11

Amateur Radio In Tsunami Disaster Relief Amateur Radio In Tsunami Disaster Relief CommunicationsCommunications

SRI LANKAN EXPERIENCESRI LANKAN EXPERIENCE

Victor Goonetilleke – 4S7VK (President)Victor Goonetilleke – 4S7VK (President)Ernest Amarasinghe – 4S7EA (Senior Vice President)Ernest Amarasinghe – 4S7EA (Senior Vice President)

Kusal Epa – 4S7KE (Secretary)Kusal Epa – 4S7KE (Secretary)

R S

The Radio Society of Sri LankaThe Radio Society of Sri Lanka

22

Introducing Sri LankaIntroducing Sri Lanka

Land extent 65,610 KmLand extent 65,610 Km22

20 million population20 million population

Per capita income – US$ 1000 per yearPer capita income – US$ 1000 per year

Resources concentrated in Western Resources concentrated in Western

provinceprovince

33

44

26th December 2004

55

66

TsunamiTsunami

Never heard beforeNever heard before

30,000 dead, over 1 million displaced30,000 dead, over 1 million displaced

Government/Emergency services unable to Government/Emergency services unable to

copecope

Contact lost with coastal towns, Telecom Contact lost with coastal towns, Telecom

services down, coastal road washed awayservices down, coastal road washed away

77

RSSL - when Tsunami struck RSSL - when Tsunami struck

120 licensed members (35 active)120 licensed members (35 active)

No office / operations building and No office / operations building and

equipmentequipment

No vehicles or transportationNo vehicles or transportation

In the process of formulating disaster In the process of formulating disaster

preparedness plan preparedness plan

88

Action takenAction taken

Contact established with Prime Contact established with Prime

Minister’s officeMinister’s office

Mobilised membersMobilised members

Teams left Colombo for coastal towns Teams left Colombo for coastal towns

to set up communication pointsto set up communication points

99

ChallengesChallenges

Access Roads – DamagedAccess Roads – Damaged

Power Supply - DisruptedPower Supply - Disrupted

Telephone /Mobile phone Service – Telephone /Mobile phone Service –

Damaged/CongestedDamaged/Congested

Complete isolation of affected areasComplete isolation of affected areas

1010

1111

1212

Communication PointsCommunication Points

40m – 7.060 MHz40m – 7.060 MHz

Vehicle Batteries (12V) – No power supplyVehicle Batteries (12V) – No power supply

Tx Power – 5W, Battery operatedTx Power – 5W, Battery operated

Mobile unit using VHF through a repeaterMobile unit using VHF through a repeater

Medical/relief traffic terminated at Disaster Medical/relief traffic terminated at Disaster

Management Centre at Prime Ministers Management Centre at Prime Ministers

ResidenceResidence

1313

1414

1515

Situation in Disaster AreasSituation in Disaster Areas

No food /water / shelter No food /water / shelter

Lack of law and orderLack of law and order

Panic and chaosPanic and chaos

Threat of diseases and epidemics Threat of diseases and epidemics

Lack of coordination in relief Lack of coordination in relief

operationsoperations

1616

StrengthsStrengths

Dedicated and committed volunteersDedicated and committed volunteers

Experienced Ham operatorsExperienced Ham operators

Active Hams willing to use their own Active Hams willing to use their own

equipment for disaster relief equipment for disaster relief

operationsoperations

Prompt assistance from foreign Hams Prompt assistance from foreign Hams

1717

Lessons learntLessons learnt

Ensure adequate supplies (fuel, Ensure adequate supplies (fuel,

batteries backup rigs, supplies)batteries backup rigs, supplies)

Be self-sufficient (take food, water, etc)Be self-sufficient (take food, water, etc)

Transmit accurate and authentic trafficTransmit accurate and authentic traffic

Arrange additional teams to relieve Arrange additional teams to relieve

operatorsoperators

1818

ImprovementsImprovements

Stations should be initiated at regional Stations should be initiated at regional

levellevel

Liaise with Government AuthoritiesLiaise with Government Authorities

Training for relief disaster operations Training for relief disaster operations

Conduct simulated exercises Conduct simulated exercises

Prepare training manualPrepare training manual

1919

Future Strategy Future Strategy Comprehensive Disaster Comprehensive Disaster

Preparedness Programme liaising Preparedness Programme liaising with Government Authoritieswith Government Authorities

Connection to Echolink NetworkConnection to Echolink NetworkCommunication points throughout Communication points throughout

the countrythe countryTraining at school level – Scouts and Training at school level – Scouts and

Girl GuidesGirl Guides

2020

2121

2222

Our Sincere Thanks ….Our Sincere Thanks ….

Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL)Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL)

The Radio Amateurs of JARL The Radio Amateurs of JARL

ffor all the wonderful support and friendshipor all the wonderful support and friendship

dduring and after the tragic Tsunami uring and after the tragic Tsunami

of December 25of December 25thth, 2004., 2004.

2323

Q & AQ & A

http://www.qsl.net/rsslhttp://www.qsl.net/rssl

Thank youThank you