Communication problems after the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011.

OBJECTIVES

After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the resource utilization of and the problems encountered with communication devices were examined.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey was submitted to disaster medical assistance teams (DMATs) that were at the primary sites of destruction after the earthquake.

RESULTS

We collected data from 196 teams. During the first 4 days after the earthquake, the use of mobile phones, laptop computers, and landline phones was rated as poor to moderate, and satisfaction was very low, while satisfaction with satellite phones was rated as good to moderate (50%). The degree of satisfaction continued to increase gradually over time. Satellite phones, however, had several problems: poor reception, line instability, voice call use only, and inability to send large amounts of data.

CONCLUSIONS

To ensure effective communication during the acute phase in the aftermath of large disasters, a new satellite communication device is needed that not only is portable, battery powered, and able to send large volumes of data, but also offers stable communication.