Disasters & Emergency Operations: History, Now, and Future

This site is dedicated to the science and technology of disasters and emergencies. StormSector in the sky and on the ground since 2001. Read about emergency operations here as well as preparedness. It takes a special kind of person to be involved in professional emergency operations. They are those who prevent, plan for, and respond to events. Read on to learn more including emergency industrial history and the future.

Section: History of Disasters | History of Modern Emergency Operations | Communications | Warning & Alert | Types | Tips | Community

History of Disasters: Natural and Man-Made
Since the time of early disasters, whether small (also non-disaster related emergency events such as a heart attack, house fire, etc), medium, or large scale, the need for emergency preparedness, building better infrastructure, and response systems (emergency operations) was recognized. Disasters can be man made or natural. Over history, nearly every country has experienced forms of both natural and man mad disaster events. Historically, America has had its fair share of disasters including recent major disasters such as: Galveston, Texas, on September 8, 1900 major hurricane hits (at least 6,000 people were killed), 1906 San Francisco Earth Quake with numerous fires (7.8 magnitude), 1918 Flu Pandemic (50 million died worldwide), 1925 Tri-State Tornado (killed approximately 700 people), 1974 Super Tornado Outbreak (killed 300 people), 1933-1945 Holocaust (man made disaster killing millions), 1980 Mount St Helens Eruption (killed 57), 1989 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (cost millions and damaged environment), 1993 Floods, 2005 Hurricane Katrina (killed approximately 1400 people), September 11, 2001 Attack (killed 3,000 people), and numerous other natural as well as man made disaster events. Other less reported or excluded man made disasters include numerous chemical spills, train wrecks, and other events.

Further back in history (world wide), disasters have also been major. For example: 830,000 people were killed from the 1556 Shaanxi earthquake (China). In ancient Rome 64 AD (some believe arson/fires) under Nero thousands died, 36,000 died from Krakatoa(Indonesia) eruption in 1883, 25,000 died from Mount Vesuvius(Italy) 79 AD, 100,000 died during the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and tsunami. These natural and man made disasters are not limited to any country or region.

The impact has been felt whether its damage to property which can be rebuilt or loss of life, which can never be replaced. Over time we have worked to better mitigate any event, especially disasters. The important message is prevention, preparedness, and response.

History of Modern Professional Emergency Operations
With a growing populous it became necessary to plan, respond, and take measures to prevent emergencies. That's where emergency service professionals count. More recently, over the past 20 years the industry has become more organized with special attention to legal matters and science. Today, all emergency officials are now licensed and certified either by State, National, or a combination of the two. A long road of innovations, improvements, and inventions has advanced the tools and techniques of emergency operations.

Emergency operations became well organized and developed (although present in history before 1900s) after The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, NHTSA was officially established in 1970 by the Highway Safety Act of 1970 (pushing for more coordination, better emergency care, etc in the late 60's early 70's), The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT or just DOT) established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966 (improving transportation safety, regulations, and emergency operations structure), use of the automobile since the early 1900's (speeding up transport and response times), the advancement of Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the 60's now modernized and advanced even more (2005 revised CPR techniques), electronic analysis and monitoring equipment, modern drugs, and of course since the 1930's - two way radio communications.

Tactical techniques made way for improvement such as the creation of specially trained units, for example, search and rescue, heavy rescue, mobile intensive care units, SWAT teams, swift water rescue, dive teams, and other specialist groups. Each individual is trained to specific standards in their respective areas of expertise. To assure quality, legalities, best practice, and efficiency all professionals go thru training and license processes to prove their skill set. Next to this, experience also plays an important role. Most professionals are involved in some type of operation relative to their profession.

The 9-1-1 System, Most Important Tool
One of the most important tools in emergency operations was the development and implementation of the modern 9-1-1 calling system. This essentially is the first step in activating the emergency operations system. In 1968 AT&T partnering with the FCC developed the 9-1-1 call numbering system, a similar concept to what was being used in Canada and the United Kingdom. The first 9-1-1 call was made in Alabama on February 16, 1968 to test the system, which was a complete success. More developed modern dispatch centers called PSAP, or Public Safety Answering Point's use computer aided dispatching systems that display the caller identification details such as location plus any nearby emergency responders available. This computer aided dispatching has led to more efficient emergency operations and coordinating response efforts.

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Modern Communications
Since the United States has become more populated and full of assets (property, buildings, etc) a modern system of communication become both a need and a luxury. In the case of emergencies, a line of communication is absolutely necessary both face to face and remote access. It may mean the difference between life and death. Technology is ever evolving in this area especially with the creation of GPS devices and enhanced telecommunication systems. You may have used one or both in your life maybe without even knowing. Throughout history humans have used a variety of methods to communicate from visual signs, audible signals, to remote tools.

