**1. Introduction**

At the present time around the world, the use and integration of different space technology applications that contribute to planning and designing alternative communications networks for the relief of the disaster's impact, on the terrestrial communications infrastructures, have gained great importance in the disaster management scenario. In each one of the disaster stages, the information flow between the disaster management organizations, the population, and other actors, in general, is a critical and fundamental factor to provide a quick and opportune response to all aspects linked to a disaster event. Frequently in diverse disasters situations, the terrestrial communications infrastructures are affected by the disaster impacts, phenomena that cause the communications services unavailable to support in the disaster management. In most cases, the disasters impact mainly communications services, such as the mobile phone networks, fiber optic systems, terrestrial

microwave systems, fixed telephone services, private and public TV networks, commercial radio networks, and also the Internet services infrastructures. Scenarios that have a considerable impact in all processes are related to the preparedness, response, and recovery in disaster conditions, since the communications services have an important function in the disaster management tasks.

Regarding current space technologies applications, a remote sensing satellite is a space technology whose operations make possible the analysis and understanding of the damages caused by nature's disaster. It is also a technology that has the ability to provide valuable information to assist in all the disaster management phases. From this perspective, the integration of the remote sensing satellites and communications satellites in a novel and practical topology with the purpose of implementing an emergency communications network to manage disaster events represents an important and necessary resource to enhance the abilities to monitor, manage, and control the critical data flow associated with the occurrence of one or more disasters in a specific region. In the same way, this operational integration offers a suitable and versatile resource to improve the emergency response time, and it is helpful to formulate the different indispensable measures to reduce the consequences and impacts of the disaster on the terrestrial communications infrastructures as well as on other public and private properties.

As a result, extensive works have been done over the last few years, proposing the integration of the space technology applications for disaster management, for example, studies about the role of the mobile satellite services and the remote sensing satellites in disaster management, with the aim to decrease the human casualties in natural events through the utilization of both technologies [1]. Similarly, various space technology applications and their utility to prevent the causes or mitigate the disaster's consequences have been investigated and analyzed. Concluding through this analysis, space technologies, such as active and passive remote sensing satellites, communications satellites systems, global navigation satellite systems, and weather satellites platforms, among others space technology applications, have a significant usage and importance in the processes or activities of risks reduction and disaster management, due to the flexibility in their operation characteristics [2]. In the same way, diverse organizations linked to the space sector around the world have focused their studies on the use and applications of space technology in the different stages involved in the disaster management. For instance, in pre-disaster planning, during disaster, and also in post-disaster phase, an integrated approach of using remote sensing and communications systems, disaster warning radar systems, the portable communications systems, and many others combined with satellite links to carry out the disaster management tasks is considered [3].

Nevertheless, the work presented in this chapter addresses the design and implementation of an emergency communications network for disaster management. A network designed is based on a topology developed through the analysis and formulation of operational and technical strategies that allow combine the capacities and resources available in the communications satellites and remote sensing satellites inside a topology which facilitates the implementation of diverse communications technology solutions and different schemes or medias for images exchange between the entities or organizations involved in the disasters management tasks, during each stage that comprise the disaster management in case of disaster events that affect the public and private communications infrastructures.

Equally, the emergency communications network, designed and developed methodically through this chapter, is an operational scheme useful and reliable to carry out the disaster management in different scenarios of hazard, considering the operational resources available through the integration of the communications satellites and remote sensing satellites on orbit and also their infrastructures at ground segment level. Operational schemes that provide the capabilities to put into operation services or technology solutions are as follows: Communications architectures for disaster

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**Figure 1.**

*Emergency Communications Network for Disaster Management*

warning/management, radio and TV broadcasting services by satellite, cellular phone services over satellite, video conference services, very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks, broadband satellite Internet services, and distinct architectures to images exchange, among other technology resources useful in the disaster management field.

