Koro Alert Siren

What it does

The Koro Alert Siren delivers real-time natural disaster alerts to remote Pacific Island communities. Strategically placed around the island, it utilises technologies to enhance the disaster preparedness of vulnerable residents in rural villages.

Your inspiration

The decision to solve the problem of inadequate disaster preparedness in Fiji stemmed from personal experiences and a deep connection to my heritage. With my Fijian ethnicity, I've seen the devastating impact of natural disasters. My grandfather, a community leader, manually alerted his compound from the back of a ute, a labour-intensive and limited method. Witnessing this and my family's firsthand experiences of climate change's effects inspired me to create a more efficient solution. The Koro Alert Siren leverages modern technology to ensure better preparedness, honouring our heritage and fostering community resilience.

How it works

The Koro Alert Siren enhances disaster preparedness in remote Pacific Island communities with advanced, accessible technology. It features a circuit board and specialised V-chip, powered by four lithium-ion batteries charged by high-efficiency solar panels, ensuring operation even during adverse weather. The siren connects to satellite and radio networks, receiving real-time updates from the National Weather Agency. A built-in radio receiver chip ensures continuous communication if the satellite fails. Strategically placed, each siren covers up to a 25km radius, effectively reaching widespread areas. The siren also features inclusive design elements to ensure all residents, regardless of language or physical ability, can understand the alerts. Once the National Weather Agency receives the information, it alerts it to the satellite, which then signals the specific sirens in which the disaster will impact.

Design process

The design process for the Koro Alert Siren took 14 weeks from concept to presentation, starting with a desire to create something connected to my Fijian heritage. I began by consulting my family, which led to extensive research, including surveys and interviews with people living in Fiji and Fijians working in environmental sciences. I then developed five initial concepts and presented them, with the siren concept being chosen for further development. The following six weeks were dedicated to iterative prototyping using CAD, clay, paper, and other materials. Throughout this period, I continued to seek feedback from the surveyed individuals to ensure the design was effective and met their needs. University tutors and professors provided invaluable advice, helping refine the design, such as adding a visible light and refining the attachment to the poles. Although there was a lot of back-and-forth about the aesthetics, I had to balance the functionality and requirements, which meant the design didn't need to be visually appealing but practical and effective. This iterative process, grounded in cultural respect and practical functionality, led to the finalisation of the Koro Alert Siren concept.

How it is different

The Koro Alert Siren stands out as the first of its kind in the Pacific Islands. Currently, village leaders alert communities manually. These village alerts do not allow time to prepare, as Fiji has no automated warning systems that do not rely on electricity. The Koro Alert Siren's unique blend of advanced technology, cultural sensitivity, inclusivity, and sustainability sets it apart from other disaster alert systems, making it a comprehensive and effective solution for enhancing disaster preparedness in remote Pacific Island communities.

Future plans

The following steps in developing the Koro Alert Siren are to continue prototyping and developing it to a high level. Given the primary data received from Fijians indicating the siren's potential benefits, I would like to present the project to the Fijian government. The goal would be to secure support and collaboration to make the Koro Alert Siren a reality, enhancing disaster preparedness across the islands. By implementing and testing the Koro Alert Siren within the Pacific Islands, I hope to demonstrate its effectiveness and secure the necessary support to expand this life-saving technology to other vulnerable regions.

Awards

I am proud to share that I won an Adobe Creative Award during my capstone exhibition. This recognition highlights my commitment to innovative design and creative problem-solving, qualities that I have carried forward into the development of the Koro Alert Siren.