Abbas Ganji, Tom Wilson, Sonia Saveli, Dharma Dailey, & Mark Haselkorn. (2019). Cause and Effect: A Qualitative Analysis of Obstacles to Information Sharing During a Regional Disaster Exercise. 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: After large-scale disasters, diverse partner agencies rely heavily on an information-sharing environment that supports collaborative work. In the U.S., this occurs under the Incident Command System (ICS), a structured organizational framework for coordinated action. We explore obstacles to information sharing and coordinationobserved at a county-level Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operating under ICS during the response phase of a large-scale regional disaster exercise. Textual observations collected in situ are analyzed for both the effect/manifestation and cause/source of barriers to information sharing. Two-thirds of barriers that manifest as computational issues are not caused by technology breakdowns, and a third caused by unclear processes manifest as computational issues. Overall, obstacles to collaborative work that appear to be related to computational issues are generally attributable to non-technical causes. This indicates that resources directed at improving collaborative management of disasters by enhancing technological capabilities are likely to be misdirected.
|
Amanda Jaber, Björn Johan Erik Johansson, Linnea Bergsten, Joeri Laere van, & Peter Berggren. (2019). Evaluating the observation protocol of the Team Resilience Assessment Method for Simulation (TRAMS). 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: This work in progress paper presents an initial evaluation of the observation protocol of the Team Resilience Assessment Method for Simulation (TRAMS) conducted in a crisis response simulation project. TRAMS is designed to assess the resilience of crisis response teams. The TRAMS observation protocol uses six core resilience functions from the Systemic Resilience Model as its theoretical foundation. Three independent observers used the protocol during a pilot study and six actual simulation games. Strategies relating to three out of six core resilience functions could be identified. The observations made were distributed similarly among the observers, indicating that the components of the TRAMS protocol are stable enough to continue developing the protocol. This study describes changes made to the protocol since the original design, and describes how the strategies relating to the six core resilience functions can be identified in the simulation games.
|
Daniel Auferbauer, Roman Ganhör, & Hilda Tellioglu. (2019). Opportunistic Affiliation in Spontaneous Volunteer 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: Spontaneous volunteers influence crisis and disaster relief efforts as both an effective aid and a stressing factor for emergency organisations. Managing the negative impacts of spontaneous volunteering has thus become part of command and control deliberations. In this paper, we take a closer look at integrating spontaneous volunteers into the formal response system to mitigate negative impacts.
Working with participants from formal response organisations, we gathered qualitative data regarding the management of spontaneous volunteers during the European migration crisis in 2015.
Through thematic analysis, we extracted topics to systematically describe the interaction between emergency organisations and spontaneous volunteers. As implication thereof, we propose how computer supported systems can be applied to better manage spontaneous volunteers. In our discussion, we focus on the registration process and ad hoc verification of spontaneous volunteers to better integrate them in the formal response process.
|
Johan Nordström, & Björn Johan Erik Johansson. (2019). Supporting Inter-Organizational Learning – A Review of Post-Excercise Knowledge Sharing. 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: Inter-organisational learning from exercises and response operations is crucial for improving overall response capacity for coping with cross-domain crisis events. In order to compile and disseminate experiences and acquired knowledge in the form of lessons learned, post-exercise reports are written. This paper presents a review of 17 Swedish post-exercise reports. The review was conducted with the aim to investigate whether such reports contained enough information to support inter-organisational learning, i.e. if learning goals were stated, how the event was described, method for evaluation, conclusions, and whether recommendations for change were sufficient for supporting inter-organisational learning. It was found that most reports did not support organisational development and lacked recommendations that were useful outside the own organisation or the
context of the specific exercise scrutinised. The results indicate the need for an exercise evaluation framework for inter-organisational exercises.
