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Ana Gabriela Núñez Avila, & Mª Carmen Penadés Gramage. (2019). Towards an organization certified in emergency plans management. 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: QuEP is a framework that guides organizations in assessing and improving their emergency plan management by
following a set of principles, practices, and techniques at the different maturity levels established in the QuEP model.
Its main objective is to be applied to real cases to discover the state of an organization?s emergency plan management
and recommend techniques for improvement. In this paper, we describe the first application of QuEP as a prior step
to its implementation and possible use in official certifications for emergency plans with a guarantee of quality. So,
we have applied a real case in a UPV building towards the certification of the emergency plan management.
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Ana-Gabriela Núñez, Mª Carmen Penadés, José H. Canós-Cerdá, & Marcos R. S. Borges. (2015). Towards a Total Quality Framework for the Evaluation and Improvement of Emergency Plans Management. 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: The evaluation of the quality of emergency plans is an unresolved issue. While most research efforts have focused on the definition and improvement of planning methods and the associated tools, a reference framework allowing the assessment of emergency plans is still missing. In this paper, we report our initial work towards the definition of a quality framework for emergency plan management. To create it, we are borrowing results from more than one century of research on quality methods, with special emphasis in the newest Total Quality Management approaches that pay attention to technical, human and strategic concerns during the plan development process. The QuEP framework defines a number of planning principles and practices to define a maturity-driven layered model for the evaluation of organizations. We list the principles and practices, and describe its potential to be integrated with other emergency plan management frameworks.
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Thomas Bernard, Mathias Braun, Olivier Piller, Denis Gilbert, Jochen Deuerlein, Andreas Korth, et al. (2013). SMaRT-OnlineWDN: Online security management and reliability toolkit for water distribution networks. 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. 171–176). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: Water distribution Networks (WDNs) are critical infrastructures that are exposed to deliberate or accidental contamination. Until now, no monitoring system is capable of protecting a WDN in real time. In the immediate future water service utilities that are installing water quantity and quality sensors in their networks will be producing a continuous and huge data stream for treating. The main objective of the project SMaRT-OnlineWDN is the development of an online security management toolkit for water distribution networks that is based on sensor measurements of water quality as well as water quantity and online simulation. Its field of application ranges from detection of deliberate contamination, including source identification and decision support for effective countermeasures, to improved operation and control of a WDN under normal and abnormal conditions.
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Nitesh Bharosa, & Marijn Janssen. (2009). Reconsidering information management roles and capabilities in disaster response decision-making units. 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: When disaster strikes, the emerging task environment requires relief agencies to transform from autonomous mono-disciplinary organizations into interdependent multidisciplinary decision-making units. Evaluation studies reveal that adaptation of information management to the changing task environment is difficult resulting in poor information quality, indicating information was incorrect, outdated or even unavailable to relief workers. In this paper, we adopt a theory-driven approach to develop a set of information management roles and dynamic capabilities for disaster management. Building on the principles of advance structuring and dynamic adjustment, we develop a set of roles and capabilities, which we illustrate and extend using two field studies in the Netherlands. By studying regional relief workers in action, we found that in tactical disaster response decisionmaking units, several information management roles are not addressed and that information managers are preoccupied with information gathering and reporting, whereas information quality assurance is not on the agenda.
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Nitesh Bharosa, Bart Van Zanten, Jaco Appelman, & Arre Zuurmond. (2009). Identifying and confirming information and system quality requirements for multi-agency disaster management. 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: This paper investigates the relevance and assurance of information and system quality as requirements for information systems success during disaster management. Despite the many examples of poor information quality and poor system quality, research on the relevance and assurance of these requirements is sparse. In order to design successful information systems for disaster management, a context related understanding of the organizational and technical measures for achieving these requirements is necessary. Accordingly, the goal of this paper is to identify and confirm information and system quality requirements for the design of information systems for disaster management. The results of our interviews with information architects indicate that while information quality requirements are considered to be very relevant, these are hard to measure and assure, and that currently much effort is being put into improving system quality requirements such as interoperability and ease of use.
