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Adam Widera, Sandra Lechtenberg, Gaby Gurczik, Sandra Bähr, & Bernd Hellingrath. (2017). Integrated Logistics and Transport Planning in Disaster Relief Operations. 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. 752–764). Albi, France: Iscram.
Abstract: Decision making in the area of humanitarian logistics and supply chain management often suffers because of the interrelations between planning horizons, tasks, and crisis management lifecycle phases. In this paper, we present a method, an exemplary prototypical implementation and its evaluation within a relief organization. Based on a structured literature analysis (a review of existing information systems as well as a consideration of ongoing research projects), basic requirements for an integrated logistics and transport planning approach were derived. Together with end-user involvement, these results were used to design and prototype a concept of an appropriate information system, which was applied and evaluated in a tabletop exercise. The generated results are promising in terms of having a positive impact on the logistics effectiveness. In combination with the identified limitations, our results promise to have an impact on future ISCRAM research.
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Christine Adler, Marion Krüsmann, Thomas Greiner-Mai, Anton Donner, Javier Mulero Chaves, & Àngels Via Estrem. (2011). IT-supported management of mass casualty incidents: The e-triage project. 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: Voice, analogue mobile radio, and paper have een successfully used for decades for coordination of emergencies and disasters, but although being simple and robust this approach cannot keep pace with todays requirements any more. Emerging and established digital communication standards open the door to new applications and services, but the expected benefit needs to be carefully evaluated against robustness, interoperability, and user-friendliness. This paper describes a framework for IT-supported management of mass casualty incidents, which is currently under implementation and study. The four pillars of the concept are handheld devices for use both in daily rescue operations and in disasters, autonomous satellite-based communication infrastructure, a distributed database concept for maximal availability, and psychological acceptance research.
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Ignacio Aedo, Daniel Sanz, Paloma Díaz, & Jorge De Castro. (2006). Modelling emergency response communities using RBAC principles. In M. T. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2006 – 3rd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 426–434). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: One of the main design challenges of any Emergency Management System (EMS) is the diversity of users and responsibilities that must be considered. Modelling the access capabilities of different communities of users is a relevant concern for which the RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) paradigm provides flexible and powerful constructs. In this paper we describe how we used an RBAC meta-model to specify at different levels of abstraction the access policy of a specific EMS called ARCE (Aplicación en Red para Casos de Emergencia). This approach has made it possible to face access modelling at earlier development stages, so that stakeholders got involved in analytical and empirical evaluations to test the correctness and effectiveness of the access policy. Moreover, since the RBAC meta-model is embedded into a web engineering method, we put into practice a holistic process which addresses different design perspectives (structure, navigation, presentation, interaction and access) in an integrated way.
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Ahmed Abdeltawab Abdelgawad, & Tina Comes. (2019). Evaluation Framework for the iTRACK Integrated System. In Z. Franco, J. J. González, & J. H. Canós (Eds.), Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response And Management. Valencia, Spain: Iscram.
Abstract: Evaluation and testing are major steps in the development of any information system, particularly if it is to be used in high-risk contexts such as conflicts. While thus far there are various approaches for testing against technology requirements; usability or usefulness, there is a lack of a comprehensive evaluation framework that combines the three elements. The lack of such a framework and commonly agreed standards constitutes a barrier for innovation, and at the same time imposes risks to responders if the technology is introduced without proper testing. This paper aims to close this gap. Based on a reviewing of evaluation methods and measurement metrics, we design a comprehensive evaluation framework including common code quality testing metrics, usability testing methods, subjective usefulness questionnaires, and performance indicators. We demonstrate our approach by using the example of an integrated system for the safety and security of humanitarian missions, and we highlight how our approach allows measuring the system?s quality and usefulness.
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Ahmed Al-Sadi, Thelma Moses, & Saed Altawabeyeh. (2023). iAWHINA: Towards Designing an Offline Disaster Mobile Application. In V. L. Thomas J. Huggins (Ed.), Proceedings of the ISCRAM Asia Pacific Conference 2022 (pp. 103–110). Palmerston North, New Zealand: Massey Unversity.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to present the design stages of a built-for-purpose disaster response mobile application called iAwhina. The authors propose to design iAwhina as an interactive user-friendly offline mobile application that provides flawless user experience to support and aid in emergency response situations. The prototype works in both online and offline modes, using ad hoc network technology. The design process followed during the development of the user interface is based on a set of usability criteria that are presented in this paper. A systematic literature review on the usability criteria for disaster mobile applications and discussions with industry experts helped to finalize the user interface elements that will enhance the usability of the application. The relevant features that will be included in the application were drawn from literature. A discussion on how the design process plays a critical role in designing disaster mobile applications is also presented.
