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Emergency Radiocommunications

Telecommunication is critical at all phases of disaster management. Aspects of radiocommunication services associated with disasters include, inter alia, disaster prediction, detection, alerting and relief. In certain cases, when the "wired" telecommunication infrastructure is significantly or completely destroyed by a disaster, only radiocommunication services can be employed for disaster relief operation.

Two major tasks of the ITU-R - ensuring the effective use of the radio-frequency spectrum and studies concerning development of radiocommunication systems - concern all radiocommunication services. Moreover, the Radiocommunication Study Groups carry out studies related to the continuing development of radiocommunication systems used in disaster mitigation/relief operations and these can be found within work programmes of the Radiocommunication Study Groups.

Disaster
phases

Major radiocommunication
services involved

Major tasks of
radiocommunication services

Studies carried out by
Radiocommunication

Prediction & Detection

Meteorological services (meteorological aids and meteorological-satellite service)
Earth exploration-satellite service

Weather and climate prediction. Detection and tracking of earthquakes, tsunamis hurricanes, typhoons, forest fires, oil leaks etc. Providing warning information

Study Group 7

Alerting

Amateur services	Receiving and distributing alert messages	Study Group 5
Broadcasting services terrestrial and satellite (radio, television, etc.)	Disseminating alert messages and advice to large sections of the public	Study Group 6
Fixed services terrestrial and satellite	Delivering alert messages and instructions to telecommunication centres for further dissemination to public	Study Group 5 Study Group 4
Mobile services (land, satellite, maritime services, etc.)	Distributing alert messages and advice to individuals	Study Group 5 Study Group 4

Relief

Amateur services	Assisting in organizing relief operations in areas (especially when other services are still not operational)	Study Group 5
Broadcasting services terrestrial and satellite (radio, television, etc.)	Coordination of relief activities by disseminating information from relief planning teams to population	Study Group 6
Earth exploration-satellite service	Assessment of damage and providing information for planning relief activities	Study Group 7
Fixed services terrestrial and satellite	Exchange of information between different teams/groups for planning and coordination relief activities	Study Group 5 Study Group 4
Mobile services (land, satellite, maritime services, etc.)	Exchange of information between individuals and/or groups of people involved in relief activities	Study Group 5 Study Group 4

ITU-R is also invited to pursue studies on the further identification of suitable frequency bands that could be used on a global/regional basis for public protection and disaster relief (PPDR), as well as on facilitating cross-border circulation of equipment intended for use in emergency and disaster relief situations - the second of these tasks being reinforced by the Tampere Convention on the provision of telecommunication resources for disaster mitigation and relief operations.

Recognizing that the immediate availability of pre-identified and pre-coordinated frequencies, and/or spectrum are important for the successful use of radiocommunications in the very early stages of humanitarian assistance intervention for disaster relief will save many lives, WRC-23 maintained Resolution 647 (Rev. WRC-19). This Resolution requests the BR Director "to support administrations in their work towards the implementation of Resolution 136 (Rev. Dubai, 2018), as well as the Tampere Convention" and "to coordinate activities between this Resolution and Resolution 646 (Rev. WRC-19) in order to minimize possible overlap".

Resolution 646 (Rev.WRC-19) encourages administrations to use harmonized frequency ranges for PPDR, and provides both globally as well as regionally harmonized ranges.

The Radiocommunication Assembly 2023 (RA-23) revised and approved Resolution ITU-R 55-4 instructing the concerned ITU-R Study Groups to undertake studies and develop Recommendations and Reports, as necessary, related to the management of radiocommunications in disaster prediction, detection, mitigation and relief and to continue studies on new emerging technologies which could support disaster prediction, alerting, detection, mitigation and relief.

