Abstract: This work-in-progress paper presents preliminary findings of ongoing research into alternative peer-to-peer (P2P) communication methods for earthquake early warning (EEW) systems. It expands upon previous work (Prasanna et al., 2022) that explores a network architecture for a decentralised EEW system. This paper explores using Quick UDP Internet Connections (QUIC) over a hole-punched UDP tunnel as a potential alternative to a Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) for peer-to-peer networking in an experimental EEW network architecture. The performance of QUIC is tested and compared to TCP over ZeroTier, an SD-WAN chosen as a P2P communication method in the previous work, over a realistic network topology. The results show that QUIC can outperform TCP over ZeroTier. Future work is needed to produce a method suitable for actual use in an EEW system. This paper contributes to the EEW literature by introducing a new method of communication tailored for EEW.

Abstract: Many organizations train and educate their staff to prepare for crisis. One approach is train-the-trainer (ToT; Training of trainers) concept. It is based on the idea that someone can be trained as a trainer, who in turn train their colleagues. The philosophy resembles a pyramid scheme that allows for a fast and efficient spread of knowledge and skills. This study focused on perceptions of the ToT concept through interviews with ToT trainers. Two learning theories, organizational learning (4I) and experiential learning theory (ELT) were used to conceptualize the ToT-concept. It was found that the ToT-concept can be used as the method to conduct ELT to achieve organizational learning and knowledge (4I). Furthermore, the study also presents how participants perceives ToT using thematic analysis. This resulted in four themes: Common understanding of ToT, Learn-by doing, No grounding in ToT, and Difficult to ensure quality.

Abstract: Inter-organizational exercises are commonly conducted with the aim to improve overall crisis response system performance. However, there are challenges associated with establishing learning goals for, designing and evaluating inter-organizational exercises. This work-in-progress paper applies a systems science perspective on the Swedish crisis response system with the aim to understand (1) what kind of a system it is (2) what properties or mechanisms enable good system performance?, and, (3) what are desirable training goals for improving the crisis response capability of the Swedish crisis response system? The author suggests that (1) the Swedish crisis response system can be seen as a Complex Adaptive System, and (2) that the focus must shift from exercising organizations' intra-organizational capabilities to adaptive capabilities. The latter can be achieved by designing exercises comprising boundary-crossing activities with the purpose to support the buildup of boundary-crossing competence. Cross-organizational learning can be achieved by identifying, documenting and disseminating boundary stories.

Abstract: This paper presents an ethnographic study consisting of non-participatory observations of a Swedish regional medical command and control team during their crisis response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The field-notes from the observations were analyzed using a deductive content analysis with categories representing teamwork processes. The content analysis showed that the studied regional medical command and control team was engaged in all but one of the predefined teamwork processes. Furthermore, the content analysis also added to the understanding of the regional medical command and control team’s work procedures by emphasizing how the team was engaged in the different processes. Lastly, the content analysis also made it possible to identify potential developmental needs of the studied regional medical command and control team.

Abstract: An active shooter event is one of the most complicated situations a police officer could face. Today the standard procedure for an active shooter event is to enter the scene and try to prevent casualties. This involves taking great risks and puts the police officers in a situation they have not been trained for. This is a work in progress paper where the long-term goal is to develop modern technology that could increase the chance of saving lives and decrease the risk of being injured or killed during an active shooter event. Six active shooter event exercises taking place in Sweden have been studied using an ethnographic field study approach. Four themes have been identified where we argue that technology could enhance the police mission: A) Situational awareness; B) Decision making/prioritization; C) Localization of both sound and people; D) Decreasing time of intervention.

Abstract: This conceptual paper critically discusses opportunities for and challenges to the development and exploitation of blockchain-based solutions for resilience management at inter-organizational level of interdependent Critical Infrastructure (CI) systems. The main premise behind this idea is that trustful information-sharing and inter-institutional collaboration are the key elements of government and private sector efforts to build CI resilience (CIR). The discussion presents a vision that the adoption and adaptation of Blockchain Technology (BCT) could significantly improve the way a network of stakeholders prepares for and performs in face of inevitable CI disruptions. Even though BCT is regarded as technological innovation, the impacts go far beyond information systems. BCT application in this domain would entail significant benefits to organizational, managerial, legal and social issues, but would require adequate operational and organizational changes. We discuss how interdisciplinary approach (BCT and CIR) could address existing challenges, how it could introduce new challenges and how it could support other approaches and paradigms currently being regarded as the future of risk and resilience management. Even though the discussion in this paper is focused on Critical Infrastructure resilience, each point also applies to Crisis/Disaster management domain in general. This is a preliminary overview with the aim to stimulate further discussions and point to possible new, disruptive and interdisciplinary research avenues. To this end, a possible research agenda is eventually proposed.

