A General Framework for Mitigation-oriented Planning Assessments of Mobile Telecommunications Lifelines (MTL)

This article describes a generalframework for hazard mitigation-oriented planning assessments of mobile telecommunications lifelines. Geographic information systems (GIS) provide an integrated platform on which to operationalize this framework. Our view is that the creation and adoption of a mitigation-oriented assessment framework could provide the basis for better decision-making on the part of public officials and telecommunications carriers alike by providing a standard reference point for consultation and consensus-building. A standard point of consultation is a crucial first step toward a program of long-term risk reduction for emergency communications, contributing to more resilient communities across Canada.