Discussion: Apply Solutions to Infrastructure Damage by Natural Disaster

• A substantive comment should be approximately 250 words or more for every response.
• Cite sources within your comment to support your statements for every response. (4 Responses Total)
• Include at least two references minimum, properly formatted, not just a link.

• Review the Discussion grading rubric to see what is expected for an excellent discussion, in order to earn full credit.
• Review some resources to help you synthesize, such as the following:

Sullivan, J. (2011). Strategies for Synthesis Writing. Retrieved from http://www.findingdulcinea.com/features/edu/Strategies-for-Synthesis-Writing.html

SYNTHESIS MY DISCUSSION WITH THE 4 RESPONSES

SYNTHESIS MY DISCUSSION WITH THE 4 RESPONSES

SYNTHESIS MY DISCUSSION WITH THE 4 RESPONSES

I started my discussion with this:

Professor and Classmates,

Hurricanes’ effects on the infrastructure are visible on the fall of communications structure such as cell or landline wires fr0om their towers. When a storm strikes, it’s usually accompanied by strong winds, destroying fiber Optic cables and cell towers, which are the primary means of communication for people. Even worse impacts of hurricanes and tornadoes are experienced during the response process as people cannot get service and make calls to ask for help (Partnering for Infrastructure Security and Resilience, 2013). There is also a disruption in 911 calls as their towers go out, and communications become mostly unavailable. There is little to no help that comes at this time as there is no way information can get through when people cannot talk to each other and are trapped.

However, some solutions and measures can be put in place to ensure that communication does not go out during such disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Infrastructure Protection Plan, and Department of Homeland Security are the agencies most involved with ensuring continuity of communication in the face of disaster (The National Infrastructure Protection Plan, 2015). FEMA has been able to mobile communication vehicles activated with voice, satellite, and data connections and serve as moving workstations to respond to survivors where connectivity is out. FEMA also provided Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) to support the exchange of communication. Always set up a prompt communication tactical team and deploy them to the site and area that a disaster has occurred to help hasten communication with affected Victims. The government also needs to identify, coordinate, and invest in the restoration of the country’s critical telecommunication infrastructure.

Other measures that have been put in place to avoid and ensure that communications do not fail in a hurricane or tornado include creating awareness by training individuals. FEMA has been able to come with a learning program “The national infrastructure protection plan which looks at concepts of critical infrastructure security and resilience to deal with issues of communication breakdown in disasters. The Department of Homeland security has also made sure that it has formulated the communication sector-specific Plan that assesses the risk and reduces the risks during disasters (The National Infrastructure Protection Plan, 2015). Having back up power, electrical systems, and batteries will help keep network components open for communication and assist in the event of GPS loss to track people’s phones and locations (Partnering for Infrastructure Security and Resilience, 2013). By putting these plans into motion and effect, the country will reduce the risk of communication blackout during hurricanes and tornado disasters.

Pedro

References:

S-860.C: The National Infrastructure Protection Plan, An introduction (2015, July 21). FEMA, Emergency Management Institute. Retrieved from https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-860.c

NIPP 2013: Partnering for Infrastructure Security and Resilience. (2013). DHS.gov. retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/national-infrastructure-protection-plan-2013-508.pdf

“RESPONSE 1”

Morse code is where it’s at!! Mod 3, Post 1

Classmates,

“Did you say steak?! Now you got me all excited!” What I’m meaning with this quote from Deuce Bigalow is that this post is right up my alley, and I’m ready to nerd out on it! I am a Communications Signals Intelligence Analyst. My Air Force job required me to attend two separate technical schools. The first of the two was Basic and Advanced Morse Interceptor courses at good ol’ Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Fun fact: The Sierra Vista McDonald’s on Fry Blvd is America’s first drive through McDonalds! The second school was the Basic Communications Signals Analysis course.

While at Fort Huachuca, I went through a typing course to learn how to type without looking at the keyboard. Luckily for me, I already had this down after I took a typing class in High School. Next, I began to train my brain to translate Morse code I heard through headphones into characters I typed into the keyboard. Ex: “…. ..” which means “hi.” While I of course had to learn all letters, number (long numbers, and cut numbers), Q-codes, and “chatter,” I also had to learn about the equipment used to transmit Morse code.

