Organization of communication network for the needs of the crisis management system.

Communication networks

in crisis management in Poland

in many municipalities, counties, or agglomerations, various types of communication networks are used to ensure a high level of safety. Most often, services from fixed and mobile telephony networks known to all residents are utilized, provided by public network operators. Analog systems are most commonly used, which are essentially not integrated with each other. "Networks and systems provide telephone and data transmission services, including internet access and internet services, according to their capabilities and the agreements made for supply or lease between the provider and the city office. The communication systems used generally belong to the city and provide telecommunications services:"

• to crisis management authorities;
• municipal police;
• medical rescue services;
• professional fire brigades and volunteer fire brigades;
• fire services;
• police;
• urban, air, and rail transport companies;
• city cleaning services, urban roads, and public areas;
• sanitary-epidemiological and veterinary services;
• energy and gas companies;
• water and sewage companies;
• environmental protection authorities;
• other organizations related to safety and crisis management.

The most important feature of an efficient communication system is undoubtedly the ability to guarantee electronic communication services to users not only at their permanent location (e.g., at the base) but primarily when they move in the field (so that they are constantly "present and visible" in the system to other users—in case of the need for constant contact. The electronic communication system for ensuring safety and crisis management consists of a set of communication means, distributed at the command positions of the crisis management center in a given territory and in other places of their operation, telecommunication lines, and end-user devices, placed in their workplaces. The system is intended to provide authorities responsible for citizen safety with the ability to maintain constant and effective command. Other important features of an efficient communication system will include:

• independence from terrestrial telecommunication infrastructure,
• dedicated nature, ensuring continuous access to communication network resources under simultaneous demand from system users,
• operational efficiency in the area under management, without interruption in conditions of lack of primary power supply, for no less than 12 hours,
• guarantees for data transmission in sub-channels with a bandwidth of up to 64kb/s, alongside the transmission of voice communication channels,
• ensuring the ability to contact (from the central point – the base), to have a conversation with any participant belonging to the communication network,
• the ability to transmit data between a portable computer equipped by the team in the field and the information system of the facilities within the network.
• full coverage of the area with a single satellite beam,
• the ability to change network parameters regarding its bandwidth, the number of users in the network, application needs, etc.,
• equipping the system with an internal device for reporting data flows and monitoring the correct functioning of the network.[1].

Due to its advantages, satellite communication is very often used in crisis management, making it easier to carry out rescue operations and others that require quick and efficient organization. In crisis management, prompt action is crucial, requiring maintaining communication with rescuers and others involved in operations, regardless of weather conditions and the terrain where actions are conducted, as well as full knowledge of the locations of rescue services and their movement directions. Commanding operations on a local or large-area scale requires maintaining constant communication with both commanders and individual rescuers, as well as those managing command centers.

In crisis management, various types of satellite communication are used as needed, ranging from standard radio communication to specific applications for fast data transmission. The most commonly used element of the communication network in crisis management is radio communication. It allows for constant contact between the crisis management center and the rescuers conducting operations in the affected areas. It is also used for coordinating actions at the disaster site, meaning direct contact between the operation commander and the rescuers. This type of satellite communication is often employed in disaster areas where radio infrastructure has been destroyed or its functionality is limited. The satellite radio communication system often serves as a backup or reserve communication between command centers, used in cases of disasters that affect the operational area of these centers. Satellite television is also very useful in crisis management, as it enables the transmission of vital data to the crisis management center from mobile field points, for example, to notify about the extent of the disaster, which allows for quicker and more precise decision-making regarding rescue operations. To properly utilize satellite communication in crisis management, cooperation with the national terrestrial telecommunication network becomes essential. This network should be sufficiently developed to handle increased telephone traffic during crisis operations, as well as provide fast and free data transmission and television broadcasts. This is a fundamental requirement for an efficiently functioning national crisis management system.[2].

Poland's entry into the structures of the European Union has enabled significant development of crisis management centers. In recent years, there has been an improvement in the efficiency of satellite communication along with the expansion of satellite navigation system bases. In recent years, the international EGNOS system has been introduced in the European Union, which influences greater use of satellite radio communication across Europe. The entire European Union, including Poland, has implemented the "eCall" system, which is based on an event notification system. With the anticipated rapid development of satellite services and an increase in the number of users, there should be a significant facilitation of access to satellite communication, and consequently, also to satellite services used in crisis management. Worldwide, in addition to the currently utilized global satellite navigation systems GPS and GLONASS, the launch of the GALILEO system is anticipated, which will become competitive with existing systems, especially GPS. Currently, many municipalities are launching early warning systems for residents within existing communication networks. The use of early warning systems (EWS) allows for: instant alerts to residents about threats to life, health, and property; the ability to send messages from a single GSM base – for example, about the need for immediate evacuation; it also enables cooperation with the police, municipal guard, fire brigade, ambulance, and other safety services. The advantages of such a system include: diversification and management of information, clear communication with residents, and a higher level of safety for crisis management. EWS – which hold great hopes – will also serve in the coming years to inform residents about: water supply shutdowns, energy outages, interruptions in heat supply, changes related to street repairs, and to convey other important information related to the safety of residents in a given area. EWS represent a significant technological step forward towards rapid and effective communication – between the municipality and residents – which is essential in the realm of safety management.[3].

