1 00:00:00,940 --> 00:00:04,019 Video 15, Communication in Catastrophes. 2 00:00:08,939 --> 00:00:12,300 This video belongs to didactic unit number 6, Communications. 3 00:00:13,460 --> 00:00:16,160 With it, we'll be working on learning outcome number 4, 4 00:00:16,839 --> 00:00:18,539 being able to handle communications. 5 00:00:20,300 --> 00:00:23,719 Analyzing the way the elements of an autonomous communication network work. 6 00:00:26,089 --> 00:00:28,550 One of the possible damages caused by a catastrophe 7 00:00:28,550 --> 00:00:32,789 is the disruption of the existing communication networks. 8 00:00:32,789 --> 00:00:39,869 As an introduction, we could start a debate with the students about the results of that situation, asking, 9 00:00:40,869 --> 00:00:44,630 how can we establish a communication during a catastrophe response? 10 00:00:48,020 --> 00:00:51,840 During a catastrophe, the habitual communication networks can get disrupted. 11 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:57,420 In the event of a hurricane, a flood or an earthquake, for example, 12 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:02,399 it's necessary to establish alternative emergency communication networks. 13 00:01:02,399 --> 00:01:15,459 The highest response commander will decide which system will be used, and the logistic support team will prepare the necessary equipment to ensure communications inside the response area and with the coordination center. 14 00:01:16,420 --> 00:01:21,719 We should also have other alternatives in case the chosen system fails, like satellite telephony. 15 00:01:22,760 --> 00:01:30,579 It could be autonomous networks that are temporarily installed in the affected areas until the habitual networks are reestablished. 16 00:01:30,579 --> 00:01:40,920 We could also resort to REMER, a volunteer organization of radio amateurs who offer their services to civil protection if the situation demands it. 17 00:01:44,239 --> 00:01:51,260 An autonomous communication network will be necessary when there is an unavailable network because of a catastrophe. 18 00:01:51,980 --> 00:01:54,519 This type of network has some basic elements. 19 00:01:55,120 --> 00:02:02,439 A base station with a transmitter, an antennae, repeaters, portable equipment or walkie-talkies, and satellite telephony. 20 00:02:02,439 --> 00:02:11,439 These equipments can be installed on the ground or on a vehicle, which will also serve as the advanced command post, like the ones in the images. 21 00:02:11,439 --> 00:02:15,439 Emergency organizations, like the UME, have these equipments. 22 00:02:15,439 --> 00:02:20,439 The energy they need is supplied by generators, solar panels, or the batteries of the vehicle. 23 00:02:20,439 --> 00:02:27,439 It is essential to know how every element of the network works, which we can learn in specific training courses. 24 00:02:27,439 --> 00:02:32,439 We also have to check if they work and think of alternative actions in case they fail. 25 00:02:32,439 --> 00:02:39,840 It's important to remember that walkie-talkies will be our usual communication tool. 26 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:43,840 We must have a clear knowledge of what they are like and how they work. 27 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:47,840 Standard equipment will have at least these components. 28 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:52,840 An on-off switch, which can be integrated in the volume control knob. 29 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:54,840 A microphone or speaker. 30 00:02:54,840 --> 00:02:56,840 A channel selector knob. 31 00:02:56,840 --> 00:03:00,659 a push-to-talk or PTT button, and an antennae. 32 00:03:00,659 --> 00:03:03,800 It's compulsory to check the state of the communication equipment 33 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:08,719 before its interventions and carry out basic maintenance 34 00:03:08,719 --> 00:03:10,939 like battery charging, cleaning, etc. 35 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:19,139 When using walkie-talkies, we might come across some problems, 36 00:03:19,819 --> 00:03:21,280 like the equipment not being charged, 37 00:03:21,759 --> 00:03:23,500 channels not being properly tuned in, 38 00:03:23,500 --> 00:03:27,860 and interferences, background noise, no coverage, etc. 39 00:03:27,860 --> 00:03:37,129 It is important to have solutions and alternatives to offer if we come across these problems, 40 00:03:37,129 --> 00:03:42,449 for instance checking the battery charge level and always charging them after their use, 41 00:03:42,449 --> 00:03:48,229 finding and agreeing on free channels to avoid interferences, avoiding crowds and wind to 42 00:03:48,229 --> 00:04:00,300 avoid noise, placing one or several repeaters in low coverage areas like mountains and tunnels. 