Whenever I mentioned that I copied Morse code (2002-2005), people were always saying, “What?! That’s still a thing?” Yes, yes it is! This is because Morse code is the easiest way to communicate between two points. All you REALLY need is an antenna at the send and receive locations, and a power source. Now you will also need listening devises to hear the Dit’s and Da’s, such as headphones or speakers. The sender will also need some sort of transmitter: a device to turn the carrier wave on and off to create Morse code (Dit’s and Da’s). Think of Scouts using a flashlight to pass messages, this is Morse code! When all other communications have been destroyed, creating a simply Morse code system is the fastest and easiest way to restore communications (Markstrom, 2019).

While Morse code surely will work to communicate after significant Hurricanes and Tornadoes take out radio antennas, cell phone towers and satellite dishes, we most-likely do not need to resort to that. According to an OPTICS article on October 2, 2019, experts believe the best way to reestablish communications after a a natural disaster is through fiber. Fiber lines are more durable than copper lines and stands up better to severe weather. When copper is wet or damaged, it does not perform well. The primary weakness in fiber is if it becomes cut in half as light needs to pass through the solid line of fiber (Jacobson, 2019).

Andrew

Reference:

Jacobson, Kate. (2019). Could Fiber be the Answer to Connectivity in Natural Disasters? Accessed November 16, 2020 from https://optics.fiberbroadband.org/Full-Article/could-fiber-be-the-answer-to-connectivity-in-natural-disasters

Markstrom, Karl-Arne. (2019). What kind of equipment do you need to send and receive Morse code? Accessed November 16, 2020 from https://www.quora.com/What-kind-of-equipment-do-you-need-to-transmit-and-receive-Morse-code

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“RESPONSE 2”

Wind Disasters (WD) and the Communication Network

Classmate,

A natural disaster is best described as an event of nature that overwhelms a community, exhausts all resources, and threatens the ability to function and provide safety for the people living there. We will examine the unique effects of high wind storms such as a hurricane and tornadoes have on communities during this discussion. Annually, these disasters are responsible for over $6 billion in damages nationwide, which accounts for nearly 50% of all damages from all disasters.

Damages consistent with wind disasters

Wind is an extremely violent force of nature and can cause widespread damages. Typically, in wind disasters (WD), such as a hurricane or tornado, you can expect to see power outages, loss of communication, and large-scale damage to human-made structures that can stretch for hundreds of miles. For this discussion, we will only examine the communication sector and the overall impact on critical infrastructure.

Protection of communications

One of the most imminent dangers from WD are directly related to the public health sector. If hospitals lose their ability to communicate, this will significantly impact their ability to treat patients. Hospitals rely on having backup systems to prevent disruption in communication to effectively manage patients’ transportation, supplies, and other resources to maintain functionality. Building designers and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lead the effort to protect the communication infrastructure.

Preparation

The communication network is one of the most important pieces of critical infrastructure for a community. In the event of a disaster, first responders rely heavily on communicating to coordinate relief efforts. Also, the ability to have cellular communication is vital for communicating over long distances, which is necessary for requesting additional supplies and resources.

According to the FCC, there are three phases to establishing a robust communication network that can withstand a natural disaster; preparation, response, and recovery. As you can imagine, the primary effort goes into the preparation phase to ensure that there are effective systems in place should a disaster occur. The FCC prepares for a disaster in several ways. Perhaps the most important aspect of the preparation process is establishing the operation center. This acts as the entire process’s heartbeat and oversees all sectors running effectively, and directs resources as needed (FCC, 2020).

Here are the implementations measures that the FCC puts in place:

Redundant/Back-up Communications are necessary to have lined up. It is important to identify the specific vulnerabilities in a community to have resources already distributed and on hand at those locations. The age-old saying that you don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket comes to mind here. A community is at greater risk if the only communication method fails.

Diversity of Communications Systems is another aspect covered by the FCC. Having different methods, meaning devices, and communication modes will allow officials to continue their response efforts. Furthermore, setting policies in place on who will communicate by what method will prevent an overload on any particular communication method. First responders are the primary personnel who need to communicate to prevent the loss of life. Having alternative communication methods such as HF radio, WiFi, or Satellite systems can be helpful even if degraded.

