PROJECT N° 7
A Global Emergency Management Information Network Initiative
Progress Report - April 1996 Introduction
Natural disasters, technological accidents, biological outbreaks, and humanitarian emergencies can result in catastrophic human suffering, loss of property and infrastructure, environmental degradation, and social disruption. The ability of a community or a nation to respond to disasters and manage risk is critically dependant on information networks. Unprecedented technology exists whereby global emergency management knowledge could be instantly accessed to support all aspects of emergency management. This would require joint efforts of international organizations, government agencies, private industry, universities, and interested citizens throughout the world. Each would contribute a share of information to create a virtual repository of emergency knowledge accessible to all through a global information infrastructure.
Objectives
Develop a global emergency management information network that provides electronic access to all emergency management knowledge and experience to anyone, anytime anywhere.
* Foster and facilitate development of national information networks to exchange all types of emergency management information.
* Develop and implement a global all-hazard network to exchange information among all emergency management organizations.
* Identify and promote global standards for exchanging emergency management information.
* Provide forums to facilitate and enhance the exchange of experiences and knowledge within the global emergency management community.
Description
Many organizations around the world are developing emergency management information systems and networks. This project comprises 20 sub-projects, employing a wide range of information technology, knowledge, and experience ; most are wholly or partially funded. They are grouped into four categories ; networks (UN, US, CAN, NOR, PAHO) ; communication (telephone-2, radio, mobile, low cost) ; support functions (monitoring, insurance, training, supply management, multiple interfaces, counselling, network interfacing) ; and specific hazards (wildland fire chemical/biological, medical). The sub-projects are the foundation upon which GEMINI is built. Global communication technologies provide powerful platforms to link national networks into a global network accessible to all. Collaboration among participants will enable development of a consensus on a framework for exchanging global emergency information.
Organization :
* Steering Committee - country contacts, implement action plan and coordinate activities.
* Management Committee - sub-project leaders ; establish project action plan.
* Sub-projects - organizational representatives ; accomplish sub-project objectives.
* Task groups - stakeholder interaction, information organization, architecture and technology.
* Committees - coordination, private sector involvement, project technology.
Participants :
International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (UN), Simon Fraser University (CAN), Federal Emergency Management Agency (US, 3), Emergency Preparedness Canada (CAN), Quasar Consultants (NOR), Pan American Health Organization (UN, 2) Spar Aerospace, Inc. (CAN), National Emergency Telecommunication Network (US), Response Net (US), IBM Government Systems (US), Canadian Forest Service (CAN), Environmental Technology and Telecommunications (US), Shebute, Inc. (US), University of Wisconsin (US), and University of Plymouth (UK), Consortium for International earth Science Information (US), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (SWISS), Symed (US).
Expected benefits and impacts ;
* Reduced human suffering, destruction of infrastructure, and environmental degradation
* Increased information exchanges will stimulate improved emergency management
* Enhanced international communications will foster development of international standards
* Improved coordination of international disaster response will aid developing nations
* A global network would provide a common platform to facilitate technology transfer
Implementation Plan
Implementation will involve sub-projects, a global network, and global standards.
1) Sub-projects, sponsored by participating organizations are responsible for developing and implementing national emergency management information systems and networks.
2) National networks will be linked into a global all-hazard emergency information networks that will expand to incorporate additional hazards, functions, and countries.
3) Global standards will be developed through task groups that will address issues, such as : emergency access, security, reliability, search engines, language, coordination, and communication.
Milestones
Short-term
* First meeting (April, 1995) - establish the project
* Halifax demo, (June, 1995) - demonstrate a prototype global network
* Second meeting (Sept, 1995) - review progress, develop action plan, assign tasks
* NATO meeting (March, 1996) - describe GEMINI to NATO communication officials
* Third meeting (July, 1996) - promote European participation, advance task groups
* TIEMEC conference (May, 1996) - describe GEMINI to international emergency managers
* Stakeholder survey (spring 1996) - determine needs of global emergency community
* Pan Pacific Conf. (July 1996) - promote Pan Pacific participation, advance task groups
* FAO/ECE fire conference (Aug 1996) - promote a global fire network within GEMINI.
Long-term
* Prototype network (1996) - implement a prototype global emergency network
* Expand network (1997) - incorporate additional hazards, functions, and countries
* Operational network (1998) - implement an operational global emergency network
Current Status
The project has been established ; a report on 21 sub-project proposals has been written ; goals, objectives, and principles have been developed ; an organizational structure is in place ; a list of tasks has been outlined ; a list server is facilitating internal communication ; project information is posted on a WWW site. The present focus is on promoting the benefits of GEMINI, increasing global participation, and initial accomplishments for task groups and committees. Sub-projects have individual work plans and milestones.