective early warning.

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