University of Arkansas researchers are developinga solar powered wireless emergency communications network that can be deployed during major disasters to transmit critical warnings and geographic information.

The network, which researchers call an emergency “mesh,” is entirely self-sustainable so even when power and the Internet has been knocked out, residents affected by a disaster can still receive information on their computers, smartphones, and other digital devices.

“Deployment of this system could warn people to get out of harm’s way and could help emergency services personnel reach victims much faster. This last part is critically important because we know that many deaths occur in the minutes and hours after a disaster strikes,” said Nilanjan Banerjee, an assistant professor of computer science and computer engineering at the University of Arkansas.

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Tom Ridge has been a longtime advocate for the creation of a nationwide network for public safety agencies to operate on. The lack of public safety’s ability to communicate across agencies was brought to the United States’ attention more than 10 years ago during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. As the first secretary for the DHS, Ridge witnessed the fallout from that day and took on the role as a supporter of the network’s creation.

Last year, Emergency Management’s sister publication Government Technology reported on how much interoperability has increased and how far along the creation of the nationwide public safety network was — at the time, the answer was that there hadn’t been significant changes. “The technology exists, the capability exists, but what is lacking — what is sadly lacking, what is tragically lacking, what is shamefully lacking — is the political will to build this system,” Ridge told Government Technology in mid-2011.

But there is finally some good news to report: On Feb. 22, President Barack Obama signed into law payroll-tax-cut legislation that reallocated the 700 MHz D Block spectrum to public safety. The legislation also provided $7 billion in federal grants for the creation and build out of the network. While there is much celebrating in the public safety community, there may be a long road ahead for the actual rollout of the network. “It’s one of those situations where we have good news and more news,” Ridge said. “I wouldn’t say bad news — it’s a very important first step, but this is going to be a long journey I’m afraid.”

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DHS – Testimony of Acting Deputy Under Secretary Greg Schaffer, NPPD, before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, “Ten Years After 9/11: Emergency Communications”

Introduction

Thank you Chairman Lieberman, Ranking Member Collins, and distinguished members of the Committee. It is a pleasure to discuss the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts to improve communications for emergency response providers and government officials. As we approach the tenth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, there is no shortage of reminders of the need for an effective and efficient emergency response framework to manage incidents and restore essential services in the aftermath of a disaster. As just one recent example of many, we are all aware of the tragic series of tornadoes that ripped through the nation’s heartland this year, causing billions of dollars in damages, killing hundreds, and leaving thousands homeless.

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