Wireless Community » Emergency Response

Emails from the Front Lines of the Community Wireless Response to the Katrina Disaster

Dana — Thu, 03 Nov 2005 19:35:56 +0000

Yesterday I received an email from Rich Kaiser, an independent broadband provider in North Carolina. Since the Hurricane Katrina disaster, he’s been working to set up wireless networks throughout Mississippi, and has worked with other WISPs and volunteers to use broadband wireless technology to restore communications to the affected area. His story is heartwarming, and its wonderful to hear first-hand accounts of all of the outreach and community centered assistance that is going on down there.

bq. I’m a wireless owner in rural NC and I recently got back from volunteer work in Mississippi. My company, R2 Wireless, is small-time, we started-out just trying to punch broadband into the broadband shadows down in the swamps of NC.

bq. I’m indirectly familiar with NYC, I grew up in Toms River, NJ and my brother worked around Wall ST. Here in NC, it’s just like south Jersey, except the pine trees are taller. In “downeast NC” the population’s spread-out like the pine-barrens of like: 20 years ago…

bq. So R2 was pretty dormant (just serving our software company) until Katrina. Afterwards, part-15.org hooked me up with a local wireless company in D’Iberville, MS (next to Biloxi) where I spent 15-hour days doing nothing but installs.

bq. It’s notable because the storm’s over 2 months old and there are still lots of towns and facilities without a dial-tone. I even got to hang the 2nd-ever WiMAX link in the US on an MCI radio tower in Gulfport, MS 2 weeks ago.

bq. Wireless is a natural fit in emergencies and there are few alternatives. Especially meaningful is the amount of cooperation amongst municipalities, organizations and relief efforts. Wireless provided a medium where “goodwill” efforts centralized communications.

bq. There’s probably something psychological about a “dial tone”. At the end of each install, saying “The phones are up” – caused goodwill.

bq. In some cases, we were granted access to radio towers within 2 hours of first learning of a facility in need of communications. The resulting wireless network is probably the largest in the South right now. New towns are getting installed weekly, facilities average 1 install/day.

bq. So I’m convinced of the benefit in having a wireless backbone for emergencies, and I’m hoping to combine backbone installs with cooperative efforts bringing broadband to rural communities.

bq. NYCwireless’ efforts are notable and I appreciate that you’ve made information available.

bq. Thank you for reading this, and please pass along that the people along the Gulf coast say a hearty “Thank you” for your donations.

bq. After I get some work done here in NC, I’m going back to MS to help with the network. I’ll certainly be talking about nycwireless and how other cooperative ventures might learn from your example.

bq. Thanks again,

bq. Rich Kaiser

bq. President, R2 Wireless

Rich, please continue your work. You have our support from NY and the rest of the country!

WISPA Wireless Crisis Center

Dana — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 12:01:50 +0000

Work restoring wireless data services and VOIP in the Gulf states continues. The “Wireless Crisis Center”:1 provides an overview and a running report of how wireless networks are being deployed, with lots of information and pictures.

[1]http://www.radioresponse.org/wordpress/

NYCwireless September Meeting at NYU – this Wed. Sept 28th, 7:30PM – Katrina Report

Dana — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 21:53:11 +0000

“NYCwireless”:1 is hosting a special “September meeting”:2 where we’ll have a presentation from Dustin Goodwin and Terry Schmidt about their work restoring communications infrastructure for Katrina relief.

bq. Wednesday, September 28th, 2005 at 7:30pm sharp
“NYU Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP)”:3
“721 Broadway (at Waverly Place) Room 406″:4

bq. A special meeting: Everyone is invited but **space is limited**
**RSVP is required** for building admission; please RSVP by Wed. 5pm

bq. Agenda:
* Wireless to the rescue: Restoring communications in Katrina’s aftermath Report By Dustin Goodwin and Terry Schmidt
* Controlling Interference: Cognio introduces their spectrum analyzer, a tool to manage growing RF interference problems

bq. Terry Schmidt and Dustin Goodwin have just returned from providing wireless communications networks in the areas devastated by Katrina.

bq. IP network, unlicensed wireless, and VOIP are incredibly flexible technology that can be used to deploy data and voice communication in ways not possible with traditional technology. Nowhere is this more apparent then in disaster zone where police, fire, and storm victims are cut off from the rest of the world. Learn how a Naval Post Graduate School, Cisco, Tachyon and Redline alliance along with a healthy does of motivated volunteers connected three Mississippi towns at ground Zero of Hurricane Katrina back into the communications grid in only a few days.

bq. Terry and Dustin will present their first hand accounts, including photos, as well as the technologies used and why.

bq. Terry Schmidt is a co-founder, board member, and former President of NYCwireless. Dustin Goodwin also serves on NYCwireless Board of Directors, and has led NYCwireless campaign to provide free wireless access to Community Access Houses in Manhattan, The Bronx and Brooklyn. Terry and Dustin both work for Cisco.

bq. Cognio will explain how to use their laptop spectrum analyzer to troubleshoot everyday RF problems. Spectrum Analyzers have the ability to view all RF activity not just 802.11. Cordless phone shutting down your Wifi network? You’ll never be able to figure out unless it’s your phone or you have a tool like Cognio’s. Great for people looking to learn more about diagnostic tools used to troubleshoot wireless network problems.

bq. Special thanks to NYU ITP for graciously hosting this month’s NYCwireless meeting. Thanks to Red Burns, George Agudow and Nancy Lewis.

[1]http://www.nycwireless.net
[2]http://www.nycwireless.net/article42
[3]http://itp.nyu.edu/itp/flash/Home
[4]http://maps.google.com/maps?q=721%20Broadway,%20New%20York%20NY%20(Bway.net)

Wireless Technology in the Face of Natural Disaster

Dana — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 01:12:00 +0000

Katrina has been devastating, both in physical and psychological terms. Mine (and everyone else’s) heart goes out to everyone affected by the hurricane and its aftermath.

Once the dust has settled from the initial impact of this natural disaster, many people have begun to notice that of the most important components of our everyday lives, means of communications, have been completely shut down. While we have no answers yet, we do see the need for communications tools to get news and updates to the victims, to get information about the victims to their families, and to help coordinate rescue operations. I’ll direct you to Sascha Meinrath’s site where he talks about how (at least in part) wireless technologies can help:

*”Community Wireless Emergency Response”:1*

*”New Orleans CUWiN 2″:2*

*”Disaster Recovery CUWiN”:3*

I wouldn’t suggest that this is a complete answer, but its a start.

[1]http://www.saschameinrath.com/2005sep05community_wireless_emegency_resonse
[2]http://www.saschameinrath.com/2005sep02new_orleans_cuwin_2
[3]http://www.saschameinrath.com/2005aug30disaster_recovery_cuwin