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Amro Al-Akkad, & Zimmermann, A. (2011). User study: Involving civilians by smart phones during emergency situations. 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: This paper concerns a preliminary user study to determine the acceptance of a mobile application that is supposed to involve civilians during emergencies. In particular, the focus is on bystanders. Their intervention during emergencies constitutes a delicate issue, since they were traditionally considered as a rather annoying party being merely observers of incidents. However, with the ubiquity and ever-increasing capabilities of cell phones there might emerge a great potential to flip the coin and to benefit from bystanders playing from now on a contributive role. To examine this hypothesis, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 persons. The result of our study shows that people are willing to use such mobile assisting system, and thus we take it as a positive starting signal to continue our research into this direction considering the elicited user constraints.
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Amro Al-Akkad, & Zimmermann, A. (2012). Survey: ICT-supported public participation in disasters. 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: In an increasingly networked society citizens at disaster sites utilize information and communication technology (ICT) to communicate needs or to share information. In order to understand better emergent possibilities and implications of applying ICT for supporting public participation in disasters, we surveyed 57 respondents regarding several key user aspects as perceived usefulness, socially related issues, or deployment. Surprisingly, our results show a clear tendency to use a disaster specific application instead of using everyday services as facebook or Twitter. However, such application poses the risk to loose its focus fading slowly away after once downloading it. Further study is needed to understand if these results are representative regarding public society. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Andrea Kavanaugh, Steven D. Sheetz, Riham Hassan, Seungwon Yang, Hicham G. Elmongui, Edward A. Fox, et al. (2012). Between a rock and a cell phone: Communication and information technology use during the 2011 Egyptian uprising. 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: Many observers heralded the use of social media during recent political uprisings in the Middle East even dubbing Iran's post election protests a “Twitter Revolution”. We seek to put into perspective the use of social media in Egypt during the mass political demonstrations in 2011. We draw on innovation diffusion theory to argue that these media could have had an impact beyond their low adoption rates due to other factors related to demographics and social networks. We supplement our social media data analysis with survey data we collected in June 2011 from an opportunity sample of Egyptian youth. We conclude that in addition to the contextual factors noted above, the individuals within Egypt who used Twitter during the uprising have the characteristics of opinion leaders. These findings contribute to knowledge regarding the role of opinion leaders and social media, especially Twitter, during violent political demonstrations. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Narjès Bellamine-Ben Saoud, Julie Dugdale, Bernard Pavard, Mohamed Ben Ahmed, Tarek Ben Mna, & Néjia Ben Touati. (2004). Towards planning for emergency activities in large-scale accidents: An interactive and generic agent-based simulator. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2004 – 1st International Workshop on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 173–177). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: In this paper we describe the design and development of an interactive and generic agent based simulator, providing valuable support for organizing the emergency rescue plans of a large-scale accident. Analysis of real rescue activities has been conducted in collaboration with medical experts in order to understand the collaborative process and the involved actors and features. Based on the emergency analysis, an agent-based model and simulator was constructed including (1) the autonomous Agents – representing victims with evolving illness and rescuers (doctors, nurses, fireman) collaborating to rescue the first ones; (2) the Environment -representing the accident site having obstacles and dangerous areas and where the victims are initially spread and the doctors move to explore -perceive – treat and helpers evacuate; (3) the Interactions between rescuers – exploring collectively, evacuating by pairs, communicating directly or via artefacts- (4) the Organization of actors as distributed “independent” sub-teams in various site sub-zones or as a centralized whole team conducted by the rescue chief; and (5) the User interfaces allowing mainly initial configuration of the simulations (e.g. number of victims and states, followed strategies, rescuers behaviours), continuous visual control of the process of rescuing (e.g. site overview with acting-interacting agents, graphics, text descriptions), dynamic changes of parameters of an on-going simulation (e.g. adding new victims, adding new rescuers, or adding dangerous zones or new obstacles on sites) as well as step-by-step simulation. This simulation shows that it is possible to create a virtual environment with cooperating agents interacting in a dynamic environment. On-line and off-line analysis of simulation traces and results enable us first understanding complex situations in rescuing activities in large-scale accidents, and than planning for responding to crisis situation. This simulation approach is useful for identifying the best scenarios and eliminating potential catastrophic combinations of parameters and values, where rescue performance could be significantly impacted. © Proceedings ISCRAM 2004.