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Nitesh Bharosa, Marijn Janssen, Raghav H. Rao, & JinKyu Lee. (2008). Adaptive information orchestration: Architectural principles improving information quality. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 556–565). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Effective responsiveness to disasters requires the management of information in a network of autonomous response agencies. Yet, the information quality is often insufficient. Information is scattered throughout the network and needs to be collected from heterogeneous information sources. As such, adaptive information orchestration is the key to effective response. The aim of this paper is to develop a prescriptive, conceptual architecture guided by architectural principles for orchestration aimed at improving information quality. Information orchestration refers to an information architecture in which multiple orchestrators match information supply according to the information demand in order to assure a high information quality for relief workers. A primarily element is that information needs to be 'enriched' before it is provided to relief workers and necessary resources (human, information and technology) should be available to accomplish this. This should ensure that the right information will be delivered to the right persons at the right moment. Future research is aimed at detailing the concept of information orchestration.
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Binxu Zhai, & Jianguo Chen. (2017). Research on the forecasting of Air Quality Index (AQI) based on FS-GA-BPNN: A case study of Beijing, China. 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. 307–321). Albi, France: Iscram.
Abstract: The analysis and forecasting of eminent air quality play a significant role in municipal regulatory planning and emergency preparedness. In this paper, a FS-GA-BPNN model forecasting the daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) is proposed. Special procedures for feature extraction to find more potential significant variables and feature selection to remove redundant information and avoid overfitting are conducted before modelling. Three different models – BPNN, GA-BPNN and FS-GA-BPNN are established to compare the prediction accuracy, generalization ability and reliability. 17 parameters involving pollutant concentration, meteorological elements and surrounding factors are found essential for the method effectiveness. The result shows that the FS-GA-BPNN model generally performs superior to ordinary BPNN, suggesting the necessity of extensive data mining and feature extraction for successful machine learning. The results of this paper can help to conduct air quality pre-warning system and improve the emergency planning process of extreme weather events.
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Carolin Klonner, Melanie Eckle, Tomás Usón, & Bernhard Höfle. (2017). Quality Improvement of Remotely Volunteered Geographic Information via Country-Specific Mapping Instructions. 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. 939–947). Albi, France: Iscram.
Abstract: Volunteered geographic information can be seen as valuable data for various applications such as within disaster management. OpenStreetMap data, for example, are mainly contributed by remote mappers based on satellite imagery and have increasingly been implemented in response actions to various disasters. Yet, the quality often depends on the local and country-specific knowledge of the mappers, which is required for performing the mapping task. Hence, the question is raised whether there is a possibility to train remote mappers with country-specific mapping instructions in order to improve the quality of OpenStreetMap data. An experiment is conducted with Geography students to evaluate the effect of additional material that is provided in wiki format. Furthermore, a questionnaire is applied to collect participants' socio-demographic information, mapping experience and feedback about the material. This pre-study gives hints for future designs of country-specific mapping instructions as well as the experiment design itself.
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David Wodak, & Kenny Meesters. (2021). How To Improve HO/TO's: An Exploratory Study on The Alignment Between Information, Technology And Crisis teams. 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. 459–470). Blacksburg, VA (USA): Virginia Tech.
Abstract: In the last decade, the number of crises has increased, and have become more complex. Crisis response does not only focus on rescue operations, or separate stages but rather it is an integrated and continuous process. During this continuous process, several handovers take place. A handover is an important, critical but challenging moment during a crisis, due to the organizational factors that influence the handover and the technology used to transfer information. Since these are crucial elements of a Crisis handover, it would indicate that the alignment between these factors could lead to the improvement of Crisis handovers. However, certain barriers resulted in a lack of alignment. An important barrier originates from the organizational processes. These have a lack of focus on which crisis managers are involved in the handover and thus create a lack of alignment between the systems and information used by various crisis teams.
