Ronja Addams-Moring. (2007). Tsunami self-evacuation of a group of western travelers and resulting requirements for multi-hazard early warning. In K. Nieuwenhuis P. B. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Intelligent Human Computer Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM 2007 Academic Proceedings Papers (pp. 83–92). Delft: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: This paper describes the experiences of a West-European project group in Sri Lanka in March 2005, during a tsunami threat. They had previous disaster related knowledge and used both local guidance, global media and contacts back home, but could not get adequate information about how much time they had, how likely a tsunami was, or which countries had ordered evacuations. Their decision to evacuate was based on their own reasoning and influenced most by one trusted local resident. Their mobile phone communication with their relations in Europe created a de facto ad hoc mobile emergency announcement (MEA) system. Their decision to return relied heavily on the ad hoc MEA text messages, as local authorities had not yet issued an all-clear. The findings underline the importance of multiple early warning languages and delivery channels and suggest that when relevant, 'event onset time' should be explicit in early warning.
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Naci Dilekli, & Tarek Rashed. (2007). Towards a GIS data model for improving the emergency response in the Least Developing Countries: Challenges and opportunities. In K. Nieuwenhuis P. B. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Intelligent Human Computer Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM 2007 Academic Proceedings Papers (pp. 57–62). Delft: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Over the past few years, several standardized GIS data models have been developed to document “best practices” database designs for various application domains including the domain of emergency management. The majority of such models, however, have been developed in the context of developed countries as in the case of the Homeland Security geodatabase data model by ESRI®. These data models fail to be successful when transferred and used in the context of Least Developing Countries (LDCs) due to significant contextual differences in the domains of information systems and emergency practices. Therefore, developing GIS data models that are specifically designed for emergency response activities in LDCs are needed to improve existing emergency response practices in these countries. This paper reviews the state of development in GIS data models and the potential benefits and applications of building models that are specifically designed to support emergency response activities in LDCs. We first discusses why it is important to differentiate emergency response activities in LDCs from other contexts. We then present some theoretical considerations in developing GIS data models that can overcome contextual difficulties in LDCs in general and in the domain of information systenms. We finally attempt to provide key guidelines that may help designing a GIS Data Model, while is specifically referenced to the LDCs context.
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T.L. Van Zyl, C. Parbhoo, Moodley, Cwela, D. Umuhoza, P. Shabangu, et al. (2009). IT infrastructure enabling open access for flood risk preparedness in South Africa. In S. J. J. Landgren (Ed.), ISCRAM 2009 – 6th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Boundary Spanning Initiatives and New Perspectives. Gothenburg: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: The paper focuses on the information technology infrastructure required for the evaluation and monitoring of risk relating to floods in South Africa. It may be argued that in the context of developing countries, flood preparedness is more valuable than the actual response to a flood disaster. The paper looks at this flood preparedness in the context of informal and semi-formal settlements. An information technology infrastructure is proposed that will allow decision makers to be alerted to possible flood high risk areas, and in so doing maximise preparedness.
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Max Wyss. (2005). Earthquake loss estimates applied in real time and to megacity risk assessment. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 297–299). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Real time loss estimates within one to two hours after major earthquakes are becoming useful for disaster managers and rescue teams to respond rapidly and at an optimal level. Tests show that the accuracy is low, but major disasters can be reliably distinguished from inconsequential earthquakes. Many technical and organizational aspects of these estimates can and should be improved. An analysis of what magnitude of disaster is likely to occur, if a major earthquake should occur near a megacity in a developing country shows that much work needs to be done to mitigate the risk, and that the global community is ill prepared to deal with such large disasters.
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