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Andrea Bellucci, Alessio Malizia, Paloma Díaz, & Ignacio Aedo. (2010). Framing the design space for novel crisis-related mashups: The eStoryS example. 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: Web 2.0 can be viewed as a platform where users can develop their own web applications. It is also characterized by a vast amount of user-generated contents presenting spatial and temporal components, by means of associated metadata. These metadata has been successfully exploited to generate map-based mashups (web applications gathering data from different sources) facing different kind of crisis situations, ranging from natural disasters (earthquakes, wildfires, floods...) to human-made disasters (terrorist attacks, school shootings, conflicts...). The social and collaborative dimensions of the Web 2.0 can be also exploited for managing crisis-related information. We present here a survey of current crisis-related mashups we employed to extract design dimensions and provide a conceptual framework that can be used: A) to understand current systems and; b) to design next generation of crisis-related mashups. We propose the eStoryS system as an example of application developed following the design principles presented in this paper. On the basis of our analysis, we believe that the design dimensions posited here provide useful insights for the design of novel web mashups in the emergency management domain.
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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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Nitesh Bharosa, Sebastiaan Meijer, Marijn Janssen, & Fritjof Brave. (2010). Are we prepared? Experiences from developing dashboards for disaster preparation. 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: Relief agency managers show growing interest in dashboards for assessing multi-agency disaster preparedness. Yet, there is a dearth of research on the development and use of dashboards for disaster preparation. Consequently, information system architects in the disaster management domain have little guidance in developing dashboards. Here, dashboards refer to digitalized visualizations of performance indicators. In this paper, we discuss the experiences gained from an action research project on the development of dashboards for assessing disaster preparedness. The objective of this paper is to discuss experiences and tradeoffs extracted from the development of dashboards in practice. We organized a two-day gaming-simulation with relief agency managers for the evaluation of the dashboards. While the relief agency managers acknowledged the usefulness of dashboards in the disaster preparation process and expressed their intention to use these in practice, they suggested that the formulation and clustering of performance indicators requires further research.
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Bjørn Erik Munkvold. (2016). Diffusing Crisis Management Solutions through Living Labs: Opportunities and Challenges. 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: Despite increasing focus on user involvement among the developers of crisis management technologies, the diffusion of these solutions in target user communities is slow. This paper discusses to what extent the Living Lab approach, based on open innovation and co-creation between users and developers, could facilitate the diffusion of crisis management solutions. Our analysis shows correspondence between the core principles of the Living Labs approach and the user interaction focus in development research in ISCRAM. However, the task urgency and criticality of crisis situations limits the possibility for testing and experimenting with technology in real use situations. Instead, the main distinguishing principle of the Living Lab approach is the nature and scope of stakeholder involvement. By creating an arena where community stakeholders participate equally with developers and researchers in sharing ideas and testing new technological solutions, chances for successful diffusion of these solutions in real use practice could be strengthened.
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Borglund, E., A.M., & Granholm, M. (2023). Challenges in work procedures in distributed crisis management. In Jaziar Radianti, Ioannis Dokas, Nicolas Lalone, & Deepak Khazanchi (Eds.), Proceedings of the 20th International ISCRAM Conference (pp. 732–737). Omaha, USA: University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Abstract: This is a work in progress paper on work and IT usage in distributed crisis management. The data presented in this paper has been collected at a one-day tabletop exercise with four Swedish municipalities. Four members of the four municipalities’ crisis organizations were invited to the exercise, which was designed as one scenario divided into two cases. At the start of each case of the exercise, each municipality was split into two separate rooms, to simulate a distributed crisis management. During the first case they could communicate using phone, TETRA radio, and the Internet. During case two in the scenario, there was no Internet connection. The study indicates that all the municipalities managed to organize and solve the given tasks using primarily voice communication, in case one using phone or, e.g., Teams, and in case two using TETRA radio. Information sharing using IT was non-existing.
