Homeland security expert W. David Stephenson takes a look at the government’s response to Hurricane Katrina and compares it to ordinary citizens’ response, and finds that the citizens handily beat out the government in their ability to respond effectively to an emergency.

Writing for Federal Computer Week, Stephenson said that decentralized technologies such as wikis and FRS radios can be used — by ordinary people — to disseminate information much more quickly than a centralized government response ever could.

The spontaneous creation of the KatrinaHelp.info Web site early in the crisis was particularly noteworthy. The wiki uses collaborative software so anyone can add content. By contrast to the rarely updated federal, state and local government Web sites, volunteers constantly revised it. It’s still the most comprehensive information source for those affected by Katrina.

Isn’t it risky letting anyone contribute? Yes, but people can monitor the wiki for accuracy and remove erroneous or malicious content. After comparing KatrinaHelp.info to its woeful government counterparts, I think people would agree the risk is worth it.

What if a disaster wipes out an area’s communications infrastructure, as was the case with cellular towers along the Gulf Coast? A solution was in the Homeland Security Department’s backyard, though most officials did not know about it. The DC Emergency Radio Network (DCERN) is an all-volunteer, self-organized communications network that uses cheap, battery-powered walkie-talkies.

With DCERN as a model, authorities could have delivered walkie-talkies and basic instructions to people on New Orleans rooftops, creating a simple, effective, instant communications system. — David Stephenson

I think I’m going to pick up a set of FRS radios if nobody buys me one for Christmas.

To be fair, some ham radio operators are critical of DCERN and similar ideas such as National SOS, which wants to take DCERN’s basic idea and roll it out nationwide. The main problem is that people will need to remember to turn off the privacy codes on their FRS radios in the event of an emergency, and on many FRS radios this is difficult. Even so, it still has the potential to let people communicate when all other avenues, such as the telephone network, have failed.

“Centralized government emergency communication systems risk obsolescence and are vulnerable to failure in emergencies, which are the worst times for people to learn how to use them. Instead, government should create and promote ‘cookbooks’ with a range of citizen-controlled communications options that preferably capitalize on familiar commercial applications for the growing range of personal communication devices, such as camera phones and cars with OnStar. With minimal guidance, people can collaborate to create solutions based on the situation,” concludes Stephenson.

Citizens, go out and get ready for the next disaster, whatever it may be. Government employees, do what you can to improve the flow of accurate, timely information to the public, especially during a disaster.