The scope of ongoing studies/activities within each Study Group in support of disaster prediction, detection, mitigation or relief radiocommunication systems
Study Group 1	Studies on spectrum management aspects and requirements in support of disaster radiocommunications fall within the scope of Study Group 1. Considering that administrations may have different operational needs and spectrum requirements, depending on circumstances, there is a need to define the appropriate mechanism(s) for the identification and registry of spectrum resources. Exploration of monitoring techniques is another key responsibility of SG 1 and such work could be especially beneficial when applied to all phases of disaster radiocommunications (prediction, detection, mitigation, and relief).
Study Group 3	Study Group 3 will undertake the necessary studies to assess the propagation conditions for the frequency bands and services used for disaster warning and disaster relief, especially those identified as regionally harmonized bands (Res. 646 (Rev. WRC‑19)). It will further study possible changes in the local propagation conditions associated with the disaster itself.
Study Group 4	In the event of natural disasters, epidemics and famines, etc., there is an urgent need for a reliable communication link for use in relief operations. Satellite appears as the most appropriate means to quickly set up a communication link with remote facilities. Assuming the system is to operate in the fixed-satellite service (FSS), it is desirable that a small earth station, such as a fixed VSAT, a vehicle-mounted earth station or a transportable earth station, with access to an existing satellite system, should be available for transportation to, and installation at, the disaster area. It is also desirable that the system relies on widespread standards so that equipment is readily available and interoperability and reliability are ensured. Mobile-satellite service (MSS) systems are ideally suited to support disaster response and relief efforts. The wide coverage area of MSS systems is particularly helpful as disaster events are unpredictable and can happen at any time or location. Importantly, MSS system operation is typically independent of local communications infrastructure, which may be interrupted by a disaster event, enabling MSS to ensure open lines of communication when they are most needed. Furthermore, most mobile earth stations (MESs) are battery powered, often with solar chargers, and so can operate for some period of time even if the local electricity supply is disabled. Study Group 4 is working on these issues via the following deliverables: Recommendation ITU‑R S.1001 "Use of systems in the fixed-satellite service in the event of natural disasters and similar emergencies for warning and relief operations". Recommendation ITU-R BO.1774 "Use of satellite and broadcast infrastructures for public warning, disaster mitigation and relief". Recommendation ITU‑R M.1854 "Use of mobile-satellite service in disaster response and relief". Report ITU‑R M.2149 "Use and examples of mobile-satellite service systems for relief operation in the event of natural disasters and similar emergencies". Report ITU‑R S.2151 "Use and examples of systems in the fixed-satellite service in the event of natural disasters and similar emergencies for warning and relief operations". Question ITU‑R 290/4 "Broadcasting-satellite means for public warning, disaster mitigation and relief".
Study Group 5	The mobile, fixed, amateur and amateur-satellite services have proven to be of huge importance in the fields of disaster prediction, detection, mitigation and relief. Mobile service cellular applications may be used in an early warning system, as they enable authorities to establish direct contact with the citizens having a mobile receiver. The maritime mobile service is familiar with the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Disasters may demolish radiocommunication infrastructures; in such cases, the amateur and amateur-satellite services enable communication links in areas affected by natural disasters to be maintained. Study Group 5 is working on these issues via Questions ITU‑R: 209-7/5 "Use of the mobile, amateur and amateur-satellite services in support of disaster radiocommunications"; 248/5 "Technical and operational characteristics for systems in the fixed service used for disaster mitigation and relief". Recommendation ITU‑R F.1105 “Fixed wireless systems for disaster mitigation and relief operations" (with an appendix on a Regional Digital Simultaneous Communication System (RDCSS)). Recommendation ITU-R M.1042 “Disaster communications in the amateur and amateur-satellite services". Recommendation ITU-R M.1637 “Global cross-border circulation of radiocommunication equipment in emergency and disaster relief situations". Recommendation ITU-R M.1826 “Harmonized frequency channel plan for broadband public protection and disaster relief operations at 4 940-4 990 MHz in Regions 2 and 3". Recommendation ITU-R M.2009 “Radio interface standards for use by public protection and disaster relief operations in accordance with Resolution 646 (Rev. WRC‑15)". Recommendation ITU-R M.2015 “Frequency arrangements for public protection and disaster relief radiocommunication systems in accordance with Resolution 646 (Rev.WRC‑15)". Reports ITU‑R F.2061 and ITU-R F.2087 discuss the role of HF radiocommunication systems in disaster relief operations. Report ITU-R M.2085 “Role of the amateur and amateur-satellite services in support of disaster mitigation and relief". Report ITU-R M.2291 “The use of International Mobile Telecommunications for broadband public protection and disaster relief applications". Report ITU-R M.2377 “Radiocommunication objectives and requirements for Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR)". Report ITU-R M.2415 “Spectrum needs for Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR)". Report ITU-R M.2441“Emerging usage of the terrestrial component of International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT)"
