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Ana María Cintora, Eva Teresa Robledo, Cristina Gomez, Raquel Lafuente, Ricardo García, & Cristina Horrillo. (2022). Analysis of the Chemical Incidents from Seveso Directive according to Direct Fatalities and Injuries. In Rob Grace, & Hossein Baharmand (Eds.), ISCRAM 2022 Conference Proceedings – 19th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 1058–1067). Tarbes, France.
Abstract: This paper provides a descriptive analysis of the eMARS database, which contains compulsory information on major chemical incidents under the SEVESO Directive. This analysis serves to assess the installations with the highest number of direct fatalities and injuries. At present, the data collected to assess the status of chemical accident risk globally are rather limited. There are some sources of data on chemical accidents in government and industry that might be used to estimate the frequency and severity of some types of events, but they are far from providing a complete perspective that covers all chemical accidents, thus limiting the possibilities of obtaining a more homogeneous picture of the risk of chemical accidents worldwide. Waste storage, treatment and disposal is one of the industrial areas with the highest number of fatalities and injuries, so we must emphasize the importance of this type of industry within the risk maps.
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Tina Comes, Michael Hiete, Niek Wijngaards, & Masja Kempen. (2009). Integrating scenario-based reasoning into multi-criteria decision analysis. 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: Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) is a technique for decision support which aims at providing transparent and coherent support for complex decision situations taking into account subjective preferences of the decision makers. However, MCDA does not foresee an analysis of multiple plausible future developments of a given situation. In contrast, scenario-based reasoning (SBR) is frequently used to assess future developments on the longer term. The ability to discuss multiple plausible future developments provides a rationale for strategic plans and actions. Nevertheless, SBR lacks an in-depth performance evaluation of the considered actions. This paper explores the integration of both techniques that combines their respective strengths as well as their application in environmental crisis management. The proposed methodology is illustrated by an environmental incident example. Future work is to conduct validations on the basis of real-world scenarios by public Dutch and Danish chemical incident crisis management authorities.
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Aslak Wegner Eide, Ida Maria Haugstveit, Ragnhild Halvorsrud, & María Borén. (2013). Inter-organizational collaboration structures during emergency response: A case study. In J. Geldermann and T. Müller S. Fortier F. F. T. Comes (Ed.), ISCRAM 2013 Conference Proceedings – 10th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 94–104). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: This paper examines the problem of achieving efficient inter-organizational collaboration during emergency response. The authors interviewed 11 representatives from Norwegian emergency agencies and supporting organizations about a hypothetical scenario involving a large-scale chemical incident. The interviews resulted in the identification and categorization of more than 45 actors that would be involved in the response effort, clarification of the individual capabilities and knowledge those actors would possess, and descriptions of how they would interact and communicate with each other. The results illustrate the complexity and necessity of achieving inter-organizational collaboration by showing how capabilities and knowledge are distributed and communicated across different actors, and suggest that such communications are mainly verbal. Based on this, the paper discusses challenges and opportunities for improving inter-organizational collaboration in the future.
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Stephen C. Fortier. (2013). Developing an incident response process model for chemical facilities. In J. Geldermann and T. Müller S. Fortier F. F. T. Comes (Ed.), ISCRAM 2013 Conference Proceedings – 10th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 941–950). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: This research project investigated the incident response mechanism used by the chemical industry for handling extremely hazardous chemicals. The mechanism was described as the policies, procedures, practices, tools, and methods used to conduct incident response. The results from the study determined what technologies, specifically software and information systems, could be utilized to improve the chemical facility incident response mechanism. The chemical industry is responsible for process safety management at all of its facilities, especially those that have off-site consequences in the event of an unplanned release. The processes and procedures of local, regional and national emergency responders have been studied thoroughly. An area of research that is lacking is the study of incident response policies and procedures within the boundaries of a chemical site. Results of the analysis determined that the chemical industry, in general, does not take advantage of available information technology when responding to unplanned releases.
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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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Jan Steen Jensen, & Jan Pehrsson. (2009). Central response to large chemical accidents. 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: Present scenarios, issues, requirements, experience and solutions from a central government organisation supporting local emergency management organisations. The presentation will cover the experience collected in the DIADEM project by the Danish Emergency Management Organisation with the focus of using ARGOS for response to chemical incidents.
