Happy Birthday BGAN

It’s been 5 years now since Inmarsat launched its Broadband Global Area Network service known as BGAN. This service has been one of the mainstays of media, emergency and disaster response communications around the world. It provides satellite reach-back for many first responder agencies and is an invaluable tool for remote operations. It is a key element in OODAkits – self-contained, portable communication survival kits for keeping people connected during crises.

Inmarsat has been at the forefront of mobile satellite services for over 31 years and is a recognized leader in mobile satellite communications. The first Inmarsat-4 was launched in November 2005. Three years later, all three Inmarsat-4s were in orbit, creating the full global network which supports mobile satellite broadband services on land, at sea, and in the air.

Today, there are almost 50,000 land mobile terminals activated, 13,000 FleetBroadband (maritime) and more than 1,100 SwiftBroadband (aeronautical).

Congratulations Inmarsat … and Happy Birthday BGAN!!

A big OODAThanks

Thanksgiving 2010: As we remember with gratitude all of our blessings today, we’d like to include all of you who have contributed to our success over these past (almost) two years. A big OODA THANK YOU to our customers, colleagues, suppliers, family, friends, fans and followers. Together, with you, we will continue to strive to make a difference and contribute to the betterment of this world using the gifts we have been given. Thank you very much!

“The earth has one and only one Origin, the universe has one and only one Origin, all humankind has one and only one Origin, and all religions also have one and only one Origin.”

- Kotama Okada (Seio)



Department of Homeland Security IDs Critical Gaps for First Responders

Yep – An OODAkit Could Fill that Gap

In May 2009, Randel Zeller, Director of Interagency and First Responder Programs at DHS Science & Technology and his colleagues published the “First Responder Capstone IPT.”  In it, they site a critical capability gap that still lingers for first responders: communicating when regular infrastructure is unavailable.

On page 74, you’ll find the following real-world example of an operational requirement describing a solution to fill this critical gap:

“The second primary requirement that must be in place to meet the mission of this ORD is human portable resilient communication systems that can provide connectivity to the interoperability framework. These systems will be in a kit form that has everything a FERP needs, to be hand-carried to the incident site, transported by car, helicopter or small watercraft. The kit must be able to provide voice, video and data communication peer-to-peer among FERPs at the incident site as well as capability across any available network. If normal network infrastructure is unavailable, the kit will contain a broadband satellite system to insure connectivity beyond the incident site. The Resilient Portable Communications Kit (RPCK) will be easy to setup and in operation in 10 to 20 minutes by any FERP. The kit will require zero technical support to setup. The RPCK must seamlessly participate in an expanding system of systems. The kit will be available in multiple form factors providing EROs the flexibility to have kits carried by hand in cases, mounted in vehicles, installed in mobile EOCs or any other type of response apparatus. If an ERO needs to support large-scale recovery operations, the RPCK will be modifiable to meet the requirement of the ERO.”

Yep – that’s an OODAkit. Except it only takes 5 to 10 minutes to get it up and running.

OODAkits have been successfully deployed by the U.S. Forest Service for wildfire response and were field proven as instrumental in disaster response earlier this year in Port-au-Prince.

Abbreviations Used in the Quote
ERO: Emergency Response Organization
FERP: First Emergency Response Provider
IPT: Integrated Product Team
ORD: Operational Requirements Document

What is the DHS First Responder IPT?

The First Responder IPT was established in early 2009. This Capstone IPT coordinates the identification and prioritization of the capability gaps, and the creation of detailed operational requirements of the federal, state, local, tribal and territorial first responders.

What Does “OODA” Mean Anyway?

Observe. Orient. Decide. Act.

That’s what OODA stands for. It’s a term coined by Colonel John R. Boyd (January 23, 1927 – March 9, 1997; pictured right), a United States Air Force fighter pilot and military strategist, whose theories have influenced both military and business strategies.

He used the term “OODA Loop” to describe the process that individuals and organizations use to react to events. The key to success is the creation of situations where one can make appropriate decisions more rapidly than others.
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Out of Disaster into Preparedness

The Time is Now to Capitalize on Risk Mitigation Opportunities

Major disasters provide important learning opportunities. People are motivated by the loss of life to be more receptive to new approaches and strategies for risk reduction in the aftermath of a crisis. In 2008, 321 natural disasters claimed more than 235,000 lives and cost the world an estimated $181 billion (according to The World Bank).