The telephone invented by Alexander Bell in 1876 was a first - more modern approach - to communications. Earlier, Nikola Tesla, James Bowman Lindsay demonstrated telegraph concepts and the electrical telegraph was developed in the United States in 1837 by Samuel F. B. Morse along with "Morse Code". Since then, science and technology have come a long way. In 1897 Guglielmo Marconi started the first radio station in England soon to be even more modernized by Westinghouse and tube technology where in the 1930's radio became popular in the United States. Meanwhile, The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and directly resulted in organization, coordination, regulation, and enforcement of multiple communications industry. Television technology in its early roots - the 1920's, adapted again in 1940's (Vladimir Zworykin, Isaac Shoenberg et al.), eventually leading to color television by the 1950's - became a vital tool in modern communications as well as entertainment. By the 1960's Sony introduced transistor technology decreasing the size of radios, one could now fit in your pocket. Soon after, by 1963 color television was being broadcasted, and the first radio communication satellite, "Telstar", was launched marking a new era of modern communications.

Cellular phone networks were originally first available in Japan in the late 1970's. Originally cellular phones started from the concept of radiotelephone or using radio waves to facilitate a telephone call. Motorola first installed DynaTac in 1983, the predecessor to modern cell phone communication in the United States. Then, in Finland new technology known as 2nd generation or (2g) allowed for modern cell phone functions such as text messaging, now one of the most popular activities in the United States.

Some inventions were nothing short of spectacular especially since the idea of computers began. The computer plays an important role in modern communications. Originally developed in the 1940's, implementing integrated circuitry in the 1970's, and the invention of the Personal Computer (PC) in the 1980's, computers are everywhere now. New technology (2002, 2005, and 2009) is allowing computers to become smaller, faster, more portable, and enabling massive storage amounts. Since technology has exploded so much in the past 10 years, PC equipment has become more affordable, available, and reliable for nearly any user.

The internet and email formulated over initial network protocols between 1950's and 1960's, the development and adaptation of TCP/IP protocol in 1981, Internet Service Providers in the late 1980's, user interface display systems (such as 1994 Netscape browser), instant messaging, and broadband technology (also known as high speed internet) to create one of the most popular forms of modern communications history. Today, a home user can experience internet connection speeds of well over 20mbps. At broadband speeds, music, pictures, files, and video can be transmitted smoothly and in real-time.

Radar or "Radio Detection and Ranging" was also a great remote tool developed initially in the 1940's and improved by the 1970's used for remote sensing of objects and nature (Christian Hulsmeyer, Nikola Tesla developed initial principals in the early 1900's). Radar also became modernized in the 1980's as NEXRAD or Next Generation RADar was born, and more recently advanced Doppler techniques using phased array schematics and special algorithms developed from storm research to better detect severe weather. Other forms of Radar exist to detect man made objects used for aviation, security, and defense purposes. The late 1980's made way for the introduction of Global Positioning Systems used now in nearly every facet of industry and even personal use.

Today, nearly all business and home life involve radios, telephones, and satellites whether it's for work or for entertainment - modern communications is highly involved in society today.

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Alert & Warning
Old alert systems once were used to respond to war-time attacks. Today several modern systems exist including Amber alerts, traffic alerting, Emergency Alert System, tickers, pagers, cell phones, and radios. Each have multiple purposes and are now widely used across the United States. They are important because they fill a gap that once existed where no timely route for disseminating important messages were in place. Even to this day there are new systems being developed. What matters in the end is if the technology is effective.

Warning methods have also incorporated technology with the use of SAME, Weather Radio's, audible sirens, and radio communications such as pagers. Sirens such as outdoor tornado alert systems originally were set in place to warn of World War II era attacks. Today they are mainly used for severe weather warnings such as tornado warnings to alert the public outdoors of dangerous weather. Sirens are also being used on computers, security alarm systems, door chimes (to alert of entry), emergency vehicles, and fire alarms. Although a siren is great for those who can hear it, new techniques for warning call for a more specific target - thus creation of Specific Area Message Encoding was born.

The 1990's innovation of the modern pager allowed another method to warn or call out select personnel. Pagers could be used via a cellular phone company or monitor a single radio frequency such as a fire department's dispatch channel. While silently monitoring the traffic on the selected frequency, no audio is heard. When the pager receives a preprogrammed tone or alert message, it can sound an audio alarm or open the audio to where the traffic can be heard via the speaker of the pager. This concept is known as "toning" or "toning out."

