Communication technology support in disaster-prone areas: Case study of earthquake, tsunami and liquefaction in Palu, Indonesia

The present study was aimed to investigate to what extent the communication technology support in facing the danger of natural disaster in Indonesia regions. A 7.7 magnitude earthquake and tsunami with damage scale of IV-VI MMI devastated electricity network infrastructure and shut down the communication network infrastructure throughout Palu city, Central Sulawesi. As many as thirty respondents were interviewed to give information about how people could make communication during the emergency responses. The findings revealed that a number of cellular technology devices such as two-way radio system and satellite phone were two reliable devices to use during the emergency response coordination. In addition, the use of mobile BTS technology could be used to cover the needs of communication for people living in prone-disaster areas.