Kenny Meesters, & Thijs van Beek. (2021). Towards a tailor-made modelling language for information flow setups in humanitarian crisis management. In Anouck Adrot, Rob Grace, Kathleen Moore, & Christopher W. Zobel (Eds.), ISCRAM 2021 Conference Proceedings – 18th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 448–458). Blacksburg, VA (USA): Virginia Tech.
Abstract: Over the years many different strategies, approaches and tools have been used in emergency response to connect information flows. In large-scale emergencies different tools, processes and structures are used to coordinate information. This is in part due to the differences in countries, emergencies, and local context, but also personal preferences, capabilities and resources play a role. Despite these differences, being able to compare and contrast various information structures, processes and systems would be beneficial to identify recurring structures and their performance. Modelling languages have been used in many other contexts to support these practices of describing, analyzing and comparing processes. This research examines the need and potential of a tailored modelling language to visualize information flow setups. In this study an initial set of requirements is developed from a literature study and further validated with expert in-depth interview. These requirements are compared with existing modelling languages to identify key building blocks of the language. The results provide key considerations for the development of a new modelling language to describe information flows in a consistent and structured manner.
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Andreas Lotter, Konrad Barth, Brauner Florian, Florian Steyer, Ompe Aime Mudimu, & Alex Lechleuthner. (2016). Measurement of information flows in rescue exercises in the aftermath of the collapse of a building. In A. Tapia, P. Antunes, V.A. Bañuls, K. Moore, & J. Porto (Eds.), ISCRAM 2016 Conference Proceedings ? 13th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Abstract: Collapsed buildings are one of the most complex challenges for rescue forces. The large amount of incoming information in particular is a major challenge to handle for the involved forces. The Assessment of this information is necessary in order to be able to give reliable statements about the number of buried and missing victims. To improve the handling of the information, the authors have developed a method to measure information flow during rescue exercises after the collapse of a building. This method has been developed within VERVE, a research project subsidized by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The method has been evaluated and tested through two exercises.
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Holger Fritze, & Christian Kray. (2015). Community and Governmental Responses to an Urban Flash Flood. In L. Palen, M. Buscher, T. Comes, & A. Hughes (Eds.), ISCRAM 2015 Conference Proceedings ? 12th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Kristiansand, Norway: University of Agder (UiA).
Abstract: In summer of 2014 the city of Münster experienced an urban flash flood not seen before with such intensity in Germany. This paper investigates the subsequent governmental and ad-hoc community response actions with a focus on the chronologies of Facebook and Twitter usage. Interviews identified drawbacks of coordinating volunteers in social media ecosystems. Possible solutions to overcome issues related to the interaction of community and official relief activities are identified.
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Vimala Nunavath, Jaziar Radianti, Tina Comes, & Andreas Prinz. (2015). Visualization of Information Flows and Exchanged Information: Evidence from an indoor fire game. In L. Palen, M. Buscher, T. Comes, & A. Hughes (Eds.), ISCRAM 2015 Conference Proceedings ? 12th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Kristiansand, Norway: University of Agder (UiA).
Abstract: Understanding information flows is essential to improve coordination information systems. Aims of such systems are typically reducing information overload and improving situational awareness. Yet, there is a lack of intuitive and easily understandable tools that help to structure and visualize the ad hoc information flows that occur during search and rescue operations. In this paper, we present the concept of such an analysis, and present findings from an indoor serious fire game. For this game, we describe the interactions of Emergency Responders (ER), including individual information (over-)load, and descriptions of content of communications. This approach therefore provides an effective way to learn about active teams, information flows, exchanged information, and overload.
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Delia Berrouard, Krisztina Cziner, & Adrian Boukalov. (2006). Emergency scenario user perspective in public safety communication systems. In M. T. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2006 – 3rd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 386–396). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: In the area of emergency response communication technologies, consideration of organization structure is critical in order to begin the understanding of user needs and optimize the development of effective technologies. User studies were carried out during the Wireless Deployable Network System European project-WIDENS. This paper discusses the information flow and spatial distribution of different European organizations involved in emergency response for various large-scale scenarios. The paper presents the operational view of emergency situation and related communication flows in several countries. Key results revealed that similarities exist in organizational roles, holding specific responsibilities in terms of location and task. Hierarchical arrangements and information flow may also be similar. However, difficulties lie in the efficient transmission of information due to slow information flow. Spatial distribution of personnel varies for scenarios. Future European studies are recommended for the advancement of our understanding of these newly addressed issues in public safety communication technologies and the needs of users in Europe.
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