Justine I. Blanford, Jase Bernhardt, Alexander Savelyev, Gabrielle Wong-Parodi, Andrew M. Carleton, David W. Titley, et al. (2014). Tweeting and tornadoes. In and P.C. Shih. L. Plotnick M. S. P. S.R. Hiltz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2014 Conference Proceedings – 11th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 319–323). University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University.
Abstract: Social Media and micro-blogging is being used during crisis events to provide live up-to-date information as events evolve (before, during and after). Messages are posted by citizens or public officials. To understand the effectiveness of these messages, we examined the content of geo-located Twitter messages (“tweets”) sent during the Moore, Oklahoma tornado of May 20th, 2013 (+/-1day) to explore the spatial and temporal relationships of real-time reactions of the general public. We found a clear transition of topics during each stage of the tornado event. Twitter was useful for posting and retrieving updates, reconstructing the sequence of events as well as capturing people's reactions leading up to, during and after the tornado. A long-term goal for the research reported here is to provide insights to forecasters and emergency response personnel concerning the impact of warnings and other advisory messages.
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Simon French, Emma Carter, & Carmen Niculae. (2006). When experts or models disagree. In M. T. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2006 – 3rd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 547–553). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: In managing crises, decision makers are confronted with a plethora of uncertainties. Many arise because the world is uncertain, particularly in the context of a crisis. But some arise because analyses based upon different, but seemingly equivalent models lead to different forecasts. Other times expert advisors differ in their explanations and predictions of the evolving situation. We argue that when handled correctly such conflict can alert the decision makers to the inherent complexity and uncertainty of the situation and improve their management of the crisis.
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Erik R. Janus, Susan Manente, & Sharon L. Lee. (2008). Best practices in chemical emergency risk communication: The Interstate Chemical Terrorism Workgroup. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 774–777). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: The Interstate Chemical Terrorism Workgroup (ICTW) was formed in 2002 and currently includes members from nearly all states and Washington, DC, as well as representation from a number of non-governmental organizations. In addition to offering monthly conference call/presentations, the ICTW partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2003 to host a workshop to address basic elements of risk communication needs in a chemical event. The primary goal of the workshop was to develop a list of core competencies and benchmarks as well as a series of fact sheet templates destined for the general public and press, health care providers, public health department and/or officials, and first response and emergency workers (Lee et al., 2006). Key findings of the 2003 workshop, along with other work being done by CDC, academia and the states, underscore the importance of public health agencies in providing risk communication services during (and particularly after) chemical emergencies, whether intentional or not. Tools developed by the ICTW have been used and/or consulted by many groups involved in public health preparedness. This case study will examine the efforts of Michigan to implement these tools to reduce information overload in an emergency.
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Kathleen Moore. (2017). The Tweet Before the Storm: Assessing Risk Communicator Social Media Engagement During the Prodromal Phase – A Work in Progress. In eds Aurélie Montarnal Matthieu Lauras Chihab Hanachi F. B. Tina Comes (Ed.), Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response And Management (pp. 705–714). Albi, France: Iscram.
Abstract: Social media during the prodromal phase of the crisis lifecycle is critically understudied in the academic literature, as is the understanding of the role of engagement in these mediums by crisis responders and managers in helping the public prepare for a crisis event. This study analyzed 2.8 million tweets captured prior to the landfall of Hurricane Sandy. Risk communicators were identified and their tweets assessed for characteristics in the strategic use of Twitter and their levels of engagement with the general public. This work in progress provides a foundation for a longitudinal studyanalyzing future crisis events and measuring the growth of expertise and engagement in social media by crisis communicators.
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Melissa M. Kelley, Bindu Tharian, & Kimberley I. Shoaf. (2011). Delivering health messages using traditional and new media: Communication preferences of california residents during the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak. In E. Portela L. S. M.A. Santos (Ed.), 8th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: From Early-Warning Systems to Preparedness and Training, ISCRAM 2011. Lisbon: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: In March 2009, a novel influenza A (H1N1) virus emerged from Mexico. The pandemic resulted in a surge of media attention in which a large volume of information was communicated via multiple sources and channels, both traditional and new. In order to better understand the publics perceptions and utilization of health information provided, California residents were surveyed using a mailed questionnaire. Results showed most respondents felt they had received enough information about the outbreak. The study also found participants preferred conventional communication sources, such as television and newspapers, over new media, such websites. Although, there were some statistically significant differences between information source usage by age as well as by education. Even though respondents reported using a variety of sources, as a whole, they were unsure of their accuracy, trustworthiness or usefulness. Further study is needed to understand if these results are representative of experiences in other states and countries.
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Mark Latonero, & Irina Shklovski. (2010). Respectfully yours in safety and service: Emergency management & social media evangelism. In C. Zobel B. T. S. French (Ed.), ISCRAM 2010 – 7th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Defining Crisis Management 3.0, Proceedings. Seattle, WA: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: In this paper we consider how emergency response organizations utilize available social media technologies to communicate with the public in emergencies and to potentially collect valuable information using the public as sources of information on the ground. We discuss the use of public social media tools from the emergency management professionals. viewpoint with a particular focus on the use of Twitter. Little research has investigated Twitter usage in crisis situations from an organizational perspective. This paper contributes to our understanding of organizational innovation, risk communication, and technology adoption by emergency management. An in-depth case study of Public Information Officers of the Los Angeles Fire Department highlights the importance of the information evangelist within emergency management organizations and details the challenges those organizations face with an engagement with social media and Twitter. This article provides insights into practices and challenges of new media implementation for crisis and risk management organizations.
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Elizabeth Losh. (2007). The birth of the Virtual Clinic: Game spaces in the Virtual Practicum and the Virtual Terrorism Response Academy. 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. 551–556). Delft: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: The Interactive Media Laboratory at Dartmouth Medical School produces computer games and multimedia programs for public health preparedness. With Department of Homeland Security funding, the IML is developing the Virtual Terrorism Response Academy, which uses game technology to prepare first responders for rescue efforts in which hazardous materials may be involved. This paper looks at the history of the “Virtual Clinic” concept and the original rationale for creating what Max Boisot calls “epistemology space.” It also offers an account of the VRTA designers' responses to potential criticism from learning specialists in game studies who object that the game is too didactic and discourages trial-and-error by restraining the learner in the narrative conceit of a “simulation of a simulation.”.
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Yiewi Li., Yu Guo, & Naoya Ito. (2014). An exploration of a social-cognitive framework for improving the human-centric risk communication. In and P.C. Shih. L. Plotnick M. S. P. S.R. Hiltz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2014 Conference Proceedings – 11th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 394–398). University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University.
Abstract: With the aim of improving human-centric risk communication, this research in progress paper argues for a social-cognitive perspective focusing on the interaction between laypeople and the information environment. A model is designed to predict laypeople's environmental risk perception and information seeking behavior. Using data from a national online survey (N=1,032), our research is an effort to test the predictive power of the socialcognitive model. Practical implications are also discussed in this paper.
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