Please type your request about role of electrical engineer in disaster management

Watching the dramatic events of
the Beaconsfield mine disaster, one
could not help but reflect on the role
engineering plays in such rescue
situations. As Professor Hebblewhite
points out on page 11, the rescue
highlighted the ingenuity of mining
engineering, the extraordinary people
skills and the advances in technology
that led to the essential communication page link with the two men
and their ultimate safe removal from the collapsed mine.
Humanitarian and disaster-relief engineering is the theme
of our special feature this issue. We explore the invaluable role
played by organisations such as RedR, Engineering Aid and
Engineers without Borders, examine the vital role that engineers
play when chaos reigns and question what more as a profession
we can do to highlight the value of engineering in both the
prevention and alleviation of disasters.
I noted with interest a study at an American University, in
which researchers are looking to nature – specifically, to ants,
bees and viruses – for ways to improve human collaboration
during disaster relief efforts.
The research team, which includes biological, computer and
social scientists and civil engineers, will apply their natural-world
findings to three major areas: collaboration among organisations
involved in disaster-relief efforts; the use of information
technology to support preparedness, response and recovery
tasks; and the emerging role of civil engineers as key first
responders to disasters.
They say the civil engineer’s role – particularly the engineers
and contractors who were involved with the original design and
construction of the critical physical infrastructure – needs to
be extended beyond infrastructure life-cycle management and
sustainability to also involve first response against disasters.
Engineers of all specialisations have much to offer this
valuable work. I hope you find the feature food for thought and
enjoy the reading elsewhere in the issue