CHATHAM, Va. -

During a disaster, instant communication can be the difference between life and death. Since the terrorist attacks against America on Sept. 11, homeland security has been a hot topic, and Virginia Tech researchers have recently begun focusing on bringing instant communication to a disaster situation. National, state and local officials joined Virginia Tech faculty members Monday in Chatham for a demonstration of a possible application for a wireless broadband disaster communication system. "If we reflect on the past 3" months, we see how valuable this application can be," U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode, I-5th, said of the proposed application that uses a new broadband, high-speed communication system invented to instantly communicate information in a disaster. The demonstration, performed in part to attract funding from the national level, included a mock chemical spill. Mock emergency-services personnel had to communicate in areas where normal communication lines were out. The mock command center was in the Pittsylvania County Schools Planetarium and the remote disaster site was outside the building. Charles Bostian, who works with Virginia Tech's Center for Wireless Telecommunications, demonstrated how the command center can share information with rescue workers in the field. Information - including GIS maps - and vital data as well as voice, text and video communication can be sent through the system. The command center is designed to be on the edge of a disaster area, using existing communication lines. The remote station, made up of a small computer/radio device, communicates with the command center through radio waves. Each remote station includes an antenna, which is placed at the highest point available. A rescue worker could have a small, palm-sized computer from which to receive and send information while in the field. "Emergency management depends on information from the field," said Rose Park, a deputy CIO at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"I think there is a lot of potential for this in disaster response, enhancing the ability to communicate from the national level to the local level. If Sept. 11 taught us anything it was that there are no islands in disaster response." In a disaster like the attacks on the World Trade Center, where several square miles were left without land lines for communication, cellular communication soon became saturated and rescue workers had a hard time communicating.

The wireless communication system utilizes radio waves and independent antennas erected in remote rescue areas, allowing for several sub-command posts within the perimeter of the disaster. All necessary information comes through the existing information avenues and is sent through the radio waves to the rescue workers who need the information. Information from rescue workers is collected through the temporary system and sent to national organizations that can analyze the information and advise the local officials how best to proceed. "Us fire guys are skeptical," said Cortez Lawrence, the national fire programs division director. "We are interested in how it can be used. If it works and it doesn't weigh too much then we will use it." Several other questions surfaced about how the communication system can be integrated with communication systems already used by emergency personnel.

Firefighters also said they were concerned that the radio waves may be subject to interference caused by fire, water, dense vegetation and buildings.Virginia Tech officials admitted they demonstrated a prototype and several kinks need to be ironed out before communication can be seamless, instant and reliable in a disaster situation. They did say they feel the technology is progressing and the communication possible with their system is better that what is currently available. Contact Cathy Koplen at 793-2311 Ext. 3043 or ckoplen@registerbee.com.