A long-term approach to building disaster resilience is critical, sadly however, disaster risk is often only fully acknowledged following a major event. The disaster recovery period thus provides an opportunity to once again sound the alarm and proselytize for increasing disaster preparedness and risk reduction funding at the federal, state and local levels.

Climate change now compounds the risks for natural disasters, but also provides an opportunity to empower communities to manage that risk. Consider that disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation funding can actually be integrated into relief and recovery budgets. How about an in-depth review of the relevant funding instruments and practices to ensure that those institutions most able to effect change have access to relevant funding  facilitated by local and national governments?

Let’s get serious about risk reduction partnerships and collaboration with practices that engage local government, civil society and NGOs in collective decision-making and tangible strategies to reduce risk and strengthen early warning. Technology MUST be utilized more effectively if we are to achieve enhanced resiliency and risk reduction with the limited funds we are currently willing to allocate.

This fleeting moment needs to be capitalized upon by policymakers, practitioners and the public alike – let’s do it together.

Télécoms Sans Frontières – Communications for Life

We applaud the work of Télécoms Sans Frontières …

Their Origin: During missions responding to the crisis in the Balkans and in Kurdistan during the 1st Gulf War, Télécoms Sans Frontières’ (TSF) founders realized that, in addition to medical and food aid, there was a critical need for reliable emergency telecommunications services. Conflicts and emergencies often led to massive civilian displacement and separated families. And affected populations are often left with no communications infrastructure in place to find assistance and loved ones. To address this need, TSF bought its first satellite phone eleven years ago and the organization was born. For all missions today, TSF offers a 3-minute call to any affected family.

TSF soon found that the international response teams that deploy to emergencies also had a critical need for reliable telecommunications services in the first days after an emergency. TSF, therefore, expanded its operations, improved its technology, and began to establish rapidly deployable emergency telecommunications centers to serve UN, government, and NGO humanitarian workers, and developed a reputation for being among the first to arrive after disasters.

Mission Haiti 2010: Deployed in Haiti the day following the terrible earthquake that struck the country, TSF teams remain mobilized, day after day, supporting the humanitarian community and the affected population. Three calling centers have been established in Port-au-Prince, Carrefour and Jacmel that are open for the people of Haiti: Union School in Port-au-Prince, Adventistes in Carrefour and Rue Febrile in Jacmel.

Everyone should know more about the work of this organization!

Resilient Cities

In the wake of the Haiti earthquake and the destruction of Port-au-Prince, we can wonder again at what it takes to create resilient cities and communities. In this day and age – do we even know what it takes to become resilient ourselves and thereby prepare our communities and our cities? Amidst the wonder, though, is a question of resolve. Do we have the requisite desire and the resources to do so? Haiti surely did not.

Thankfully there are those who are tackling these thorny questions. In October 2009 the 6th Gaining Ground Summit series attracted 600 people to Vancouver, BC to learn, talk about, and build connections around the theme of “Resilient Cities.”

Check out Mark Holland’s Resilient Cities Manifesto:

“I will open to the pain that I cause in the world through my ignorance and fear and the distance I seem to have from my internal dignity and nobility, and I will feel the pain, shock and injustice of participating in the death of so many, if only by accident – and then I will move past the grief to the restless serenity of my responsibility – to my planet, to my community, to my family, and to myself.”

Volcanic Events of Importance

Though it may come as a surprise to many, 10 to 20 volcanic “events of importance” occur globally every month.

On a recent consulting assignment, I learned that volcanic ash in the atmosphere can cause real problems for airplane engines, and the airlines must balance safety and efficiency in response to these events. The goal from a safety perspective is to avoid aircraft encounters with volcanic ash. From the perspective of efficiency, the  goal is to minimize re-routing of aircraft.

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Disaster Strikes When You Least Expect It

The nightmare in Haiti once again hammers home this age-old axiom.

How many more people will die in the future because of our complacency – in this country and elsewhere?

How many times do we have to witness such disasters only to find that once again lack of communications is the greatest hindrance to rapid and accurate assessment of the impact? How many people could have been saved if communications were available to quickly obtain accurate situational awareness and better coordinate the resources for search and rescue?

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Let the (Disaster) Games Begin

Now surely you’ve never thought to make a game of disaster preparedness!? Well … 2010 may be a good time to rethink your approach to improving your business continuity readiness.

Games are essential to our human experience and they form a part of every culture.

Defined as structured activities undertaken for fun, games are more and more being used as educational tools. By making aspects of education and work fun through games, attention and retention among participants can be greatly enhanced. The defense industry has understood this for many years – investing heavily in gaming software to enhance soldier training.

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