Laura Kong, Director, UNESCO IOC ITICEd Young, Deputy Director, NOAA NWS Pacific RegionKelly Sponberg, Project Manager, RANETTrinidad, June 2007

Warning DisseminationWarning Disseminationand Public Alerts:and Public Alerts:

GTS / AFTN, EMWIN,and other reliable

methods

Early Warning MessagesEarly Warning Messages

• “Early warning systems must be understandable, trusted by and relevant to the communities which they serve.”

• “Warnings have little value unless they reach those people most at risk – who must be trained to react to it.”Ms. Amy Minsk Intl Federation

for the Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies, Mar 2005

Early Warning Messages

• “Once a tsunami warning is issued, the message needs to reach people rapidly.”

• “Highly efficient notification and alert systems that use multiple communication channels ranging from sirens to police and citizen-based patrols and the mass media, have been developed by coastal communities prone to tsunamis and related hazards, like earthquakes.”

Tsunami Teacher, Chapter 3.3.6.4 “Tsunami Notification”

Factors to Consider in Developing a Warning Capability

Targeting populations-at-risk,

– Who are recipients

– Where they are located

– What they are doing

•Time of day

•Season (e.g., tourist season)– What they rely upon to receive

local news and information– What special needs they have– How well they understand / accept

the warning in order to take action

Early Warning Systems• Satellite Communications Systems

EMWIN (Emergency Managers Weather Information Network). Uses NOAA GOES 11-12 satellites

RANET (Radio-Internet: Communications and Dissemination of Environmental Information for Rural and Remote Community) . Uses Worldspace AsiaStar Satellite

• Satellite/land/sea: GTS / AFTN - very fast reliable• Radios and Sirens: VHF, FM, HF Radio Systems• Phone/Cell Phone/Paging Systems: Automated Text-

Voice, SMS Text Messages, Cell Broadcasts • INTERNET and WEB Warning Dissemination• Backup Comms – Satellite Telephone Systems

What is EMWIN?• The Emergency Managers Weather Information

Network is a wireless, priority-driven computer weather data broadcast system that takes advantage of minimal wireless bandwidth.

• EMWIN provides rapid Satellite, VHF Radio, and Internet dissemination of:

• Alerts / Warnings < 1 minutes • Forecasts ~ 2- 5 minutes• Graphics ~ 10 – 15 minutes• Imagery ~ 10 – 15 minutes• Other (as time permits)• In severe weather, non-warning products lower priority

How it worksHow it works

• Data are collected from a variety of Data are collected from a variety of sources:sources:

1. Gateway1. Gateway 2. Weather Wire 2. Weather Wire 3. FTP3. FTP 4. Internet4. Internet

• They are assembled at EMWIN servers They are assembled at EMWIN servers and :and :

1. Prioritized into high , mid , low 1. Prioritized into high , mid , low priority priority products products 2. Split into 1k packets2. Split into 1k packets 3. Assembled into 9.6kbs serial data 3. Assembled into 9.6kbs serial data streamstream

How it works cont.How it works cont.

• The data stream is sent to Wallops The data stream is sent to Wallops Command and Data Acquisition Command and Data Acquisition Station (WCDAS), NESDIS where it is Station (WCDAS), NESDIS where it is Up linked to GOES satelliteUp linked to GOES satellite

• EMWIN products can be EMWIN products can be retransmitted:retransmitted:• Transmitted via radio frequency Transmitted via radio frequency

(local re-broadcast)(local re-broadcast)• Sent on the Internet (Byte Blaster)Sent on the Internet (Byte Blaster)

NWS EMWIN Architecture

INTERNET CLOUD

INTERNET CLOUD

NWS GATEWAY SYSTEM

WEATHERWIRE SYSTEM

A & C

B & D

BYTE BLASTER NETWORK

WALLOPS CDAS

GOES SPACE CRAFT

DEDICATED ANALOG LINE

EMWIN FEED SOURCES

EMWIN PC NETWORK

EMWIN INTERNET PUSH BITSTREAM

DEDICATED ANALOG LINE/T1 backup

Tertiary System

GOES FOOTPRINT

GOES 11 (WEST) GOES 12 (EAST)

