In Katrina's Wake, Need for a New GUARD

[Commentary] After 9/11, it became clear that inadequate communications systems hampered rescue efforts and may have contributed to loss of life. Four years later, little has changed. As Congress wrangles over spectrum rights, a unique private-public project has been making notable strides in harnessing bandwidth already available nationwide. The GUARD (Geospatially Aware Urban Approaches for Responding to Disasters) program is developing the Emergency Broadcasting System spectrum for distributing emergency alerts and command and control information to the public, first- responders and homeland-security personnel. GUARD makes use of the robust 2.5 GHz band licensed to public broadcasters coast-to-coast. In conjunction with federal, state and local government, Thirteen/WNET and Rosettex Technology & Ventures Group have adapted this spectrum to the needs of a post-9/11 world.
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