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Therese Friberg, Stephan Prödel, & Rainer Koch. (2011). Information quality criteria and their importance for experts in crisis 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: In the past a lot of researchers have defined criteria to determine information quality. Various criteria and dimensions have been identified and examined in different contexts. But very few of them focused on information quality in the context of complex situations, especially in the domain of crisis management. These complex situations demand for an extensive level of information as a basis to the difficult decisions an officer-in-charge has to make. Therefore, if we want to support the decision-making of the leading officers through an at least semi-automated process, we need first of all to find a set of criteria to assess the information quality considering the special requirements of such complex situations. In this paper we describe our approach of defining a criteria set by identifying the characteristics of complex situations, then we analyze existing models of information quality and map their aggregated criteria to the identified characteristics and finally first results of interviews to evaluate the set through the involvement of domain experts are presented.
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Gabriela C Barrera, & Maria C Yang. (2019). Evaluation of Digital Volunteers using a Design Approach: Motivations and Contributions in Disaster 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: With the growth of social media and crowdsourcing in disaster response, further research is needed on the motivations
and contributions of digital volunteers. This study applies a user-centered design approach to understanding how we
might make better tools to support digital volunteers. This user-centered design approach involves stated preference
elicitation methods through an online survey to understand what digital volunteers want in such tools. Through
choice-based conjoint analysis, we contribute to mixed-methods research to gain additional insight into motivations
and user preferences for a set of design features that might be incorporated into an online tool specifically for digital
volunteers. Initial results show preferences for measures of success that were not monetary, which aligned with
directly stated motivations for volunteering. Our findings corroborate with previous research in that feedback to
volunteers is very important, as well as being able to measure the impact of their work.
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Rajesh M. Hegde, B.S. Manoj, Bashkar D. Rao, & Ramesh R. Rao. (2006). Emotion detection from speech signals and its applications in supporting enhanced QoS in emergency response. In M. T. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2006 – 3rd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 82–91). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Networking in the event of disasters requires new hybrid wireless architectures such as Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs). Provisioning Quality of Service (QoS) in such networks which are quickly deployed during emergencies demand radical solutions. In this paper, we provide a new QoS approach for voice calls over a wireless mesh networks during emergency situations. According to our scheme, the contention and back-off parameters are modified based on the emotion content in the voice streams. This paper also looks at methods for detecting emotion from an incoming voice call using the speech signal. The issues of interest in such situations are whether the caller is in a state of extreme panic, moderate panic, or in a normal state of behavior. The communication network behavior should be modified to provide differentiated QoS for calls based on the degree of emotion. We use several features extracted from the speech signal like the range of pitch variation, energy in the critical bark band, range of the first three formant variations, and speaking rate among others to discriminate between the three emotional states. At the back end the Gaussian mixture modeling techniques is used to model the three emotional states of the speaker. Since a large number of features increase the computational complexity and time, a feature selection technique is employed based on the Bhattacharya distance, to select the set of features that give maximum discrimination between the classes. These set of features are employed to simulate an emotion recognition system. The results indicate a promising emotion detection rate for the three emotions. We also present the early results on detecting the emotion content in the speech and using this in the MAC layer differentiated QoS provisioning scheme. Our scheme provides an end-to-end delay performance improvement for panicked calls as high as 60% compared to normal calls.
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Joanne Stevenson, Ellie Kay, Chris Bowie, Vivienne Ivory, & John Vargo. (2018). The Data Challenges of Monitoring Resilience. 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. 153–165). Albany, Auckland, New Zealand: Massey Univeristy.
Abstract: There is a growing global demand for planning and development interventions aimed at enhancing the resilience of human systems. Coinciding with this demand for resilience enhancement is the demand for rigorous monitoring and evaluation of resilience and of the efficacy of resilience interventions. The aim of these assessments is to help decision makers prioritise inputs in a way that will result in the greatest reduction of mortality, health effects, and economic losses. As a result, there is an almost insatiable hunger for data that can improve our understanding of the resilience of human systems in the face of disasters. This paper reflects on two ongoing projects that are part of the 'Resilience Trajectories' programme of the Resilience to Nature's Challenges National Science Challenge. The first project, the creation of a New Zealand Resilience Index, is used to illustrate the data-related challenges and limitations of quantitative resilience assessments. We argue that composite indicators are useful aids for having a robust discussion about resilience, but high-level indicators must be supplemented with local knowledge and contextual information to facilitate meaningful decision making. The second project, the Data Integration and Visualisation En Masse (DIVE) web-based data catalogue, presents a partial solution to some of the resilience data challenges we have observed in the creation of the national index.