Emergency Notifications is something that the everyday citizen encounters. Most probably don’t give it a second thought. However, this quick test is an important part of the preparation taking place behind the scenes. Also, preplanning where these types of events may occur is another effective way to ensure that a community can remain resilient when a storm strikes. (FCC, 2020)

Response

During the response effort, entities should first establish contact, bring their emergency personnel together, and be briefed on specific response tasks. Next, there is an assessment of the communication network to determine the extent of damage and which system will be suitable for use. Things they consider are “infrastructure maintenance, performance against standards, system saturation, usage, and traffic loads” (FCC, 2020). Then emergency personnel will review the disaster recovery plan and reach out to various entities for any needed supplies or additional resources.

Simultaneously, officials will contact State and Federal entities to establish communication with the “outside world” to inform them of the situation. Hence, if escalation to higher-level authorities is needed, they know the situation and status and start preparing to reduce response efforts to the affected area. Furthermore, officials use a three-tiered assessment to determine the criticality of resources such as mission-critical, important, and minor. The term mission-critical indicates a catastrophic breakdown in response-ability, resulting in a major loss of life, property, and system trust breakdown. Important means that there is a significant loss in the ability to respond to emergency needs. Lastly, a minor indicates that full capabilities could be apparent to the public with modifications to the systems.(FCC, 2020).

Recovery

During the recovery phase of a disaster, the FCC will conduct assessments of damage, make necessary restoration and repairs, and develop alternative communication solutions if needed. Next, there will be an in-depth analysis of the disaster’s impact on the critical infrastructure to develop a more resilient community. Lastly, there will be a post-disaster meeting to update the emergency response plan to better prepare for a future incident. “Remember that failing to plan is planning to fail” (FCC, 2020).

Other protection measures

In addition to the protection measures discussed above, other protection measures include protecting communication equipment inside buildings to ensure that they are structurally designed to be resilient during a possible collapse. Another way is to ensure an alternative power source such as a generator for when power may go out. One aspect that I found to be really interesting is how buildings are built. There are state and local codes that regulate how communications equipment is installed, such as antennas, satellite dishes, communication and power lines, the type of material used, etc. Perhaps one of the most effective protection measures is regularly scheduled building inspections to test wind loads, check for punctures in the roof, and conduct preventative maintenance as necessary (Marchigiani, et al., 2013).

Conclusion

Wind disasters are a significant calamity nationwide and can cause massive amounts of damage to a community’s critical infrastructure. Furthermore, ensuring that the communication network remains operational during and after a disaster is vital to first responders, local, state, and federal officials who need to coordinate relief efforts. Many different entities play a critical role in protecting the communication network for WDs. Establishing strong partnerships among the FCC, FEMA, and having communities abide by building codes and minimize the effects of these storms.

Nicholas

References:

Federal Communications Commission (FCC). (2020). Emergency Planning for Satellite Carriers. https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/guides/emergency-planning-satellite-carriers

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (2013). Making Critical Facilities Safe from High Wind. https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1557-20490-6102/fema543_chapter3.pdf

Marchigiani, R., Gordy, S., & Papadimos, T. (2013). Wind disasters: A comprehensive review of current management strategies. MedKnow Publications. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3743338/#__ffn_sectitle

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“RESPONSE 3”

Module3_Post 1

Classmates,

Communication during a disaster is essential to help respond, mitigate, and recover. A means of communications between first responders enables a constant flow of updated information, calling for back up, and to put out warnings. The Department of Homeland Security developed the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP). This plan is used to identify any mishaps in communication between all levels and create a solution (National Emergency Communications Plan n.d).

Land mobile radios have been a reliable source of communication. “There have been many innovations in the world of mission-critical communications, but land mobile radio (LMR) continues to hold its own as the reliable backbone for critical communications” (Tait Communications, 2017). Hurricanes and tornados often led to the destruction of telephone cables and power outages. Using LMRs can help ensure communications don’t fail following a severe wind event. A few things can be done to ensure this communication resource is reaching its most potential. Mobile radios are often designed with power outages in mind. Mobile radios can be charged with back-up generators, solar power sources, or be replaced by another battery pack. Having dedicated channels between responders can create efficient communication. Designated channels reduce the chance of radio traffic interrupting one another. Ensuring responders have multi back up portable batteries is the key to keeping communication flowing. Power outages and storms can last several days, so having backup batteries will be useful. A durable design of a radio, one that is water-resistant will be most beneficial to outlast a storm. Designing factors like snow, ice, mud, dust, heat, and rain need to be taken into consideration. Ensuring that first responder are equipped with LMRs, is a way to keep communication flowing even during a storm.

