Near-realtime Location Specific Messaging During Extreme Bushfire Events

Abstract

Providing information to emergency responders and citizens is one of the most critical aspects during bushfire events. In many cases ground-based infrastructure might be malfunctioning or destroyed and satellite communication might appear the only option. This paper concentrates on the use of the QZSS satellites to provide short messages early warning. The paper provides a preliminary overview of the initial investigations, development and testing of an emergency management system for preparedness and response to extreme bushfire events in Australia. We examine how emergency modelling data can be used to assist a central command centre in generating location-based information during a crisis.