43 00:04:00,300 --> 00:04:05,379 As an activity, we suggest some practice with the walkie-talkies we have in the workshop. 44 00:04:05,379 --> 00:04:09,580 They'll find the different components in the usual manual and check they work. 45 00:04:09,580 --> 00:04:11,979 To do this, we'll follow a protocol. 46 00:04:11,979 --> 00:04:13,259 Is it charged? 47 00:04:13,259 --> 00:04:14,800 Does the speaker work? 48 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:16,379 Does the microphone work? 49 00:04:16,379 --> 00:04:17,379 Is there a signal? 50 00:04:17,379 --> 00:04:20,100 Am I using the right channel? 51 00:04:20,100 --> 00:04:25,160 If we have a station, we'll also check if it works by establishing communication with 52 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:28,100 the portable equipment through a determined channel. 53 00:04:28,100 --> 00:04:32,060 also define situations in which they might find difficulties with their use 54 00:04:32,060 --> 00:04:39,019 and decide how to solve them. It's important to remember that to ensure 55 00:04:39,019 --> 00:04:44,720 communication all the participants will communicate in the same way. They'll 56 00:04:44,720 --> 00:04:50,540 follow the same procedure which consists of a number of codes, code names, norms 57 00:04:50,540 --> 00:04:55,639 and ordinary and extraordinary ways of using them. Every organization has their 58 00:04:55,639 --> 00:05:01,519 own procedure, which all its members must know, but there are some general norms that are included 59 00:05:01,519 --> 00:05:08,319 in all the procedures. Listening before speaking, being brief, speaking clearly, using Usted, 60 00:05:08,839 --> 00:05:17,639 using established codes, etc. We must also remember that using codes in radio-telephony 61 00:05:17,639 --> 00:05:24,850 communication is essential, so we must be proficient at using them. The most well-known 62 00:05:24,850 --> 00:05:32,329 One is definitely the ICAO code, but others can also be used, like the Q or the TEN codes, 63 00:05:32,329 --> 00:05:35,129 which are sometimes used for specific standard orders. 64 00:05:35,129 --> 00:05:39,149 Ours codes are used to indicate the quality of the transmission, and there are codes for 65 00:05:39,149 --> 00:05:43,129 medical conditions, which are specific to every organization. 66 00:05:43,129 --> 00:05:47,360 We must know them and use them skillfully. 67 00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:53,740 In order to establish communication, it is also very important to know our interlocutors, 68 00:05:53,740 --> 00:05:56,980 who won't use their own names, but their code names. 69 00:05:56,980 --> 00:05:59,720 Every organization uses its own code names, 70 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:07,379 which must also be known by all its members. 71 00:06:07,379 --> 00:06:10,079 As an activity, we suggest analyzing and comparing 72 00:06:10,079 --> 00:06:13,660 the SAMR and the Red Cross communication procedures 73 00:06:13,660 --> 00:06:16,899 to find their similarities and their differences. 74 00:06:16,899 --> 00:06:22,769 Here are the links to both procedures. 75 00:06:22,769 --> 00:06:25,110 In a catastrophe, many different organizations 76 00:06:25,110 --> 00:06:26,610 might be involved. 77 00:06:26,610 --> 00:06:30,449 A compatible system and a common communication procedure 78 00:06:30,449 --> 00:06:31,829 must be established. 79 00:06:31,829 --> 00:06:37,970 The commander usually divides the incident area, and every team is assigned to one of these areas to perform their tasks. 80 00:06:40,509 --> 00:06:47,050 As an activity, we suggest continuing with the activity in the previous video, the settlement in Madrid after the earthquake, 81 00:06:49,300 --> 00:06:52,399 to do some practice on communication with the same groups. 82 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:58,939 We must establish a radio communication procedure, since an autonomous radio station is available. 83 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:03,459 We'll describe the communication needs of every group. 84 00:07:03,459 --> 00:07:09,399 we'll agree on channels and establish a communication procedure based on what 85 00:07:09,399 --> 00:07:14,199 we've previously seen. We'll carry out a communication drill in different 86 00:07:14,199 --> 00:07:20,060 situations like a damage in the latrines, disturbances in the food distribution 87 00:07:20,060 --> 00:07:27,100 zone or any other situation. We'll set up a coordination center composed of one 88 00:07:27,100 --> 00:07:36,769 member of each team. With the Google Maps app we'll divide the area in zones and 89 00:07:36,769 --> 00:07:42,870 and then we can also create a code for every location in the settlement.