**2. Emergency communications networks role in disaster management**

Most organizations recognized globally with the active participation in the communications technology area and their applications, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), propose that "when a disaster strikes, telecommunications save lives." Therefore, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been recognized as a powerful instrument for the national economic, social, and cultural development, since they have the objective to increase the countries production levels and enhance the quality of life of people in the world [4]. In this regard, numerous studies and field systematic experiences have shown the great importance of preserving the communications services operation and also ensuring, at all times, the operability of their associated infrastructures; as the main challenge is presented throughout the disaster events or in hazard scenarios that must be faced by the entities and the personnel responsible for disaster management, since the communications services are a key resource and indispensable to carry out the disaster

It is important to highlight the high demand that exists during the disaster events for several types of communications services available, and also for keeping fast access and effective update of the information. In the same way, standardized communications and information processes have increased the reliability of communications traffic, besides easy access to the communications services through a fast and reliable system integration and interoperability, to keep the communications flow in operation in all disaster events stages. These are the primary functions and requirements to be guaranteed by the communications networks with the aim to support continuously the communications services operation during a disaster. In **Figure 1**, some disaster events that can affect the communications services operation are pointed out; the

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85872*

management tasks in numerous risk situations.

*Communications systems damages and recovery in disasters.*

*Natural Hazards - Risk, Exposure, Response, and Resilience*

have an important function in the disaster management tasks.

microwave systems, fixed telephone services, private and public TV networks, commercial radio networks, and also the Internet services infrastructures. Scenarios that have a considerable impact in all processes are related to the preparedness, response, and recovery in disaster conditions, since the communications services

Regarding current space technologies applications, a remote sensing satellite is a space technology whose operations make possible the analysis and understanding of the damages caused by nature's disaster. It is also a technology that has the ability to provide valuable information to assist in all the disaster management phases. From this perspective, the integration of the remote sensing satellites and communications satellites in a novel and practical topology with the purpose of implementing an emergency communications network to manage disaster events represents an important and necessary resource to enhance the abilities to monitor, manage, and control the critical data flow associated with the occurrence of one or more disasters in a specific region. In the same way, this operational integration offers a suitable and versatile resource to improve the emergency response time, and it is helpful to formulate the different indispensable measures to reduce the consequences and impacts of the disaster on the terrestrial com-

munications infrastructures as well as on other public and private properties.

links to carry out the disaster management tasks is considered [3].

Nevertheless, the work presented in this chapter addresses the design and implementation of an emergency communications network for disaster management. A network designed is based on a topology developed through the analysis and formulation of operational and technical strategies that allow combine the capacities and resources available in the communications satellites and remote sensing satellites inside a topology which facilitates the implementation of diverse communications technology solutions and different schemes or medias for images exchange between the entities or organizations involved in the disasters management tasks, during each stage that comprise the disaster management in case of disaster events that affect the public and private communications infrastructures. Equally, the emergency communications network, designed and developed methodically through this chapter, is an operational scheme useful and reliable to carry out the disaster management in different scenarios of hazard, considering the operational resources available through the integration of the communications satellites and remote sensing satellites on orbit and also their infrastructures at ground segment level. Operational schemes that provide the capabilities to put into operation services or technology solutions are as follows: Communications architectures for disaster

As a result, extensive works have been done over the last few years, proposing the integration of the space technology applications for disaster management, for example, studies about the role of the mobile satellite services and the remote sensing satellites in disaster management, with the aim to decrease the human casualties in natural events through the utilization of both technologies [1]. Similarly, various space technology applications and their utility to prevent the causes or mitigate the disaster's consequences have been investigated and analyzed. Concluding through this analysis, space technologies, such as active and passive remote sensing satellites, communications satellites systems, global navigation satellite systems, and weather satellites platforms, among others space technology applications, have a significant usage and importance in the processes or activities of risks reduction and disaster management, due to the flexibility in their operation characteristics [2]. In the same way, diverse organizations linked to the space sector around the world have focused their studies on the use and applications of space technology in the different stages involved in the disaster management. For instance, in pre-disaster planning, during disaster, and also in post-disaster phase, an integrated approach of using remote sensing and communications systems, disaster warning radar systems, the portable communications systems, and many others combined with satellite

**186**

warning/management, radio and TV broadcasting services by satellite, cellular phone services over satellite, video conference services, very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks, broadband satellite Internet services, and distinct architectures to images exchange, among other technology resources useful in the disaster management field.