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Uwe Krüger, Fabian Wucholt, & Clemens Beckstein. (2012). Electronic checklist support for disaster 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: Requirements analysis of IT-support for rescue management showed that electronic checklist support is a vital function of any IT-based assistance system. Although checklists are a simple approach, their successful implementation and use depends on many factors. We nevertheless believe that Intelligent Electronic Checklist Sup-port Systems (IECSS) are especially helpful for the (inter-) organizational cooperation in disaster scenarios like mass casualty incidents (MCIs). In this paper we describe why, when, and how electronic checklists can be used to coordinate the work of the geographically dispersed rescue forces. For this purpose we will have a look at safety-critical and complex tasks in aviation and medicine where checklists already are successfully used and try to profit from this experience for the MCI domain. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Lívia Castro Degrossi, João Porto de Albuquerque, Roberto dos Santos Rocha, & Alexander Zipf. (2017). A Framework of Quality Assessment Methods for Crowdsourced Geographic Information: a Systematic Literature Review. 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. 532–545). Albi, France: Iscram.
Abstract: Crowdsourced Geographic Information (CGI) has emerged as a potential source of geographic information in different application domains. Despite the advantages associated with it, this information lacks quality assurance, since it is provided by different people. Therefore, several authors have started investigating different methods to assess the quality of CGI. Some of the existing methods have been summarized in different classification scheme. However, there is not an overview of the methods employed to assess the quality of CGI in the absence of authoritative data. On the basis of a systematic literature review, we found 13 methods that can be employed to this end.
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Michael J. Marich, Thomas A. Horan, & Benjamin Schooley. (2008). Understanding IT governance within the San Mateo County Emergency Medical Service agency. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 451–461). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: This paper examines inter-organizational governance within the context of a County wide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system. Through a case study approach that included an action research methodology, this paper reports research findings on how one multi-organizational EMS system in California designed a process to establish an inter-organizational IT governance structure. The process resulted in EMS stakeholders defining architectural qualities that could be used to drive the EMS enterprise to a higher level of architecture maturity. That is, away from inherent business silos and towards greater levels of standardization and integration of information and technology across all stakeholder groups. The San Mateo County, CA Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system provided the case study context to better understand characteristics of a high performing emergency response system. The unique governance structure of this case allowed researchers to formulate a preliminary understanding of what IT governance is within this context and how it plays a role within private and not-for-profit sector large-scale, inter-organizational, emergency response systems. We applied the time critical information services (TCIS) framework to the specific setting of the San Mateo EMS strategic redesign initiative. The TCIS framework was used to drive roundtable discussions and in addition to obtaining a better understanding of the governance dimension, much was also learned about the operational and organizational dimensions of a high performing emergency response system. From these discussions, a set of 11 key findings were developed in order to guide the county's procurement strategy and future strategic direction. The impact of these findings is that they will be used to formulate public and private sector service contracts that will remain in effect for the next 10 years.
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Kayvan Yousefi Mojir, & Sofie Pilemalm. (2013). A framework for new actors in emergency response systems. 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. 741–746). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: Using actors from different societal sectors can improve the response operation quality in emergency management. The different roles, tasks and responsibilities these actors have in response operations and the legal frameworks they work within influence their needs for proper information system support. There is thus a substantial need to study and systemize the concept of “new actors” before providing them with technical solutions. In this study, a framework is constructed showing 14 dimensions of new actors that need to be considered when new actors are studied in more detail.