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Diego Klappenbach, Silvia Hollfelder, Andreas Meissner, & Stefan Wilbert. (2004). From analog voice radio to ICT: Data communication and data modeling for the German NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2004 – 1st International Workshop on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 145–150). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: In Germany, the public safety system is largely organized by the German Federal States, which operate, among other equipment, a fleet of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicles (NBC RVs) to take measurements in contaminated areas. Currently, the NBC RVs, which have been centrally designed and procured by the German Center for Civil Defense, verbally report measured values to a Central Control Unit (CCU) over the assigned Public Safety Organization (PSO) analog voice radio channel. This procedure has several disadvantages. The channel is not secure, puts a natural limit on the achievable throughput and thus on the number of NBC RVs that can be operational simultaneously. Also, while data is being reported, other PSO members are blocked from sending. Finally, a proprietary model is used to structure the NBC RV data, so the data can only be aggregated and evaluated at the CCU but not by any other PSO unit. To overcome these problems, we propose in this paper a heterogeneous and flexible communication platform that complies with reliability and coverage requirements for PSO. More specifically, our proposed system is designed to replace current ways of communicating between NBC RVs and the CCU. We also propose to standardize data structures for data exchange to enable PSO cooperation. A drastically higher number of measured values can then be transmitted to the CCU, and the data can be processed in a much more effective manner in the CCU as well as in cooperating PSO task forces. Ultimately, this will improve NBC RV missions and consequently shorten PSO response time when dealing with NBC disasters. © Proceedings ISCRAM 2004.
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Eli Rohn, & Gil Erez. (2012). Fighting agro-terrorism in cyberspace: A framework for intention detection using overt electronic data sources. In Z.Franco J. R. L. Rothkrantz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2012 Conference Proceedings – 9th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Vancouver, BC: Simon Fraser University.
Abstract: Agro Terrorism is “a hostile attack, towards an agricultural environment, including infrastructures and processes, in order to significantly damage national and international political interests”. This special session within the early warning track is aimed at reducing agro-terrorism related risks by either means of prevention (intelligence gathering using data mining and chatter mining, for example) or means to response to such an attack by early detection of exotic/foreign pathogenic agents, early prediction of disease dispersion patterns, implementation of biosecurity measures, and the development of future methodologies and techniques related to food defense and post-event response. This paper focuses on intention detection using overt data sources on the World Wide Web as they relate to agro-terrorism threats. The paper focuses on early detection that can lead to prevention of such acts, yet a variety of the techniques presented here are also useful for helping in post-event perpetrators detection. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Milica Stojmenovic, Cathy Dudek, Patrick Noonan, Bruce Tsuji, Devjani Sen, & Gitte Lindgaard. (2011). Identifying user requirements for a CBRNE management system: A comparison of data analysis methods. 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: The purpose of this paper was to identify an effective user-requirements data analysis method for informing the design of a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) management decision support system. Data were collected from a large simulation involving medical, police, hazmat/firefighters and subjected to three different kinds of analysis methods: Social Network Analysis, Content Analysis, and Observational Analysis. While all three methods yielded valuable information, the observational method was by far the best for the present purpose.
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Milica Stojmenovic, & Gitte Lindgaard. (2014). Probing PROBE: A field study of an advanced decision support prototype for managing chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) events. 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. 90–99). University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University.
Abstract: The purpose of this field study was investigate teamwork and communication among event management personnel, to assess the degree to which PROBE, the advanced prototype they were using to manage a CBRNE simulation, would adequately meet their needs. The study was a continuation of previous research conducted in the early phase of PROBE development. Two communication-related analyses were applied to identify instances of effective and of ineffective communication among the management team. These revealed that communication was mostly effective. However, the one serious communication breakdown that was observed could have had fatal consequences. It showed that great care must be taken to ensure the safety of first responders at all times when evaluating prototypes in the field. A list of questions was generated from the lessons learned to assist future researchers prepare for CBRNE field studies.
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Thomas J. Terry Jr. (2006). Electronic disease reporting & management. In M. T. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2006 – 3rd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 569–578). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) developed an Electronic Disease Reporting & Management System (EDRMS) that has the capability for the rapid collection, analysis, and dissemination of suspected outbreaks including Chemical and Bio-Terrorism events. Prior to EDRMS, agencies relied on dis-jointed phone and fax reporting and rudimentary methods for data collection, dissemination, follow-up, and remuneration. The objective of this system is to allow collaborative recognition across all the hospitals and public health offices in the state of New Jersey to detect as soon as possible an epidemic occurring of a known or unknown type.
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Tina Mioch, Reinier Sterkenburg, Tatjana Beuker, & Mark A. Neerincx. (2021). Actionable Situation Awareness: Supporting Team Decisions in Hazardous Situations. 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. 62–70). Blacksburg, VA (USA): Virginia Tech.
Abstract: Situation Awareness (SA) has been recognized and studied as an important requirement for an effective task performance of first responders. The integration of increasingly advanced sensor, network and artificial intelligence technology into the work processes affects the building, maintenance and sharing of SA. Connecting SA to decision support models provides new possibilities for the development of actionable SA (aSA), entailing information that guides the momentary decision-making processes of the concerning actors. In the European ASSISTANCE project, we are developing an aSA module that displays information about gas distributions, its current and predicted future states (e.g., entailing risks of breathing-in of toxic gases), with references to effective decision-making patterns for this situation. The aSA model is continuously updated based on sensor data. This paper gives an overview of this aSA module for chemical hazard prediction and corresponding display, and presents initial team design patterns that will be integrated into this display to support its actionability.
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