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Axel Bürkle, Florian Segor, Sven Müller, Igor Tchouchenkov, & Matthias Kollmann. (2012). Advantages of an integrated open framework for immediate emergency response. 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: Recent disasters have shown that wireless sensors and unmanned systems are increasingly becoming a valuable aid for first responders. Depending on the kind of incident and its extent, different assets are to be used. The more diverse these assets are, the more complex their simultaneous use and coordination. Therefore, integrated solutions are needed which comprise all necessary components such as power supply, communication infrastructure, data acquisition and processing, decision support and information dissemination. In this paper, an architecture for an open framework is proposed and its advantages over dedicated solutions are discussed. The flexibility of the universal control station presented here is demonstrated using the example of integrating a smartphone as an additional mobile sensor. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Tiziana Catarci, Massimiliano De Leoni, Andrea Marrella, Massimo Mecella, Manfred Bortenschlager, & Renate Steinmann. (2010). The WORKPAD project experience: Improving the disaster response through process management and geo collaboration. 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 complex emergency/disaster scenarios teams from various emergency-response organizations collaborate with each other to achieve a common goal. In these scenarios the use of smart mobile devices and applications can improve the collaboration dynamically. The lack of basic interaction principles can be dangerous as it could increase the level of disaster or can make the efforts ineffective. The paper focuses on the description of the main results of the project WORKPAD finished in December 2009. WORKPAD worked on a two-level architecture to support rescue operators during emergency management. The use of a user-centered design methodology during the entire development cycle has guaranteed that the architecture and the resulting system meet the end-user requirements. The feasibility of its use in real emergencies is also proven by a demonstration showcased in July with real operators. The paper includes the qualitative and quantitative showcase results and mentions some guidelines which can be useful for persons who want to develop emergency-management systems.
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Cecilia Hammar Wijkmark, & Ilona Heldal. (2020). Virtual and Live Simulation-Based Training for Incident Commanders. In Amanda Hughes, Fiona McNeill, & Christopher W. Zobel (Eds.), ISCRAM 2020 Conference Proceedings – 17th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 1154–1162). Blacksburg, VA (USA): Virginia Tech.
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.
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Cecilia Hammar Wijkmark, Ilona Heldal, & Maria-Monika Metallinou. (2021). Experiencing Immersive VR Simulation for Firefighter Skills Training. 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. 913–921). Blacksburg, VA (USA): Virginia Tech.
Abstract: Virtual Reality (VR) technology has gained interest for training in many domains, including firefighter education and training. However, there is hesitation in accepting immersive VR technology, especially for skills training. This paper examines the results from a field study investigating how first-time users experience immersive VR comparing with hot fire live simulation (HF-LS) training, a training involving several human senses. This study included nineteen firefighter students, eight instructors, and seven experienced firefighters using a VR technology simulating fire, smoke, heat, and via haptic feedback hose and pressure experiences. Data investigating user experiences were collected through questionnaires and observations. The results show that experienced firefighters valued the training using this VR technology higher than students. Further findings illustrate a difference between different user groups regarding expectations on the realism of simulated representations. For example, the visual realism of the smoke and the fire was more appreciated by experienced firefighters than students and instructors.
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Javier Mulero Chaves, & Cristina Parraga Niebla. (2013). Design of an enhanced interface for composition of alert messages: Methodology and results. 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. 507–511). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: Alerting the population during crisis using available communication systems can significantly reduce the impact of emergency situations. However, the understanding of the alert and trust by recipients is influenced by the alert message content and style. It is therefore desirable that alert messages are formulated with sufficient information and in a style that eases understanding of the message and fosters trust, so that the recommended protective actions are actually undertaken. Within the EU Alert4All project, an alert message dispatcher is being currently implemented, which disseminates alert messages through multiple communication systems in a harmonized manner, fostering best practices in the formulation of alert messages in a user-friendly manner. The design of the dispatcher features and graphical user interface was supported by a field practitioner workshop with participants from different European countries. This paper describes the workshop methodology, its results and the impact on the message dispatcher design.
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Suthep Chutiratanaphun, Rungsaridh Boonsin, Parida Kuneepong, & Julalux Suttirod. (2005). Land use / land cover change by tsunami 2004 in Thailand: A case study at phi phi Island, Krabi Province and Ban Num Kem Village, Pang Nga Province. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 301–303). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Aerial photo interpretation were utilized for monitoring land cover changes with emphasis on tsunami ravaged coastal regions in Phi Phi Island, Krabi Province and Ban Num Kem, Bang Muang, Pang Nga Province areas in the southern peninsula Thailand. All of the images acquired after the Dec 26/2004 tsunami hit, were analyzed and results were compared to image taken before to address the tsunami-affected communities' details. Results of interpretation show different land cover changes in different areas due to the former land cover/land use. It was also showed that aerial photo interpretation data are capable of identification on devastated areas with a high level of accuracy at scale of 1:25, 000. Special attention is given to a few examples of Ban Num Kem village in Takuepa District, Pang Nga Province and Phi Phi Island, Krabi Province.
