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 --> 00:00:39,850 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 00:00:48,009 --> 00:00:51,829 During a catastrophe, the habitual communication networks can get disrupted. 11 00:00:53,609 --> 00:00:57,409 In the event of a hurricane, a flood, or an earthquake, for example, 12 00:00:58,450 --> 00:01:02,390 it's necessary to establish alternative emergency communication networks. 13 00:01:02,390 --> 00:01:16,390 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 00:01:16,390 --> 00:01:22,390 We should also have other alternatives in case the chosen system fails, like satellite telephony. 15 00:01:22,390 --> 00:01:31,390 There could be autonomous networks that are temporarily installed in the affected areas until the habitual networks are reestablished. 16 00:01:31,390 --> 00:01:40,909 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 00:01:40,909 --> 00:01:51,260 An autonomous communication network will be necessary when there is an unavailable network because of a catastrophe. 18 00:01:52,079 --> 00:01:54,519 This type of network has some basic elements. 19 00:01:55,680 --> 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 --> 00:02:31,439 We also have to check if they work and think of alternative actions in case they fail. 25 00:02:31,439 --> 00:02:39,120 they fail. It's important to remember that walkie talkies will be our usual communication tool. 26 00:02:40,879 --> 00:02:44,319 We must have a clear knowledge of what they are like and how they work. 27 00:02:44,319 --> 00:02:50,159 The standard equipment will have at least these components. An on-off switch which can be 28 00:02:50,159 --> 00:02:57,599 integrated in the volume control knob, a microphone or speaker, a channel selector knob, a push to talk 29 00:02:57,599 --> 00:03:03,680 or PTT button and an antennae. It's compulsory to check the state of the communication equipment 30 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:11,039 before its interventions and carry out basic maintenance like battery charging, cleaning, etc. 31 00:03:15,939 --> 00:03:20,819 When using walkie-talkies we might come across some problems like the equipment not being 32 00:03:20,819 --> 00:03:27,939 charged, channels not being properly tuned in, and interferences, background noise, no coverage, etc. 33 00:03:30,050 --> 00:03:36,770 It's important to have solutions and alternatives to offer if we come across these problems, 34 00:03:36,770 --> 00:03:41,770 for instance, checking the battery charge level and always charging them after they use, 35 00:03:42,169 --> 00:03:49,030 finding and agreeing on free channels to avoid interferences, avoiding crowds and when to avoid noise, 36 00:03:49,990 --> 00:03:55,449 placing one or several repeaters in low-coverage areas like mountains and tunnels. 37 00:03:55,449 --> 00:04:04,259 As an activity, we suggest some practice with the walkie-talkies we have in the workshop. 38 00:04:04,259 --> 00:04:09,259 They'll find the different components in the usual manual and check they work. 39 00:04:09,259 --> 00:04:14,259 To do this, we'll follow a protocol. Is it charged? Does the speaker work? 40 00:04:14,259 --> 00:04:19,259 Does the microphone work? Is there a signal? Am I using the right channel? 41 00:04:19,259 --> 00:04:23,259 If we have a station, we'll also check if it works. 42 00:04:23,259 --> 00:04:27,259 By establishing communication with the portable equipment through a determined channel, 43 00:04:27,259 --> 00:04:33,259 They'll also define situations in which they might find difficulties with their use and decide how to solve them. 44 00:04:33,259 --> 00:04:43,720 It's important to remember that to ensure communication, all the participants will communicate in the same way. 45 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:52,720 They'll follow the same procedure, which consists of a number of codes, code names, norms and ordinary and extraordinary ways of using them. 46 00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:57,720 Every organization has their own procedure, which all its members must know. 47 00:04:57,720 --> 00:05:01,980 must know, but there are some general norms that are included in all the 48 00:05:01,980 --> 00:05:07,959 procedures. Listening before speaking, being brief, speaking clearly, using 49 00:05:07,959 --> 00:05:16,509 usted, using established codes, etc. We must also remember that using codes in 50 00:05:16,509 --> 00:05:21,290 radio telephony communication is essential, so we must be proficient at 51 00:05:21,290 --> 00:05:27,779 using them. The most well-known is definitely the ICAO code, but others can 52 00:05:27,779 --> 00:05:34,819 also be used, like the Q or the 10 codes, which are sometimes used for specific standard orders. 53 00:05:34,819 --> 00:05:39,620 Our codes are used to indicate the quality of the transmission, and there are codes for medical 54 00:05:39,620 --> 00:05:44,899 conditions, which are specific to every organization. We must know them and use them skillfully. 55 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:51,600 In order to establish communication, it's also very important to know our interlocutors, 56 00:05:53,519 --> 00:05:55,920 who won't use their own names, but their code names. 57 00:05:56,899 --> 00:06:01,720 Every organization uses its own codenames, which must also be known by all its members. 58 00:06:07,329 --> 00:06:13,129 As an activity, we suggest analyzing and comparing the SAMR and the Red Cross communication procedures 59 00:06:13,129 --> 00:06:15,970 to find their similarities and their differences. 60 00:06:16,970 --> 00:06:18,389 Here are the links to both procedures. 61 00:06:22,709 --> 00:06:25,790 In a catastrophe, many different organizations might be involved. 62 00:06:26,629 --> 00:06:31,250 A compatible system and a common communication procedure must be established. 63 00:06:31,250 --> 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. 64 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:47,060 As an activity, we suggest continuing with the activity in the previous video, the settlement in Madrid after the earthquake, 65 00:06:47,339 --> 00:06:52,389 to do some practice on communication with the same groups. 66 00:06:53,509 --> 00:06:58,949 We must establish a radio communication procedure since an autonomous radio station is available. 67 00:07:00,129 --> 00:07:03,449 We'll describe the communication needs of every group. 68 00:07:03,449 --> 00:07:09,430 we'll agree on channels and establish a communication procedure based on what 69 00:07:09,430 --> 00:07:14,209 we've previously seen. We'll carry out a communication drill in different 70 00:07:14,209 --> 00:07:20,069 situations like a damage in the latrines, disturbances in the food distribution 71 00:07:20,069 --> 00:07:27,129 zone or any other situation. We'll set up a coordination center composed of one 72 00:07:27,129 --> 00:07:36,730 member of each team. With the Google Maps app we'll divide the area in zones and 73 00:07:36,730 --> 00:07:44,470 then we can also create a code for every location in the settlement.