Importance of Communications and Technology

Disaster Management

Communications and Technology in Disaster Management

The Importance of Communication and Technology in Disaster Management

With the ever increasing chances of disasters occurring in different levels of our societies, the need for institution appropriate disaster management procedures go without saying. The strategic application of processes within organizations and regions, mainly with the aim of protecting the most critical of its assets is a prerequisite (Haddow & Bullock, 2003). With the increasing complexities, in terms of challenges to disaster management, the need for equally complex measures for managing these disasters has been echoed and this has been practically applied in the contemporary world. Generally, the use of communication and technology in facilitating functions like coordination, commanding and control and providing warnings in disaster management has become widespread. A case in point is Australia, a country which since history have implemented and continually developed its disaster management strategies (Healey, 2006). Like the case is for other nations, Australia has had its up's and down's in its disaster management, the presence of best standards in disaster management at the global and local levels not withstanding

According to Haddow and Bullock (2003), disaster management in organization is important and work well when the different forms of such phenomenon are known to the parties in charge of roles. The authors indicate that disasters are distinguished and divergent and therefore require that distinct strategies be applied in managing them. In light of this revelation, the need for modern, powerful and complex gadgets in handling these distinct problems cannot be overemphasized. A touch of communication and technology, in any aspect of life enhances the life of such phenomenon to degrees that were previously unimaginable. For instance, communication and technology has been credited for among other things increasing accessibility and facilitating mass communication (Fennel, 2012). By playing such roles, these features have served to propagate coordination, warnings, command and control, in the likes of disaster management in diverse scenarios.

In creating more convenience when it comes to sending and receiving messages and feedback, communications and technology has enhanced accessibility of disaster management capabilities as reaching these professionals, the required equipment and even the affected populations and assets have, in the recent past become feasible. By use of the diversely available computer aided communication structures for instance instant messaging, websites and emails, individuals and organizations can communicate to other irrespective of their distance and number. This capability in disaster management has therefore been efficient in handling the processes of prevention, preparedness, relief and recovery as they relate to disaster management (Haddow & Bullock, 2003).

The Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disaster, in the year 2009, ranked Australia tenth, among the nations which have reported the greatest number of natural disaster within that year. The nation basically is in tough with the risk it faces up to and as such, disaster management in the nation has for all time constituted a super standard of preparedness. Additionally, the nation is always improving on its emergency management systems by continually advancing their resilience structures. One aspect of communication and Technology which is rife in disaster management in Australia comes in the form of Australian Disaster Management Information Network (ADMIN). This is a national project which basically focuses on facilitating efficiency in the management of emergencies and disasters in collaboration with the government of Australia. One of the major roles of ADMIN in Australia's Disaster includes overseeing and coordinating the exchange of information, ideas and research at both the local, national, state and private levels within the region. The program has also instituted a bulletin Board, ADMIX (Australian Disaster Management Information eXchange) which functions as the basis for computerized disaster management for all classes of entities within Australia.

Among the communication and technology systems used in facilitating disaster management in Australia include the use of mobile phone capabilities. According to a report by GSM Association (2005), mobile phones play a very significant role in facilitating disaster management irrespective of the stage. According to the report, many individuals utilise short text messages in indicating alarms of disasters whenever they need help. This is a practice t hat is not only common in Australia but also in other parts of the world. Additionally, these gadgets serve to provide information of looming disasters. The capabilities that the modern mobile phones have are of a wide range. As such multiple forms of warning information can be distributed and accessed through the mobile phones thanks to the radio, internet and other communication capabilities instituted within them (GSM Association, 2005). Because of the unique technological capabilities that most mobile phones have, these tools have been employed as instruments for recovery processes in emergency situations. During chaotic states of affairs, these technological equipments aid in the recovery process owing to the unique way in which they provide agencies and affected people with means of finding relevant information depending on their needs at the time.