Disaster communication of the Merapi slope community

This research aims to examine disaster communication performed by the community of Turgo, Purwobinangun, Pakem. Sleman. The research was conducted utilizing a qualitative method, and the data were collected through interviews and Focus Group Discussions. The research objects include the community members living in Turgo consisting of teenagers, adults, the elderly, the search and rescue (SAR) team, and village heads. The research results show that the people living in Turgo utilize many sources of information in accessing disaster information, including surveillance and reconnaissance posts (wastai posts), social media, interpersonal communication, and group communication. The information is delivered through Whatsapp Group, Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, direct/ face-to-face communication, traditional bamboo slit drum (kentongan), motorcycle horns, and speakers. In addition, the resident's response is very positive in responding to any call/order from the authorities. In other words, no citizen rejected the call given. Also, opinion leaders do not have a significant role in disaster communication. The SAR team has a higher position than the opinion leader as they know the conditions in the field better

IoT-based Lava Flood Early Warning System with Rainfall Intensity Monitoring and Disaster Communication Technology

A lava flood disaster is a volcanic hazard that often occurs when heavy rains are happening at the top of a volcano. This flood carries volcanic material from upstream to downstream of the river, affecting populous areas located quite far from the volcano peak. Therefore, an advanced early warning system of cold lava floods is inarguably vital. This paper aims to present a reliable, remote, Early Warning System (EWS) specifically designed for lava flood detection, along with its disaster communication system. The proposed system consists of two main subsystems: lava flood detection and disaster communication systems. It utilizes a modified automatic rain gauge; a novel configured vibration sensor; Fuzzy Tree Decision algorithm; ESP microcontrollers that support IoT, and disaster communication tools (WhatsApp, SMS, radio communication). According to the experiment results, the prototype of rainfall detection using the tipping bucket rain gauge sensor can measure heavy and moderate rainfall intensities with 81.5% accuracy. Meanwhile, the prototype of earthquake vibration detection using a geophone sensor can remove noise from car vibrations with a Kalman filter and measure vibrations in high and medium intensity with an accuracy of 89.5%. Measurements from sensors are sent to the webserver. The disaster mitigation team uses data from the webserver to evacuate residents using the disaster communication method. The proposed system was successfully implemented in Mount Merapi, Indonesia, coordinated with the local Disaster Deduction Risk (DDR) forum. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-SP1-011 Full Text: PDF

Social Cohesion through Social Media as Part of Disaster Information System in Disaster Prone Area

Social media is one of the disaster communication means for social cohesion in information retrieval. However, Karo Regency has limitedly use WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. This study aimed to evaluate social media Instagram and Facebook as part of the disaster information system in disaster-prone areas to improve social cohesion in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. This study combined qualitative and quantitative evaluation. Qualitative evaluation steps consist of (1) setting goals; (2) classification; (3) stating structured goals; (4) collecting data; (5) analyzing results of observations and measurements. Based on the evaluation, Instagram has been inactive since April 1, 2020, and Facebook has been inactive on August 17, 2017, due to the absence of competent human resources (HR). The use of internal WhatsApp groups is due to the unpreparedness in dealing with public comments. Based on a survey in early June 2021 to the Karo community showed that 56.3% of respondents were familiar with the Karo BPBD social media. The trust level of social media users for social cohesion in the disaster-prone area of Karo Regency was very high at 56.3%. Respondents believed that information conveyed through social media uploads is able to improve social cohesion in dealing with various disasters. This is formed because of the sense of belonging, social trust, generalized reciprocity, and social harmony. This study contributed in the form of BPBD policies in managing social media as an information system to improve social cohesion in the disaster-prone area ofKaro Regency. The new findings theoretically added caring in Johnson's Social Cohesion Theory.

Role of frequency modulation radio in disaster communication: A case study of Pakistan earthquake

Pakistan suffered from a massive earthquake in October 2005 that caused the deaths of more than 87 000 people. As a result of this calamity, around 3.5 million affected people had no access to information. In these scenarios, community media became an important catalyst. In developing countries, radio had proved far more accessible and useful than any other medium. But because of this natural hazard, local media also suffered heavily as dozens of journalists died and media houses and press clubs were destroyed. The current study attempted to explore the role of frequency modulation (FM) radio stations working in the earthquake hit areas in Pakistan. These stations were temporarily setup to inform the victims about the rehabilitation and reconstruction plans of the agencies involved. The data has been collected qualitatively through five focus group discussions which were conducted in the earthquake affected areas. Twelve in-depth interviews were also conducted for this purpose with FM stations personnel. The results revealed that the FM radio stations played a very important role in the rehabilitation phase by providing vital information to the victims, relief agencies and government. Lifesaving information like weather updates, precautionary measures in the tents, public service announcements and encouraging messages provided some hope to the victims to restart a normal life, and also motivated the students to restart their studies in makeshift schools.These FM networks became the voice of the affected people and helped a lot in bridging the communication gaps between the affected, relief agencies and government, and also ensured citizens’ participation in decision-making processes.