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Christine Owen, Jan Douglas, & Gregory Hickey. (2008). Information flow and teamwork in Incident Control Centers. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 742–751). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: This paper reports research in progress into a study of information flow and teamwork in Incident Management Teams (IMTs) in Australia. The research project, funded by the Bushfire Co-operative Research Centre. The overall research design includes interviews with experienced personnel, observations of real-time incidents and training simulations and a national questionnaire of incident management practices. Data reported in this conference session will focus on a sample of observation data conducted in two training simulations of a wildfire incident. Observations were video recorded and key IMT members wore lapel microphones. Video data has been coded for use of artifacts (e.g., maps, status boards) and room movement. Audio data has been coded for by the quantity and quality of interactions within and between IMT functions. The presentation aims to contribute to an understanding of what enables and constrains effective teamwork and information flow within Incident Control Centers (ICCs) in Australia.
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Penadés, M. ª.C., Núñez, A. G., Canós-Cerdá, J. H., & Coronel, J. (2023). DIMEPRO: a tool for diagnosis and improvement of the self-protection plans management. In Jaziar Radianti, Ioannis Dokas, Nicolas Lalone, & Deepak Khazanchi (Eds.), Proceedings of the 20th International ISCRAM Conference (p. 1071). Omaha, USA: University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Abstract: Ensuring people's protection is an increasingly demanded requirement, both at political and corporate levels. Within the Spanish legislative system, organizations are obliged by law to develop and maintain the so-called Self-Protection Plan (SPP). In this work, we introduce DIMEPRO, a tool that provides organizations with means to evaluate and improve the management of their SPPs (SPPM). DIMEPRO is based on the QuEP-framework, which evaluates the maturity an organization has reached regarding its SPPM. DIMEPRO aims to become the reference tool for organizations chosen to improve their self-protection; to the best of our knowledge, DIMEPRO represents a pioneer system in addressing this problem since no other tools have addressed the same problem. This tool allows the diagnosis of SPPM and provides a set of best practices that will allow a roadmap for its improvement. The results of the assessments are displayed in dashboards, as well as in reports of different natures.
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Sofie Pilemalm, & Niklas Hallberg. (2008). Exploring service-oriented C2 support for emergency response for local communities. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 159–166). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: The increased impact of natural disasters and terror attacks on our society has augmented the awareness of needs for advances in emergency response. For local communities it is vital to make use of existing resources. Service-oriented technology provides new possibilities for the enhancement of command and control (C2) systems. However, to gain full use of the technology, it must harmonize with the supported organizations and their work procedures. This paper explores the possibilities and usefulness of service oriented C2-systems for emergency response at the local community level. The study was performed in five steps: (1) literature study, (2) interviews, (3) scenario design, (4) prototyping service-oriented C2 systems, and (5) a scenario based evaluation. The results show that service-oriented C2 systems would support and enhance emergency response at the local community level. Still, several issues that need to be further considered remain, not the least the ability of quality assurance of services.
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Jozef Ristvej., Tomas Lovecek, & Katarína Kampova. (2012). ESEC portal as a tool for improvement of security focused studies. 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: This article describes progress within a project approved by The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) in period from 10/2009 until 10/2012. The EACEA is responsible for the management of certain parts of the EU's programmes in the fields of education, culture and audiovisual. The idea of the eSEC project originated from the social requirement to increase the quality of education in the field of Security. The fault of the current educational systems is common detachment of the taught theory form the real practical requirements. That is the reason why it is necessary to focus more on the way in which the participants of education process can be prepared for the challenges which emerges from the labor market, which competencies are required and how it would be possible to link the educational systems of various institutions most efficiently. Therefore, the aim of our project eSEC is to develop and increase the competencies of students, pedagogues and research personnel working in the field of security, but even the expert public within the EU and the world. To achieve these objectives, an electronic portal eSEC is in process of development. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Olivier Sarrat, & Véronique De Geoffroy. (2011). Sigmah free software for humanitarian project management. 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: Sigmah is free software for the integrated management of humanitarian projects. It provides international aid organization with the following software features:-Monitoring project progress and funding;-Creating, sharing, analysing and mapping indicators, for monitoring and assessment;-Centralising project documents;-Improving schedule management and early-warning alarms for events;-Implementing a quality assurance approach, by defining criteria and critical points linked to projects. The Sigmah project is led by a group of humanitarian organizations, which has, at the time of writing, 12 members: Action Against Hunger (France), Aide Médicale Internationale, Comité dAide Médicale, Comité de Secours Internationaux, French Red Cross, Groupe Urgence Réhabilitation Développement (Groupe URD), Handicap International (France), Islamic Relief (France), Médecins du Monde, Première Urgence, Solidarités International and Triangle Génération Humanitaire. Sigmah is developed as free software because it aims to be available to the humanitarian community as a whole.
