DistressNet: A disaster response system providing constant availability cloud-like services

Keywords: Disaster response Adhoc networks Sensor networks Delay tolerant networks Cloud services a b s t r a c t Large scale disasters like the earthquake and tsunami in Japan (2011) cripple the local infrastructure. Proprietary systems and protocols used today for disaster response still lack data at the high spatial and temporal resolution needed to quickly save lives and to support disaster recovery efforts. Victims are rescued after days, if not weeks; digital coordination interfaces among responders are lacking, or are based on archaic methods (pencil, paper, paint on walls); the delay in receiving vast amounts of information from the field is bounded by the time used to physically transport tapes or hard drives. In this paper we present the design, implementation and evaluation of DistressNet, a system that provides services for emergency response applications. DistressNet integrates a variety of rapidly deployable, battery powered COTS devices into a secure framework. An optimal placement of networked components allows users to quickly and reliably store and retrieve data, in a ''cloud''-like manner, from a local intermittently connected ''fog''. High volumes of field data are available for emergency response personnel to view on interfaces like smart-phones and tablets. DistressNet is a large academic effort, proposing open systems, instead of proprietary solutions. It has been developed in collaboration with Texas Task Force 1 and its components have been evaluated for over one year in outdoor deployments that required over 1500 man hours. Disasters, natural or man made, are unexpected events that cause significant distress and havoc on a global scale. The best that can be done in the face of such uncontrollable acts of nature is speedy and effective recovery. Recent disasters in Japan and Haiti [1,2] have shown the effect that they can have on people, property, and the economy. Repercussions include, but are not limited to shortage of electric power, food, potable water, protection from the elements of nuclear and/or chemical hazards. In such situations, disaster response becomes increasingly difficult and constrained. Several countries have set up governmental agencies to deal with such disasters, such as Texas Task Force 1 – Urban Search & Rescue (US&R), an agency part of FEMA [3] in the US. Several Task Forces comprising of trained personnel and specialized equipment have been deployed by FEMA in the event of such disasters. From our collaborations with US&R responders, we are keenly aware of the 66 tons of …