Study Group 6	The Study Group initially focused on the means by which the broadcasting-satellite service (BSS) can assist in warning the public of impending disasters and in disseminating information relating to relief operations, followed by the approval of Question ITU R 118/6, entitled "Broadcasting means for public warning and disaster relief". In response, the Study Group has developed Recommendation ITU R BO.1774 / BT.1774 on the use of satellite and terrestrial broadcast infrastructures for public warning, disaster mitigation and relief, the aim of which is to help permit the rapid deployment of equipment and networks currently available in the terrestrial and satellite-broadcasting services. These services can provide means for alerting the public, for informing them of preventive measures and for disseminating information on the coordination of rescue procedures. The Recommendation gives technical guidance on the improved usage of terrestrial and satellite broadcast services in cases of natural disasters. Study Group 6 continues to work on these issues. Within the study period 2003-2007, SG 6 completed work on revised Question ITU R 118-1/6, entitled "Broadcasting means for public warning, disaster mitigation and relief" and revised Recommendation ITU R BO.1774-1 / BT.1774-1, the latter containing additional information regarding an emergency warning system (EWS). In the study period 2012-2015, SG 6 developed Report ITU-R BT.2299, entitled "Broadcasting for public warning, disaster mitigation and relief", which provides a compilation of supporting evidence that terrestrial broadcasting plays a critically important role in disseminating information to the public in times of emergencies. This Report has been revised and updated during the 2015-2019 study period. SG 6 also updated Recommendation ITU R BT.1774-2, and in cooperation with Study Group 4, Recommendation ITU R BO.1774-2 was also updated with the same information. In the study period 2015-2019, SG 6 developed Recommendation ITU-R BS.2107-0, entitled "Use of International Radio for Disaster Relief (IRDR) frequencies for emergency broadcasts in the High Frequency (HF) bands", which defines the IRDR frequencies that may be used for emergency broadcasts in the HF bands. In the 2019-2023 study period, Recommendation ITU-R BS.2107 was revised. SG 6 also revised Report ITU-R BT.2299-3 on “Broadcasting for public warning, disaster mitigation and relief”. In order to raise awareness about the importance of the role of broadcasting in emergency situations, SG 6 and EBU organized a Joint Workshop on “Broadcasting in times of crisis” in March 2023.
Study Group 7	Disaster prediction and detection are major fields of study supported by Study Group 7. Remote sensing systems (both passive and active) operate in frequency bands pre-determined by the laws of physics. These remote sensing systems provide observations of the Earth's atmosphere and surface that enable the prediction and detection of meteorological, climatic and other environmental conditions that are the basis for major natural disasters. Study Group 7 endeavours to identify the necessary radio-frequency bands and to provide supporting Recommendations governing operational characteristics and protection requirements of remote sensing systems, and similarly to enable the return of the resulting data to Earth. The acquisition, processing, analysis and distribution of data from remote sensing satellites is accomplished by various national and international agencies, and the data are made available to interested organizations. Disaster mitigation is aided by the provision of high-technology satellite communication systems developed by other Study Group participants including technologies such as tracking and data relay satellites. Study Group 7 is working on these issues via the following deliverables: - Recommendation ITU-R RS.1859 "Use of remote sensing systems for data collection to be used in the event of natural disasters and similar emergencies". - Report ITU-R RS.2178 "The essential role and global importance of radio spectrum use for Earth observations and for related applications". - Handbook on “Earth Exploration-Satellite Service” (Chapter 6.1). - Handbook on “Use of Radio Spectrum for Meteorology: Weather, Water and Climate Monitoring and Prediction”, jointly developed by ITU and WMO. The Study Group works closely with ITU‑D, in particular in relation to ITU-D Question 3/1 on “The use of telecommunications/ICTs for disaster risk reduction and management”.

Relevant Web pages

Maritime mobile Access and Retrieval System (MARS)
Tampere ConventionEnglish only - Resolution 644 (Rev.WRC-12) [suppressed] is provided for reference purposes as it is referred to in the Tampere Convention. English only
Activities on Resolution 647 (Rev.WRC-19) - "Emergency and disaster relief radiocommunication"
Regionally harmonized bands
Emergency and Disaster relief (ITU-R Special Supplement)
ITU Emergency Telecommunications Homepage
Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T)
Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D)
On-line Searchable Remote Sensing Disaster Database - SFCG Remote Sensing Disaster Database contains sources of satellite-based remote sensing data helpful in times of natural and manmade disasters. The database was constructed in response to a request from International Telecommunications Union. The database provides information on instruments, mission, frequency of operation, data product, product usage, and data latency on remote sensing missions and instruments that can support disaster management and relief support efforts.
Special World Radio Day 2024 podcast on radio for early warning and emergency services - MP3 - SoundCloud - YouTube
In recent decades, broadcast radio stations have become a crucial component of the public safety net, too. During emergencies, the portability of radio receivers and wide reach of radio broadcasts can disseminate early warnings before, and support emergency response and recovery during and after a disaster. Access to timely information can mean the difference between life and death.