Marikina
City has leveled up a notch when it comes to Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management (DRRM). Knowing that communications are crucial during disasters and
emergencies, Marikina City has just introduced an emergency communications
network that covers the entire city that is designed to function even during
times of natural disasters.
In
cooperation with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) under its
Project NOAH (Nationwide Assessment of Hazards), Open Garden Inc. and the
Marikina city government, a P2P (Peer to Peer) “mesh network” will provide
communications coverage for the entire, city.
FireChat
is a mobile messaging app that functions even without a telco network signal of
Internet connection. This was developed and created by Open Garden, Inc.
“I’m thrilled that Marikina is the first city
in the world to create a free network for citizens that will serve Marikeños to
communicate every day, as well as during natural disasters when networks are
destroyed,” Vice Mayor Cadiz disclosed. This will help Marikina City to achieve
the holy grail of DRRM which is “zero-casualty”.
The
worst-case scenario for any DRRM plan is to expect that power,
telecommunications and other utilities to be severely affected during disasters
and emergencies. Thus, the ability to coordinate the response is dependent on a
stable communication platform. In such a case, FireChat has the ability to
convey messages without Internet and telco network signals using peer to peer
WiFi and Bluetooth connections that are available in mobile devices.
Useful
and critical information can be relayed and disseminated to all emergency
responders and citizens during the time of disasters and emergencies. In the
case of Marikina City, messaging beacons across the city’s baranggay officials
called “Agimat” will also ‘harden” the communications network.
Marikina City was one of the hardest hit by TS Ondoy in September 26, 2009. This prompted the local government to prioritize Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.
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