With natural disasters seeming to occur with greater frequency, anything which can be done to increase speed of response and reduce risk represents a potential boon to both those affected and those attempting to assist. Major General ANM Muniruzzaman, president of Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS), argued in The Daily Star that, as smart devices continue to improve in terms of both cost and effectiveness, it can be of benefit for organizations to look to incorporate them into their disaster response and management plans.
Particular potential areas of assistance include:
- Data gathering and reconnaissance, via the use of drone, allowing first responders real-time data to otherwise isolated areas;
- Communications, via tracking of information from social media, or deployment of additional points of connectivity to support disrupted communications networks;
- Artificial intelligence, to assist in rapid decision making based on limited data sets; and
- Augmentation of human skills, either directly (via exoskeletons and similar robotics) or indirectly (via advanced sensors or nano-technology).
While human involvement will continue to be needed, the incorporation of these smart technologies can help reduce the level of support for resource heavy tasks, instead freeing up first responders and others involved in disaster recovery and response for tasks still beyond the abilities of smart devices.
Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/news/smart-disaster-management-the-age-climate-change-1780879
