A potentially life-saving disaster response radio unit was field-trialled in the Philippines in June 2007. Margaret Storey reports.
Volcano in Philippines Lights flashing and sirens blaring, the convoy of police vehicles rushed through the disaster-prone island of Legaspi. Within minutes the radio team were hard at work, setting up a disaster response radio station in makeshift tents on top of the police headquarters, and less than 40 minutes later First Response: voice in the midst of calamity was on the air.
Years in the making
The first trial run of the First Response radio unit was a culmination of many years’ work and research in the area of disaster response radio. Back in 2000, FEBC commissioned a report by Health Communications Resources (HCR) on the vital role which radio had to play following major disasters. Feba and FEBC then witnessed these lessons first-hand following the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, working to get emergency stations and programmes on the air. In India, the suitcase studio’s potential was explored even further as Feba staff took it to a remote area to interview survivors.
Further work in disaster response radio would follow later after a major Pakistan earthquake, when Feba Pakistan’s FM Development Manager Hazeen Latif would start broadcasts for survivors.
A First Response ‘kit’ was assembled, including a Feba suitcase studio, a 500W FM transmitter and radios for distribution. Then in June 2007, Hazeen joined the First Response coordinator, along with a team from FEBC, HCR, government and aid agencies, to go out and put the unit to the test.
Facing ‘field conditions’
The trial in mid-June started with a three-day workshop in Manila, facilitated by HCR. As one of the instructors, Hazeen shared what Feba had learned from the recent Pakistan disaster. He said: “The Pakistan earthquake really highlighted the importance of the ‘message’. After the earthquake there was total panic and different messages were coming through different relief organisations and channels. Some people were saying it is a nuclear test by our neighbour India and some said we are at war!”
Earthquake affected area A field trial followed in the east coast city of Legaspi, with the team putting what they had learned to the test. Legaspi suffers from regular typhoons as well as being home to an active volcano. Only a few months earlier over 2,000 people were killed in a mudslide, and the First Response trial was warmly welcomed by local, provincial and regional officials. The antenna was mounted on a water tank and the 500W transmitter reached a surprising 20-25km area. Torrential rains swept into the sides of the tent daily. A local church group donated meals for the team.
Hazeen said: “A trial run such as First Response really tests your nerve! The most challenging part was to stay awake for three days and keep the transmission on air. I was station manager along with FEBC’s Caloy Dinio, who is Filipino. The whole exercise was a challenge for us to keep the station running for three days without any break.”
The First Response coordinator added: “The field conditions were intentionally very tiring. It was hot and humid. We ran the station 24 hours a day and it was always manned. On the second day the power failed and we discovered the police office had a backup generator so we continued to operate on their generator until power came back.”
Faith in action
Rather than simulating a fake disaster, the team focused their programmes on how to survive future disasters, including interviewing rescue workers and survivors of the recent mudslides.
On the first day the team received 174 text messages in response to their youth programme. The trial was also featured on the local network television channel.
Hazeen added: “These trial runs give you the feeling and passion to help others in time of real need. Our response to disasters is a testimony to our Christian faith, especially in a country like Pakistan where testifying to your faith is not easy. It is showing our faith in action.”