OVERVIEW

Needless to say, the role that cellular phones and their providers played during these trying times have created a renewed interest in all things wireless, in general, and cellular, in particular. While the utility of cell phones and other wireless devices in shaping the response to a crisis had never before been examined, it was made crystal clear in September 2001 that modern, robust communications systems can play a major role in successful disaster management. Devices such as, laptops, handheld computers, PDAs, interactive pagers and cell phones can be the lifeline needed for governmental agencies, disaster relief organizations and the business community to stay afloat during a crisis.

Workers across the nation were forced to morph into "mobile workers" making cellular connections do the kinds of jobs normally performed by the landline PSTN, scrambling to get their work done on laptops, handhelds and PDAs, working their e-mail and short messaging services as never before. People found themselves not only at disaster's doorstep, but also in a state of paralysis, stranded at airports and in trains, hotels and other places on the road.

Businesses can learn much from this experience. It can help them to prepare for the future a future where their employees can keep in touch and stay productive under even the most trying conditions.

WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE

The American Red Cross Disaster Service (ARCDS) understands the value of wireless technology during a crisis. Like any other organization, it still tries to meet its objectives during the aftermath...