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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Jaco Appelman, Elisabeth A. M. Van De Kar, Mariëlle Hengst-Bruggeling, Josine Van De Ven, & Paul Burghardt. (2006). A service elicitation process for crisis management technologies. In M. T. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2006 – 3rd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 352–361). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: New information technological applications, that aim to support better professional responses to incidents and crises' are being developed at an increasing rate. We observe in almost any disaster that actions by civilians also contribute substantially to alleviation of the effects of a crisis. We are largely unaware what crisis management services would be of use to civilians under these particular circumstances; just as it is difficult for users to specify requirements for services based on novel technologies. These insights guided the design of a service elicitation approach that can be repeatedly used for different user groups. In this paper we introduce a design methodology and discuss outcomes of a first test-session. We reflect in the conclusions on improvements to the design.
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Jeremy Hutchings. (2006). Developing performance measures as part of an integrated approach to conservation management of cultural heritage assets. In M. T. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2006 – 3rd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 362–375). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: For sustainable care of cultural heritage it is essential to set accurate goals. However, the difficulty involved in establishing what is accurate in any given circumstance is often highly underestimated. Unbalanced decision making based on partial consideration of the situation surrounding a cultural heritage asset can at best result in inefficient use of resources and at worst will lead to its rapid loss. But the balance of risk against benefit is not straightforward, the impact of certain activities are far easier to quantify than others. Consequently, the adoption of a well balanced approach that considers all activities equally within the same framework is the key to providing appropriate and sustainable levels of protection. The development of an appropriate and systematic methodology offers a resolution to this problem. The outcome will be a suite of performance indicators assigned to each activity within a multivariate management framework. This paper describes the development and validation of such a methodology and the current status of the author's research.
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Marinus Maris, & Gregor Pavlin. (2006). Distributed perception networks for crisis 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. 376–381). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Situation assessment in crisis management applications can be supported by automated information fusion systems, such as Distributed Perception Networks. DPNs are self-organizing fusion systems that can infer hidden events through interpretation of huge amounts of heterogeneous and noisy observations. DPNs are a logical layer on top of existing communication, sensing, processing and data storage infrastructure. They can reliably and efficiently process information of various quality obtained from humans and sensors through the existing communication systems, such as mobile phone networks or internet. In addition, modularity of DPNs supports efficient design and maintenance of very complex fusion systems. In this paper, a fully functional prototype of a DPN system is presented that fuses information from gas sensors and human observations. The task of the system is to compute probability values for the hypothesis that a particular gas is present in the environment. It is discussed how such a system could be used for crisis management.
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Rae Zimmerman, & Carlos E. Restrepo. (2006). Information technology (IT) and critical infrastructure interdependencies for 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. 382–385). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Information technologies and other critical infrastructures are interconnected in ways that can lead to vulnerabilities in the ability of these infrastructures to perform during natural disasters and acts of terrorism either to reduce adverse consequences or provide needed emergency response services. This research applies and adapts a number of indicators of infrastructure interdependency based on the authors' earlier research to determine where weak points and strengths occur in the interconnections between infrastructure technology and other infrastructure support services such as electric power and transportation, and where weak points create vulnerability that can be improved for more effective response in emergencies.
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