Using New Media and Social Media in Disaster Communication

New media and social media have changed the frame of communication that appears quickly, is interactive, and has no geographical boundaries. The media plays an essential role in disseminating accurate and responsible information in a disaster situation. The strategy of using communication media will reduce the impacts arising from disasters in the mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery phases. Through a literature review, the author presents disaster communication, strategies, and using media in disasters. The research use case studies are the natural disaster of Mount Merapi and the Covid-19 pandemic to represent non-natural disasters. The results of the analysis show that sensitivity to the situation is an adequate response in a disaster. Furthermore, new media and social media tend to be sufficient as the primary source of information for the public, coordination, and fundraising. The effectiveness of media use in the Merapi disaster is the beginning of new media and social media in disaster communication in Indonesia. This media is also used in disaster management during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of media in both case studies is considered adequate to reduce the negative impacts arising from the disaster. It is hoped this idea will contribute to disaster communication studies.

Dissemination of Disaster Communication and Information via Instagram @bpbdkaro

The social media Instagram @bpbdkaro as a source of communication and disaster information dissemination in the Karo community is no longer active. The purpose of this study was to find a disaster communication planning model in the communication and information dissemination process from the Karo Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to the community through the Instagram @bpbdkaro social media account. This study uses qualitative evaluation research methods, data collection techniques with Focus Group Discussion and interviews with Instagram managers, the Head of Planning for the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and field observations. Quantitative evaluation method with data collection techniques is carried out online through Google Form to 50 people who use social media randomly. The evaluation results show that Instagram social media is used by the majority of respondents (28%) as the main source of searching for disaster information in Karo, but @bpbdkaro social media is not active because the Karo Regency BPBD does not dare to face negative comments from the community and the unavailability of human resources to manage it. This causes the dissemination process of disaster communication and information through social media Instagram @bpbdkaro not going well to achieve the goal due to the lack of elements of communication planning. The results of the evaluation of researchers with BPBD Karo Regency have carried out communication planning referring to the Cutlip and Center planning theory by covering elements of fact determination, planning, communication, and evaluation. The theoretical new findings in this study provide additional elements of communication competence and resources in the Cutlip and Center Communication Planning Model. The substance of this research contributes in the form of recommendations for communication planning models for the dissemination of disaster communication and information through social media.

Identifying gaps in early warning mechanisms and evacuation procedures for tsunamis in Sri Lanka, with a special focus on the use of social media

Purpose The current National Early Warning System for Sri Lanka (NEWS: SL) was established after the devastations of the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004. Although early warning (EW) systems and evacuation procedures are in place, several areas which need improvements have been emphasized in recent studies carried out in the country. Therefore, this paper aims to outline the gaps in existing EW and EP related to tsunami and other coastal hazards with a special focus on the use of social media for disaster communication based on age groups. Design/methodology/approach This study has drawn on a review of past studies carried out by the same research team to identify the scope of the study. In addition to that, a conceptual framework was developed for the use of social media in the event of a disaster. Based on this conceptual framework, an online questionnaire was administered to identify the current status of the use of social media in Sri Lanka during a disaster situation. In total, 408 responses were collected and analyzed using the binary logistic regression method to evaluate the variation of different predictors associated with the use of social media for disaster communication. Findings Findings of the study revealed that the use of social media for disaster communication depends on the previous experience of users and their age. The gender of users does not affect the use of social media for disaster communication. Therefore, the accuracy and timeliness of disaster information distributed via social media should be improved further to enhance the use of social media for disaster communication. Moreover, the findings have highlighted unaddressed issues in areas such as governance; communication of technical agencies; evacuation and shelters; and response of the community. Originality/value This paper has identified key areas that need attention in the process of enhancing the use of social media for disaster communication. More use of technological platforms such as social media for receiving disaster-related information can address issues such as bottlenecks in communication, poor awareness and lack of last-mile dissemination. Furthermore, this paper has proposed recommendations for addressing the identified gaps in the overall EW mechanisms and EP pertaining to tsunamis and other coastal hazards to enhance the coastal disaster resilience in Sri Lanka.