|
Kristine Steen-Tveit, & Jaziar Radianti. (2019). Analysis of Common Operational Picture and Situational Awareness during Multiple Emergency Response Scenarios. 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: Disaster response operations require communication and coordination between agencies that seldom occurs in everyday workday situations. Furthermore, in such hybrid environments it is necessary to establish a common operational picture for the responders involved to support collaborative decision-making. The emergency responders must gain situational awareness, and this can further affect the quality of how they deal with the situation. Training in emergency situations is shown to be efficient for learning. In order to understand the complexity of working in unpredictable environments, an analysis of an audio-log from a large-scale drill was carried out. Moreover, this paper provides a definition of several categories for identifying the processes to establish situational awareness and a common operational picture among emergency responders. The analysis process revealed how the actors communicate and revealed an overall communication pattern.
|
Kristoffer Karl Darin-Mattsson, & Niklas Hallberg. (2019). Do's and Don'ts in Inter-Organizational Crisis Management Exercises. 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: It is commonly assumed that conducting exercises will contribute to better crisis management. However, the exact mechanisms of cause and effect are hard to isolate empirically. The objective of this paper is to compile and analyze the recommendations in the literature on inter-organizational exercises and learning. While not claiming to meet the strict scientific demand of empirical validation and general applicability, the compilation may nevertheless provide some guidance from research to practitioners. Forty-four papers about learning in interorganizational exercises were analyzed. Out of the analyzed papers, 28 discussed obstacles or success factors.
However, the recommendations applicable in one setting are not automatically valid in others, and some are even contradictory. The recommendations have therefore been categorized according to two criteria; when in the exercise cycle and for whom they apply. Several recommendations concern individual learning, but maximizing individual learning can sometimes hamper learning on the organizational level.
|
Mari Olsén, Niklas Hallberg, & Kristoffer Darin Mattsson. (2019). Who Learns from Crisis Management Exercises: An Explorative Study. 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: Exercises are stated to be an important means to learn how to handle crises. However, it has been discussed who should participate and what can be learnt from them. Several roles are involved in the planning, execution and evaluation of exercises, such as participants, observers, facilitators and evaluators. This paper presents an empirical study of the differences in learning experiences between participants and observers. The study was based on interviews with participants and observers involved in a series of exercises at municipality level. The result shows that the participants? learning relates to individual experiences and how well they felt they performed the task. Meanwhile, the observers? learning experiences concerned organisational issues. The findings suggest that to achieve variation in learning experiences, which is important for inventing new solutions, crisis management organisations need to allow their personnel to try different roles in the exercises to increase the learning outcome.
|
Pär Hans Tuve Eriksson, & Niklas Hallberg. (2019). Design to Fit – Morphological Analysis as a Tool for Exercise Design. 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: Exercises are considered as vital to develop and sustain crisis management capabilities. An exercise may have a role both as a provider of knowledge about the crisis management system, and its performance, and as a driver of change through training of individuals, groups and organizations. However, the relationship between the design and characteristics of a specific exercise, and the usability of its results in the development of the crisis management system is not well-understood. The objective of this paper is to explore if a morphological field can be used to investigate this relationship. Such a field was designed and evaluated. Even though this field was relatively simple, it was concluded that it provides results that deepen the understanding of how different types of exercises can contribute to the development of the crisis management system.
|
Sebastian Schmitz, Konrad Barth, Tim Brüstle, Tobias Gleibs, & Ompe Aimé Mudimu. (2019). Testing the implementation of a flying localization system into emergency response using a tabletop exercise. 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: To optimize the search for trapped victims after building collapses, the authors participated in the development ofI a localization system based on an unmanned aerial vehicle. The objective of this study is to evaluate an approach to implement this system into the command and control structures during the emergency response after a building collapse. For this purpose, a tabletop exercise, based on a gas explosion scenario in an apartment building, was carried out with emergency response managers of the fire department and the German federal agency of technical relief. Observers have documented the exercise. Additionally, audio and video recordings were used. Thus, statements could be made about the implementation approach and the tabletop exercise method. Based on the results, the implementation approach can be considered appropriate. In addition, knowledge was gained about the appropriateness of tabletop exercises for the purpose of scientific evaluation.
|