EMWIN Users• NWS Forecast Offices and Warning NWS Forecast Offices and Warning Coordination Meteorologists (WCM’s) Coordination Meteorologists (WCM’s)

• WCM’s use EMWIN as a tool to WCM’s use EMWIN as a tool to promote the NWS to public and Local promote the NWS to public and Local and National Emergency managersand National Emergency managers

• Canadian Met Service, South and Canadian Met Service, South and Central American countries, Caribbean Central American countries, Caribbean nations, Pacific Island nations, NWS nations, Pacific Island nations, NWS Pacific regionPacific region

• Schools , amateur meteorologists, Schools , amateur meteorologists, EMT’s, hobbyists of all ages, storm EMT’s, hobbyists of all ages, storm spotters, storm chasers, Skywarn spotters, storm chasers, Skywarn NetworkNetwork

• Many TV Stations in the mid-west, Many TV Stations in the mid-west, especially tornado alleyespecially tornado alley

• Police Stations, Fire Stations, Police Stations, Fire Stations, Emergency Centers, Emergency Emergency Centers, Emergency response personnelresponse personnel

• Re-broadcasters, paging networksRe-broadcasters, paging networks• Worldwide Internet Users Worldwide Internet Users

via Byte Blaster network via Byte Blaster network• Weather Channel (media) Weather Channel (media) • U.S. Air force uses in remote areas U.S. Air force uses in remote areas

EMWIN Users

EMWIN in the Pacific• EMWIN provides advance warning of

tsunami and typhoons.• We’ve received testimonials noting

that after a severe weather event the only weather system still functioning is EMWIN.

• But, we have also learned that backup power or emergency UPSs powering EMWIN and other systems need to function if the local power fails (e.g. from a strong earthquake).

EMWINVHF Re-transmission

• Re-transmitted locally using NWS or National Guard VHF frequencies to local communities

• Re-broadcasters can filter national data stream and re-insert local emergency data or relay it in its’ entirety

• Texas counties use EMWIN in Police cars • Florida’s network (FWIN) uses heavy

filtering and employs 1200 baud as its’ retran data rate - very effective network used statewide by Emergency Managers.

Internet or Intranet cloud

Internet or Intranet cloud

Typical VHF Re-transmission System

EMWIN SERVERVHF Transmitter

Receiver

Custom local EMWIN Data stream

To Paging Network

GOES EAST dishGOES WEST dish

153.950KHz

1690.725MHz1690.725MHz

Typical Radio Re-broadcast User

Standard Pentium PC

Internet access to Byte blaster network

Internet cloud

Internet cloud

0-100 mi from transmitter line of sight

EMWIN VHF Radio Receiver

153.950KHz VHF EMWIN

Optional Alarm Controller

To Alarm Units

Typical EMWIN Satellite User

Internet cloud

Internet cloud

Standard Pentium PC

EMWIN SATELLITE Dish

Receiver

Internet access to Byte blaster network

Optional Alarm Controller

To Alarm Units

Byte Blaster Server

Internet cloud

Internet cloud

Standard Pentium PC

EMWIN SATELLITE Dish

Receiver

Internet access to Byte blaster network

Optional Alarm Controller

To Alarm Units

Why EMWIN works so well• Equipment inexpensive -EMWIN system w/o PC Equipment inexpensive -EMWIN system w/o PC (as little as $1,400)(as little as $1,400)• System needs little to no infrastructure.System needs little to no infrastructure.• Runs on a laptop.Runs on a laptop.• Solar powered version exists.Solar powered version exists.• Signal is “Weather Proof” due to L-Band Signal is “Weather Proof” due to L-Band transmission.transmission.• User Equipment relatively compact - very User Equipment relatively compact - very rugged.rugged.• Data-stream free, repeatable - can be Data-stream free, repeatable - can be customized for local retransmission.customized for local retransmission.• EMWIN non-proprietary.EMWIN non-proprietary.• Multiple inexpensive software displays Multiple inexpensive software displays available.available.• Large / knowledgeable user community to help Large / knowledgeable user community to help monitor performance and answer user questions monitor performance and answer user questions (EMWIN user list)(EMWIN user list)

Who are we?Who are we?