The use of communication networks in managing security brings many benefits and new possibilities through faster and more efficient rescue operations, ensuring maximum safety for the rescuers in action, and the ability to provide quick assistance to the injured and affected – which will minimize the number of casualties not only among civilians but also, importantly, among rescue personnel. It is also hard not to mention the possibility of better preparation for residents for crisis situations (floods, fires, other disasters) – thanks to the functioning early warning system (EWS). However, to take advantage of the benefits of using communication networks, one must remember about an efficiently operating rescue system – which requires a well-functioning terrestrial digital telecommunication network: both radio and cable, providing the necessary transmission capacities. The use of mobile crisis management centers will also become very important and necessary, which should cooperate with the national crisis management center through fast digital satellite links.[4].  

The organization of communication for the needs of the crisis management system,, zawierająca zespół przedsięwzięć organizacyjno-technicznych oraz możliwe do wykorzystania siły, środki i systemy łączności została określona w odrębnym, niejawnym załączniku funkcjonalnym do Krajowego Planu Zarządzania Kryzysowego[5].

Information duties of the Center.

The Center informs the European Commission and the EU member states about the measures taken in a crisis situation to ensure the proper functioning of the public telecommunication network and the broadcasting and receiving stations used to ensure safety, in relation to the communication system and teleinformatics networks.[6].

Gathering information and processing data in crisis management.

Organy właściwe w sprawach zarządzania kryzysowego mają prawo żądania udzielenia informacji, gromadzenia i przetwarzania danych niezbędnych do realizacji zadań określonych w ustawie[7].

The obligation to provide information and explanations necessary for the implementation of the Center's statutory tasks.

Ministrowie kierujący działami administracji rządowej, kierownicy urzędów centralnych, wojewodowie, starostowie, wójtowie, burmistrzowie, prezydenci miast, właściciele oraz posiadacze samoistni i zależni obiektów, instalacji, urządzeń i usług infrastruktury krytycznej są obowiązani do udzielania dyrektorowi Centrum, w wyznaczonym terminie, żądanych przez niego informacji i wyjaśnień niezbędnych do realizacji zadań Centrum określonych w ustawie[8].

The obligation to take action in crisis management spoczywa na tym organie właściwym w sprawach zarządzania kryzysowego, który pierwszy otrzymał informację o wystąpieniu zagrożenia. Organ ten niezwłocznie informuje o zaistniałym zdarzeniu organy odpowiednio wyższego i niższego szczebla, przedstawiając jednocześnie swoją ocenę sytuacji oraz informację o zamierzonych działaniach[9].

The obligation to inform the Center's director about the threat of a crisis situation; sending messages by telecommunications operators at the request of the Center's director.

1. Ministrowie kierujący działami administracji rządowej, kierownicy urzędów centralnych oraz wojewodowie niezwłocznie informują dyrektora Centrum o zagrożeniu, które może skutkować wystąpieniem na wskazanym obszarze sytuacji kryzysowej, oraz o konieczności powiadomienia ludności o zagrożeniu.

Owners and possessors of autonomous and dependent critical infrastructure facilities, installations, devices, and services must promptly inform the Center's director and the relevant territorial provincial crisis management center about any disruption affecting this infrastructure that may lead to a crisis situation in the specified area.

3. Operator ruchomej publicznej sieci telekomunikacyjnej w rozumieniu przepisów ustawy z dnia 16 lipca 2004 r. - Prawo telekomunikacyjne (Dz. U. z 2019 r. poz. 2460 oraz z 2020 r. poz. 374, 695 i 875), zwany dalej "operatorem", jest obowiązany, na żądanie dyrektora Centrum, do niezwłocznego, nieodpłatnego wysłania lub wysyłania, komunikatów do wszystkich lub określonych przez dyrektora Centrum grup użytkowników końcowych, w szczególności przebywających na określonym przez niego obszarze, jednorazowo lub przez wskazany przez dyrektora Centrum okres.

The Council of Ministers will specify, by way of regulation, the method and procedure for cooperation between the Center's director and the operator to fulfill the obligation referred to in paragraph 3, necessary elements of the message, and how it will be communicated to end users, taking into account the necessity:

1) ensuring effective and uninterrupted flow of information between the Center and the operator;

2) ensuring efficient distribution of messages in areas at risk of crisis situations and ease of understanding the contents of the messages and complying with them[10].

Figure 3.2.1. Example Communication organization scheme between entities carrying out tasks resulting from the "Safety Grid"[11].

Ł.K.          

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