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Linn Marks Collins, James E. Powell Jr., Carolyn E Dunford, Ketan K. Mane, & Mark L.B. Martinez. (2008). Emergency information Synthesis and awareness using E-SOS. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 618–623). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: In an emergency, people need to be able to report and find relevant information quickly. Fulfilling these information needs is the design goal of E-SOS: Emergency Situation Overview and Synthesis, a research project in progress. E-SOS will consist of (1) a website where users can report information, (2) web services that find and synthesize related information from multiple sources, and (3) interface tools that visualize and display links to this information. In this paper we describe three of these services and tools: the topic, geographic, and information space awareness tools. When a user writes a report, the topic awareness tool will execute a federated search and display links to related information. The information space awareness tool will highlight these links in a visualization of the information space. If the user refers to a location, the geographic awareness tool will focus a map on this location and display topic-related icons.
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Massimiliano De Leoni, Fabio De Rosa, Andrea Marrella, Massimo Mecella, Antonella Poggi, Alenka Krek, et al. (2007). Emergency management: From user requirements to a flexible P2P architecture. 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. 271–279). Delft: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: The most effective way to design an emergency management system matching user needs is to perform a User-Centered Design; it relies on continuous interactions with end-users in order to understand better and better how organizations are arranged during emergencies, which data are exchanged and which steps are performed by organizations to face disastrous events. In this paper we (i) illustrate the methodology used to collect the user requirements for the emergency management system developed in the European research project WORKPAD, and (ii) describe the WORKPAD high level architecture stemming from such requirements. Specifically, the methodology is applied in the context of Regional Civil Protection of Calabria (Italy) and is used as basis to provide more general user requirements for emergency management systems.
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Philip Degener, Henning Gösling, & Jutta Geldermann. (2013). Decision support for the location planning in disaster areas using multi-criteria methods. 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. 278–283). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: In this paper, a multi-criteria facility location model is represented. The model is meant to support relief organisations to determine the best warehouse location to stock emergency relief supplies in the pre-disaster phase of a natural disaster. As a result of the prepositioning of the goods the relief organisations are able to respond immediately to an occurring disaster. In consideration of a multiplicity of quantitative and qualitative objectives a criteria hierarchy is developed which can be adapted to any specific disaster area by omitting irrelevant goals. Afterwards the multi-criteria methods PROMETHEE I+II as well as different sensitivity analysis are described and the model is applied on a local level in a flood-prone area in Bangladesh. Small organisations with restrictive financial and personnel resources can especially benefit from the clear structure of the model and the user friendliness and high transparency of the PROMETHE I+II methods.
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Diana De Alwis, & Ilan Noy. (2018). Sri Lankan Households a Decade after the Indian Ocean Tsunami. In Kristin Stock, & Deborah Bunker (Eds.), Proceedings of ISCRAM Asia Pacific 2018: Innovating for Resilience – 1st International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management Asia Pacific. (pp. 339–350). Albany, Auckland, New Zealand: Massey Univeristy.
Abstract: We estimate the causal effect of the Indian Ocean tsunami in Sri Lanka on household income and consumption eight years after the event, using a quasi-experimental method. A strong association between area-wide tsunami disaster shock and increases in household income and consumption in the long-term emerged from our empirical investigation. Deviating from the common observation on short-term impacts, these results are suggestive of an optimistic potential for some long-lasting potentially successful recovery scenarios. Still, Sri Lanka received a very large amount of external transfers post-tsunami, much larger than is typical for disaster events and one which may not be replicable in other cases. Our findings suggest a more nuanced picture with respect to household consumption impacts. We observe a reduction of food consumption and only find an increase in non-food consumption. The increase in non-food consumption is much smaller than the observed increase in income. We also find that households in high-income regions experienced much better recovery from the disaster. Keywords Sri Lanka, Tsunami, disaster, household survey, long-run impact
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Elina Ramsell, Tobias Andersson Granberg, & Sofie Pilemalm. (2019). Identifying functions for smartphone based applications in volunteer emergency response. In Z. Franco, J. J. González, & J. H. Canós (Eds.), Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response And Management. Valencia, Spain: Iscram.
Abstract: Emergency response organisations struggle with resource constraints and thereby faces challenges in providing
high-quality public services. Utilising voluntary first responders is one way to address these challenges. There
are different types of volunteers who can help at an emergency site, e.g. citizen volunteers or voluntary
professionals from other occupations. To successfully engage with and utilise these resources, adequate
information and communication technology (ICT) is necessary. In this meta-study, combining and further
exploring two previous studies, the aim is to identify, analyse and evaluate suitable functions for smartphone
applications that can be used to dispatch and support volunteers. The results show that the functions can be
divided into essential ones that are necessary for the response to work at all, and others that might contribute to a
more effective response. The study also shows that the same functions can be used for different volunteer
groups.
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