The RANET program began in Africa in 1998/9, following the experience of Seasonal Outlook Forums. It was recognized that benefits from advances in science and applications could only be realized if populations outside central cities could be reached.

- Africa: 1998/99/00 -> present

- Pacific: 2003 -> present

- Asia, Indian Ocean: 2005

Who are we?Who are we?

RANET is a cooperative effort of various national, regional, and international partners, who seek to:

- Make weather and related environmental information more accessible and useful to rural and resource poor populations in order to aid day-to-day resource decisions and prepare against natural hazards.

- Improve the dissemination capacities of national hydro-meteorological and related national services, NGOs, and other information producers, thereby increasing the profile of and active value of these organizations to local populations.

What we do?What we do?

RANET INCLUDES:- Web and Internet- Community FM Radio- HF Radio- SMS (Cellular Text) Messaging- Other Equipment Use and Maintenance- RANET Community Building: Newsletters, etc- Web Hosting

- Network Development and Management- Maintain Satellite / Associated Server Systems- Pilot and Training Activities- Test and Identify Communication Solutions

Ensuring sustainability and maintenance of systems is a priority of all RANET activities, therefore we encourage local ownership and use of communication systems for multiple purposes such as education, health campaigns, community discussions, etc.

Core principles?Core principles?Core principles? RANET IS A CONCEPTCore principles? RANET IS A CONCEPT

RANET also works to build upon and augment existing networks and means of communication.

Core principles?Core principles?Core principles? RANET IS A CONCEPTCore principles? RANET IS A CONCEPT

RANET Product Delivery - application

Wantok Community FM Radio StationA Professional Quality FM Radio Station

• A complete broadcast station in a suitcase

• Ideal for a Community FM Radio Station

• Readily accepts any audio source• Can be solar/wind powered for remote

communities

The Wantok Suitcase FM Radio Broadcast System.

Hakupu Village, Niue FM station on the air…

Funded by NOAA, and NZAID

Wantok Community FM Radio StationApplications for the Wantok SBS-1

• Low cost, low power community radio station

• Education and training• A tool for Socio-Economic Development• Ideal for Disaster Alerting and Response• Gets important information to the end user

Owned by the Community - for the Community

The Wantok Suitcase FM Radio Broadcast System

HF Radio EmailWhat is HF Email? (two way communications)

– Email received - sent via a HF Radio Transceiver

– Requires a special radio modem – Modem interfaces to PC or laptop– Software can interface with many applications,

e.g. Outlook Express, our mSTAR automatic weather station

Niue HF email system, quickly installed after TC Heta

Funded by Met Office, UK

HF Radio EmailWhy HF Radio Email

– Cost effective two-way remote communications sys

– Easy to install and operate– Some Pacific NMS already have suitable HF

Radios

– Many staff already have HF radio experience Typical HF radio Email system set-up

Commercial satellite - IridiumA Reliable Portable Internet Backup Solution (two way communications)

– Constellation of 66 LEO satellites– Small Cellular phone type handset - SMS

capable– Can access Iridium Direct Internet Gateway – Built in Modem– Rugged external marine antenna– All weather capability– Can use any Internet Email or

Browser ClientNiue Iridium Backup Coms System – installed April 2005

Meteorological & Disaster Mitigation Communications: “Blueprint”

Primary communications

– EMWIN for Intl/Natl Warnings - GTS uplink w/unique WMO product header

– Target: “selected locations” / secondary (FM)– FM Community radio for redistribution +

civil defence type siren for villages– FM solar/hand cranked radios– Local ISP for outbound comms

Back up communications

– HF Radio email and/or– Commercial satellite email FM solar/hand

cranked radio

Sirens and VHF Radio AlertingSirens and VHF Radio AlertingGetting the Warning Message Out to the PublicGetting the Warning Message Out to the Public