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has tested Canada's readiness capacity as emergency health needs continue to exceed some communities' capacity to respond. To address this variance, the Canadian Red Cross (in collaboration with local, provincial, territorial, national, and Indigenous partners) have leveraged international experience in humanitarian response and preparedness, developing innovative new response services, delivery modalities, and protocol through which to mitigate and manage risk. This approach breaks down emergency management into two main streams – health interventions and disaster management – to innovatively and effectively cope with increasingly complex and frequent requests for support. Using internal data from within the Canadian Red Cross, this paper presents and discusses the services, roles and expectations of this two-stream approach which has been designed to (i.) support COVID-19 testing and vaccination, (ii.) support outbreak crisis management, especially through epidemic, prevention, and control interventions, and (iii.) support traditional emergency management responses in the midst of a pandemic. It concludes by reporting on the successes of the two-stream approach to date while scoping further the potential evolutionary track of some of these services, their underpinning methodology, and appetite for recovery operations in the near future. This approach may therefore be of value to other organizations or practitioners coping with emergency management challenges during a pandemic.

Abstract: Disasters are a major global problem and a serious threat to sustainable development. In this context, the development of disaster management systems becomes a complex activity, both due to the unpredictability of the events to be treated and the difficulty in extracting or identifying these systems users' needs (requirements). This study aims to understand the requirements usually elicited for disaster management systems and how such requirements are identified. Thus, a systematic mapping of literature (SM) and an open-source repository mining (RM) were performed. Results bring benefits both to academics and practitioners, as detail several characteristics of disaster management systems that could assist these systems development and decision-making, besides providing inputs to guide further research.

Abstract: This article focuses on the question of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on air pollution. The chosen approach is based on the principle of “Physics of Decision” (POD), which considers: (i) the performance of a system as a physical trajectory within the framework of its performance indicators, (ii) risks or opportunities (potentialities) as forces that may deviate that trajectory, and (iii) benefits or damages (actualities) as concrete deviations of the performance trajectory. The daily data about the air pollution in Paris area (France) has been gathered for eight years (2014-2021) and three main performance indicators have been chosen. Then, the performance trajectory of each year has been plotted and the expected trajectories of 2020 and 2021 have been guessed from the previous ones. The deviation between the expected and actual trajectories of 2020 and 2021 have been assessed, and using physics and motion laws, evaluated as a deviation force.

Abstract: Crises always impose a difficult compromise between safety and liberty, and the COVID-19 pandemic is no different. Governments have enforced various sanitary restrictions to reduce virus spread. With the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the scale of surveillance has risen to unprecedented levels. However, these technologies entail many risks, from potential errors or biases, to their extended enforcement beyond the duration of the initial crisis. Citizens should be aware that these technologies are not infallible, and measure the consequences of errors, so as to make informed decisions about what they want to accept, and for how long. To this aim, we have designed a serious game in the form of a municipal debate between citizens of a virtual town. Some first test sessions helped us improve the game design, and provided proof of the interest of this game to trigger debates and raise awareness.

Abstract: Bushfire modelling has advanced with wildfire simulators such as Spark and Phoenix Rapidfire that can generate plausible fire dynamics and simulations that decision-makers can easily explore. With extreme weather impacting the Australian landscapes through the onset of droughts and heatwaves, it is becoming more important to make decisions rapidly from fire simulations. An element of this decision-making process is trust, in which the decision-maker feels empowered to make decisions from models of complex systems like fire. We propose a framework for decision-making that makes use of a fire emulator, a surrogate version of Spark, to facilitate faster exploration of wildfire predictions and their uncertainties under a changing climate. We discuss the advantages and next steps of an emulator model using the mechanisms and conditions framework, a powerful vocabulary and design framework that builds in trust to allow users of a technology to understand and accept the features of a system.

Abstract: Computer and virtual simulation-based training (CST) offer several benefits for emergency response and management preparedness. However, organizations responsible for training are often hesitant to use CST, based on cost and perceived lack of benefit when compared to live simulation training (LST). This paper investigates how CST can complement LST, and how it contributes to achieving the necessary learning objectives for level one fire and rescue service incident commanders (ICs). Data and examples come from an experimental study with students from different fire and rescue services trained in the role of the IC in LST and CST, in a similar scenario. Results show the cost and benefits of the CST implementation based on evaluations from learners, instructors and responsible managers. Participants had a positive attitude towards using virtual simulations, but the results also point to barriers regarding the suitable design of learning scenarios and implementation.