Stephany

Reference

National Emergency Communications Plan. (n.d.). Retrieved November 05, 2020, from https://www.npstc.org/NECP.jsp

Tait Communications. (2017, March). How to Stay Connected During Natural Disasters. Retrieved November 05, 2020, from https://www.govtech.com/em/disaster/how-to-stay-co…

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“RESPONSE 4”

Communication, let’s keep talking to each other. – Module 3 discussion

Classmates,

Communication is vital in all aspects of life; however, during a disaster, it is critical. When a disaster strikes, such as a hurricane, communication can be affected. Loss of power is the main reason why we lose radio and cell phone towers. Many of the communications towers have backup battery systems, which turn on during a loss of power. These systems can keep the communication running for a few hours until the electricity can be restored.

Because of past disasters, like Hurricane Katrina flooding New Orleans and Hurricane Maria knocking out the electricity in Puerto Rico, many companies and agencies have created contingency plans. An example of this was Hurricane Harvey in Southeast Texas. “Before the storm, wireless carriers took careful steps to prepare, filling backup generators with fuel and stationing response crews in the area.” (Namuduri, 2017). Many companies have also established mobile units, which are trucks with telecommunication capability. These mobile units either attach to a tower’s antenna, which is inoperable or establish a temporary signal base. The downfall to this is that they are not as strong as a standard tower. (Namuduri, 2017).

A second reason for the loss of communication is damage to the towers. Many companies have combined their cellular tower systems to transfer the communication capability to a working tower. When one tower is damaged, the company can switch the power to a different tower, which is still working. The signal may not be as powerful, but it will allow for a limited signal. (Mims, 2012). In working with emergency management, the companies have agreements with fuel companies to provide fuel to mobile generators to be placed in strategic areas. The companies have also created special response teams to respond rapidly to damaged towers and provide special communication equipment for first responders. “Sprint’s Emergency Response Team is a group of about 20 to 30 engineers, most of whom have military training. They provide first responders with special cell phones and help prioritize network recovery for emergency workers.” (Goldman, 2012).

Governments have also made changes to prepare for hurricanes and loss of commutation. An example was “In 2001, DHS, DOJ, and the Department of Treasury began a collaborative effort to develop the Integrated Wireless Network and provide secure, seamless, and interoperable wireless communications for federal agents and officers engaged in law enforcement, homeland defense, and disaster response.” (GAO.gov, 2009). This capability allows first responders to use specific radios, frequencies, cellular, and satellite communication during the disaster response. Because of the flooding from Hurricane Katrina, government agencies have now required Emergency Operation Centers to have backup batteries and generators in the event power is lost. They must also be moved to higher lands to avoid flooding and have secondary locations with the same capability. (USFA.FEMA.org, 2015).

Mark

Reference:

GAO.gov. (2009, June). GAO-09-604 Emergency Communications: Vulnerabilities … Retrieved November 11, 2020, from https://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09604.pdf

Goldman, D. (2012, August 24). How cell phone carriers prepare for hurricanes. Retrieved November 11, 2020, from https://money.cnn.com/2012/08/24/technology/carrie…

Mims, C. (2002, October 30). In Sandy’s wake, here’s why millions of Americans have cell service but no power. Retrieved November 11, 2020, from https://qz.com/21909/hurricane-sandy-and-cell-phon…

Namuduri, K. (2017, August 29). When Disaster Strikes, Flying Cell Towers Could Aid Search and Rescue. Retrieved November 11, 2020, from https://spectrum.ieee.org/telecom/wireless/when-di…

USFA.FEMA.gov. (2015, June). Operational Lessons Learned in Disaster Response. Retrieved November 11, 2020, from https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publicatio…

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Module 3 – Background

INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION, VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS, AND NETWORK ARCHITECTURES

Required Reading

IS-860.C: The National Infrastructure Protection Plan, An introduction (2015, July 21). FEMA, Emergency Management Institute. Retrieved from https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?c…

NIPP 2013: Partnering for Infrastructure Security and Resilience. (2013). DHS.gov. retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publicatio…
Read pages 1-14.

Required Websites

Critical Infrastructure Sectors. https://www.dhs.gov/cisa/critical-infrastructure-s…

Disaster Emergency Communications, FEMA. https://www.fema.gov/disaster-emergency-communicat…

FEMA Student Identification System (SID). https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid

National Infrastructure Protection Plan. https://www.dhs.gov/cisa/national-infrastructure-p…