Communication Challenges During Incidents of National Significance: A Lesson From Hurricane Katrina.

摘要

National disasters will likely continue to increase in number and destructiveness due to current weather trends and the ever growing number of people living in the coastal areas. The immense destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina identified many challenges especially in the communications arena. Many organizations responding to such events are using the lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina to improve problem areas identified. This Strategic Research Paper (SRP) focuses on communications challenges of early responders to Hurricane Katrina. It also demonstrates why the National Guard is a primary player in natural disasters. The destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina increased dramatically due to communications failures. The communications failures caused undue death and destruction in the affected areas. The first responders were unable to coordinate search and rescue operations efficiently and effectively without communications to guide them to the locations requesting assistance. Supplies and assistance from other states could not be delivered in a timely manner due to lack of communications. Lack of interoperability of communications equipment presented another problem. Numerous agencies are attempting to solve these problems. The solutions will require enforcement of common standards as well as funding to enable these organizations to acquire compatible communications equipment.