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Ana Rosa Trancoso, José Delgado Domingos, Maria João Telhado, & João Corte-Real. (2011). Early warning system for meteorological risk in Lisbon municipality: Description and quality evaluation. 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 current work describes and evaluates an early warning system for meteorological risk in Lisbon that has been functioning in SMPC since February 2008. The system aims to integrate multiple sources of information and facilitate cross checking observations, forecasts and warnings, allowing for an efficient and timely evaluation of the alert level to issue. Currently, it comprises hourly weather and tide level forecasts and automated warnings for Lisbon city, given by MM5 and WRF models running at IST. Results show MM5 performing better than WRF except for warm weather. The overall skill of the warning system is 40% with some false alarm ratios, mainly for forecasts with more than 3 days in advance. This is a reasonable characteristic for early warning since a potentially problematic situation can be anticipated and checked avoiding unnecessary economic expenditures if the warnings do not persist.
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Daniel Twigt, João Lima Rego, Deborah Tyrrell, & Tineke Troost. (2011). Water quality forecasting systems: Advanced warning of harmful events and dissemination of public alerts. 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: Operational systems developed to monitor and forecast water quality can play a key role to counter and reduce the impact of harmful water quality events. Through these systems, many of the steps required to provide relevant information to the water quality manager can be automated, reducing the lead time required for a warning to be issued, as well as the potential for human error. The systems can also facilitate the routine dissemination of water quality forecasts to relevant parties in order to trigger early warnings or crisis response. This paper outlines some general characteristics of such water quality forecasting systems, focusing on the various elements from which such systems are composed. In addition, examples of existing systems to forecast bathing water quality and harmful algae blooms are provided as illustration. Such systems are either in a development stage (bathing water quality) or already used in operations (harmful algae blooms).
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Remko Van Der Togt, Euro Beinat, & Henk J. Scholten. (2004). Location-based emergency medicine: Medical Location Services for emergency management: Information and coordination of rescue resources. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2004 – 1st International Workshop on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 45–50). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Crisis and disaster management in the Netherlands has made huge leaps forward in recent years with regard to different organisations trying to manage one or more aspects of the safety chain. This research focuses on the information structure of health care during disasters with an aim to improve disaster management and tries to answer the following question: How can location based services improve information services within health care during disasters? Through the use of literature and interviews this thesis describes how disaster management can be improved through the use of Location Based Services (LBS). The scope of this research is aimed at better understanding the organisational processes during somatic health care. By defining a case and on the basis of literature and interviews in the Province of Utrecht, it was possible to develop a three layer graph model (3LGM). This model shows an overview of information processes performed by the health care organisation during the first hour after an accident. In this context, the 3LGM model is used to obtain an overview of the quality of information processing in such a problem area. The organisational structure, which deals with disaster management, consists of a strong co-operation between the police, fire departments, the local government and the 'Medical Aid during Accidents and Disasters' (GHOR). The size of the organisation depends largely upon the scale of the disaster, however the current information structure is not suitable for storing and processing the information in an efficient and effective manner. The same applies when displaying information related to casualties and safety within an area. With the help of location based services consisting of, geographical information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS) and second or third generation telecommunication technologies, the existing information structure can be optimised. Expected advantages are higher accessibility to health care, a safer environment for rescuers, more time for managing the healthcare processes and an improved interdisciplinary co-operation between the police, fire departments, the local government and the GHOR. © Proceedings ISCRAM 2004.
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