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a technical national warning system in the U.S. implemented in 1997 replacing The Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), another emergency warning system used from 1963 to 1997. The new system called EAS used new technology such as headers, signals, message codes, and more to deliver more comprehensive, accurate, timely, and standard messages. For example, during a weather warning (it used to be for an entire county) alert radios used to go off even for people well outside of the danger area. Now, with the EAS system and S.A.M.E. (specific area message encoding) codes, alert devices can be preprogrammed to only sound for the specific area affected by the danger. This cuts down on false alarms, unnecessary warnings, and makes the messages more specific, in essence a more accurate warning system. Modern television and radio also incorporate an EAS system into their regular programming.

Today a variety of technologies can be used for warning purposes including radio, television, satellite, email, internet, websites, pagers, two-way radios, lights, lasers, and instant messaging/texting.

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Operation Types
There are numerous agencies, organizations, clubs, and networks involved in emergency operations. They include (but not limited to), communications specialists, dispatchers, emergency medical service, fire, police, military, healthcare, recovery, damage assessment, search & rescue, weather forecasters, volunteers, etc. If you are interested in becoming involved with one of these fields, see your local community college or university for course information and requirements (including prerequisites). You can also volunteer (see the links page for volunteer organizations).

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Public Tips
During times of emergencies or disasters stress is often high and so are emotions. People need to first remember to stay calm and use common sense. For example don't go out to see accidents, film fires, drive across flooded roads, film severe weather, or walk into an official scene - unless you are there for a bonafide reason. Unnecessary traffic or interaction often causes confusion, delays, and only makes the situation worse.
Emergency planning should be a part of everyone's routine. Known who to call, what to do, where to go, always! Have a plan of action before the emergency. Consider possible emergencies you might encounter at work or home, and then plan for them. You should have a point of contact in case of emergency. This is a person you can communicate with to give and get information or that can do this on your behalf. Next, make some considerations as well as an emergency kit.

You should consider where you and your family or employees will meet during or after a emergency. If it is a tornado or dangerous weather, consider the location of the nearest shelter or a safe sturdy interior structure, away from windows, on the lowest floor. If you must evacuate for flooding reasons, consider the height above seal level or higher ground to meet at in order to avoid the dangers of rapid flooding. Never cross roads or bridges where there is unknown water depth covering the area.

Keep your important information or files ready in case you must relocate. Be sure to include any necessary medications you or your family members may need, this includes prescriptions or doctors orders. Create a kit of first aid materials, a blanket, pillows, shovel, flashlight, extra batteries, a portable radio or weather radio, candles, non-perishable food items, toiletries, and ample supply of water (at least 3 days for you and your immediate family). If you are in charge of developing a kit for your business, the size, and materials should be of commercial instructions and proportions appropriate for your employees or business.

Keep a close eye on weather conditions. Never try and outrun a tornado. Seek shelter immediately if dangerous weather threatens your location. DO NOT wait to see a tornado or film it. Dangerous debris, deadly lightning, large hail, and high winds are likely. Be aware of possible flooding. If you are outdoors find a nearby shelter or if not available, lie flat in a ditch covering your head. Consider flooding as a possibility. Generally, there is no such thing as a "all clear warning" so it is important to monitor local weather radio, television, or radio for further information and updates.

You must be proactive and do your part. Doing this will allow you piece of mind, better prepare you for emergencies, and increase your chances of survival. In addition, this also aids the entire emergency operations process when people are prepared, act appropriately, follow instructions, heed warnings, and remain clam. Act immediately. Do not wait until the last minute. Being prepared will also save you critical time.

In times of weather emergencies - always follow instructions and pay close attention to watches and warnings (see the severe weather education section of the site). During other emergencies - remain calm, stay out of danger, and call for help (or to give legitimate tips/reports). Never try something that you are untrained for or is unsafe. Many emergencies can be prevented. Always use common sense, courtesy, and good faith.

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Community Involvement
Your author believes it takes a lot of heart, time, and effort to make a difference. However, each individual may be able to contribute in some way. Many ask "what can I do?" You can do much and it's a great public service.

A good community will get involved when it comes to situations or events that directly affect them. Imagine if your neighbor's house was on fire. Of course you would call for help and nock on the door to see if anyone was home. Maybe you would even get your water hose out to try and help. Or maybe you get involved in your neighborhood watch to prevent crime. Maybe you would organize a trash clean up event. You might even join a volunteer organization and help with a cause. The possibilities are unlimited. Especially if you have a special background or training; you may be an asset to an organization or agency.

StormSector has compiled a starting list of organizations you may be interested in for volunteering. Please see this link. Remember, there is no limit and your involvement is solely up to you. In the end, it does make a difference and shows the world that you care and are at least trying.


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