REMFIRESAT: Real Time Emergency Management tool via Satellite
- Paper number
IAC-05-B2.1.04
- Author
Dr. Jesus Gonzalo, Aeronautical School of University of León, Spain
- Year
2005
- Abstract
REMFIRESAT is a system conceived to demonstrate the use of satellite technologies in all the phases of a natural disaster, from prevention activities to damage assessment, including the crisis situation. The REMFIRESAT system is a network implemented at various user levels, providing a single platform for all of them, capable of receiving, processing and circulating all the relevant information from external and internal sources, in order to manage emergency situations quickly and more efficiently. To achieve this, the infrastructure of REMFIRESAT system is based on satellite communication networks, the nodes of which are called Command Centres (RCC), located at user decision-maker offices. These centres are able to receive, process and transfer the requested information according to the established hierarchy and task restrictions previously mentioned. The main communication services managed by the RCCs are: voice, fax, text messages, positioning of resources, geo and meteorological data and finally Internet resources. By means of VSAT technology and portable devices, it is possible to develop ‘Mobile Command Centres’, providing the same functionalities as the standard RCC, that is, access to the REMFIRESAT system network. REMFIRESAT was initially tested for forest-fire emergencies (currently operated by several Agencies in Spain), where the system value has been recognised, providing Earth Observation products to help operators at any time, navigation data to have continuously located the available resources and communication means to improve and back-up existing ones. Because of its GIS-based modular design and autonomy, the concept can be easily adapted to other types of emergencies, such as floods or earthquakes. Remote Sensing activities are managed by the External Data Gateway (EDG), in charge of acquiring, processing, storing and dispatching the Earth Observation data/products, making use of as much as possible real-time and off-line Earth Observation satellites, suppliers and historical data. The gateway takes the satellite raw data and other ancillary data to further generate various types of products, such as: - underlineFlash Floods Awareness: Determination of the regions suitable of being flooded under rare extreme conditions (sudden heavy rain, for example) - underlineFlood Risk Maps: Maps specifying regions suitable to be flooded in the next hours/days - underlineFlood Extent Mapping: Maps representing the current extent of a flood - underlineFlood Monitoring: Set of data covering different moments of the flood, showing its evolution. - underlineFlood Damage Assessment: Estimation of the affected areas - underlineWeather forecast: The weather forecast products are elaborated by using the MM5 Weather Forecast Model In order to provide positioning capabilities, terminals operating automatically during the fire-fighting activity are provided. The positioning data is sent to the network and propagated following user rules. There are different models of terminals, based on COTS solutions, which are utilised depending on the user requirements in a real situation, providing voice, messaging and automatic positioning capabilities In conclusion, the appropriate synergy proved among communication, navigation and remote sensing satellite services has led to a system that fulfils the requirements of all the actors involved in emergency management activities. Besides, it has been achieved in a cost effective manner, providing an adequate decision-making environment for a more efficient emergency management. The main achievements of the REMFIRESAT project are: 1. Identification of various space assets for this specific need, covering a wide range of the space technologies (Earth Observation, Navigation and Communication); 2. The DDGIS, a tool designed and adapted to complex situations; 3. Effective demo, which allowed REMFIRESAT engineers and users to identify possible ways of improvement, preparing the way for further operational versions
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-B2.1.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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