Wireless communication technology applied to disaster response.

Communication during disasters is frequently inadequate. In addition to having competent communication skills, medical responders must have access to adequate, effective, and reliable communications equipment. Wireless communication technologies are rapidly evolving. The medical community needs a basic understanding of existing and emerging technologies to fully exploit these new resources. Wireless communication technologies for disaster response include radio pagers, radios, cellular telephones, satellite communications, and personal communication services. This article explores concepts of each of these technologies, basic descriptions of current and future equipment, applications of the equipment to medical disaster response, and advantages and disadvantages of each technology.