OASIS Emergency Management TC

 View Only

RE: [emergency] Public as responders (was RE: [emergency]...PPW letter re CAP)

  • 1.  RE: [emergency] Public as responders (was RE: [emergency]...PPW letter re CAP)

    Posted 10-09-2003 02:03
     MHonArc v2.5.0b2 -->
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    emergency message

    [Date Prev] | [Thread Prev] | [Thread Next] | [Date Next] -- [Date Index] | [Thread Index] | [List Home]


    Subject: RE: [emergency] Public as responders (was RE: [emergency]...PPW letter re CAP)


    I've seen two issues. One that deals with asset management where a "first
    responder" is a member of the general public. If the only electronic asset
    at a scene is a cell phone (or PDA) you may have voice, text messaging
    and/or picture taking capability (GPS with a PDA). You need to be able to
    identify and classify the asset. Will you accommodate communications to that
    asset? The question is not if you will communicate with the asset if it's
    held by an EMT, just whether or not you will consider a cell phone or PDA an
    asset and provide communications to/through the asset.
    
    There is a person holding the cell phone who is also an asset. If you choose
    to use that person you need to quickly classify their capabilities and
    provide information to emergency management on the capabilities of the
    asset. The data path to the human asset may be through a dispatcher,
    directly to their cell phone, VOIP, etc. The path doesn't change how the
    asset is used, just how the asset receives information.
    
    The other issue seems to be around broadcast media or the general public
    receiving and providing information. This still feels like asset management.
    If the media or citizens who own bullhorns, CB radios or digital cameras are
    assets then the asset should be added to the available on-scene (or
    available) assets. The emergency management team then has to decide if and
    how the asset will be used, including the path for the information. If a
    video clip or picture is considered essential to the management team then
    the bandwidth will be consumed - this isn't a standards issue, it's an asset
    management decision. 
    
    *Allowing* a video clip or digital picture to be communicated electronically
    seems essential in an EM standard (I think the suggestion was that this can
    be accommodated by adding a single element). Identifying assets and their
    attributes is essential. Identifying a path or multiple paths to/from an
    asset is essential. How an asset is used in an emergency situation is not a
    standards issue.
    
    gary