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Ms. Helen M. Wood
NOAA (USA)
Chair, DMSG
The Ad Hoc Working Group on Disaster Management Support (DMSG) planned its work at a meeting in Tokyo, Japan, February 2000 and began to implement its plan at a workshop in Ottawa, Canada, June 2000. Space agencies and industries exchanged views on ways to make information from Earth observation satellites more accessible and affordable. Hazard teams refined their information needs. Participants agreed on working closely with the United Nations (UN) International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) and the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). DMSG was invited to collaborate with future ISDR and COPUOS disaster management activities.
Under a mandate “to support natural and technological disaster management
on a worldwide basis by fostering improved utilization of existing and
planned Earth observation satellite data,” DMSG participants organized
their work during a planning meeting hosted by the National Space Development
Agency of Japan in Tokyo, February 2000. They advanced a demonstration
phase of the work plan at the DMSG workshop, hosted by the Canada Centre
for Remote Sensing, in Ottawa, June 2000.
In Tokyo, participants agreed to demonstrate coordination among space
agencies in responding to specific disasters. The European Space Agency
(ESA) and the French Space Agency (CNES) drafted and presented in Ottawa
a proposed set of guidelines under which space agencies could conduct multi-mission
tasking of existing satellites, on a best efforts basis, as demonstrations
of joint support for specific hazards. In addition, it was agreed that
the DMSG can both support and learn from the experiences of agencies participating
in the ESA-CNES “Charter” that was announced in July 1999 at UNISPACE
III and formally signed in June 2000.
In Ottawa, representatives from four commercial remote sensing operators
(Spot Image, RADARSAT International, Orbimage and Space Imaging) provided
perspectives on using satellite data for disaster management support. The
Hazard teams reported on their activities. The new Ice Hazards Team will
review and assess operational efforts to use remote sensing data to identify
potential hazards to ships operating
in ice-covered waters. Team leads are David Benner (National Ice Center,
USA) and Bruce Ramsey (Ice Services Canada). Hiroshi Ohkura was appointed
co-lead for the Landslide Team and Ren Capes (NPA Group, UK) co-lead for
the Earthquake Team. The DMSG is working closely with WGISS to enhance
the utility of the CEOS International Directory Network for disaster applications.
The DMSG will work closely with UN ISDR and COPUOS -- both of which
have roles in coordinating aspects of disaster management. Through liaison
with these UN entities, DMSG can fulfill its mandate of “fostering improved
utilization of existing and planned
Earth observation satellite data” in pursuing common, humanitarian
goals.
For more information, see the project website at disaster.ceos.org or
contact DMSG Chair, Helen Wood
(email: Helen.Wood@noaa.gov;
Tel: +1-301-457-5120; Fax: +1-301-457-5184).
Mr. Yukio Haruyama
Remote Sensing Technology
Center of Japan
The International Symposium on Satellite Remote Sensing towards the 21st Century was held on July 10-11, 2000 at the Capitol Tokyu Hotel in Tokyo, Japan. The Symposium was organized by the Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan (RESTEC) in commemoration of its 25th Anniversary and attracted a sizeable audience (660 participants) from both international and domestic agencies.
The Symposium was opened by Mr. Hiroyuki Osawa, President of RESTEC,
who expressed his great appreciation to the contributors and
participants of this special event. Among the speakers, Dr. David Williams,
EUMETSAT represented CEOS on behalf of Dr. Marcio Barbosa, CEOS Chairman,
INPE. He addressed current CEOS activities, IGOS implementation, and Japan’s
contribution through the efforts of
STA/NASDA and RESTEC.
The main theme of the Symposium was “collaboration on international
satellite remote sensing between governmental agencies and private
sectors.” During the two day symposium, we were treated to informative
and enlightening presentations from representatives of government
agencies and private sector organizations worldwide, including: CCRS,
(to be continued on page 7.)