Janine Hellriegel, & Michael Klafft. (2014). A tool for the simulation of alert message propagation in the general population. In and P.C. Shih. L. Plotnick M. S. P. S.R. Hiltz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2014 Conference Proceedings – 11th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 65–69). University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University.
Abstract: Informing and alerting the population in disaster situations is a challenging task. Numerous situational factors have to be considered, as well as the impact of a plethora of communication channels, and multiplication effects in the population. In order to optimize the alerting strategies and enhance alert planning, it would be beneficial to model the dissemination of alerts. In this paper, we present a general overview of an alert dissemination model as well as its prototypical implementation in a simulation software. The software takes situational parameters such as time of day and location into account and can even infer characteristics of the alerting infrastructure from geospatial information.
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Michael Klafft. (2016). Effect of Daytime on the Efficiency of Population Alerts via Short Messages and E-Mails. 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: Alerting the population in time of crises and disasters can be challenging depending on the situational context. One key factor for success is to attract people?s attention to the fact that an alert has been issued. Attracting atten¬tion is affected by the alerting channel and its wake-up effect, but also by the time when an alert is being issued. While the reach as a function of daytime has been studied in-depth for some traditional me¬¬dia like TV (see, for example, Held 2001 for data from Germany), little is known about the impact of time on the efficiency of more recently established alerting channels like short messages (SMS) and e-mail. Furthermore, most exis¬ting stu¬dies rather focus on sending the alert to the recipient, rather than analyzing whether the recipient actually read the incoming message, or do not take into account the effect of time on the alert?s impact. How¬ever, this infor¬mation is helpful for practitioners like se¬curi¬ty and safety planners to better prepare for future incidents, and to optimize their communication strate¬gies. In order to close this gap, a field test to analyze how quickly ordinary people actually notice alerts via SMS and e-mail was conducted in the German county of Lippe. In total, 250 participants were acquired for the test through personal contacts, with the help of regional emergency mana¬gement officials, and via snowballing. The latter was important to reduce potential participant bias. People interested in joining the test registered through a website, where they could also select the alert channel(s) of their pre¬feren¬ce. The actual field test was then conducted during fourteen days, in which three test alerts were sent to registered participants.
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Michael Klafft, & Ulrich Meissen. (2011). Assessing the economic value of early warning systems. 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: As of today, investments into early warning systems are, to a large extent, politically motivated and “disaster-driven”. This means that investments tend to increase significantly if a disaster strikes, but are often quickly reduced in the following disaster-free years. Such investment patterns make the continuous operation, maintenance and development of the early warning infrastructure a challenging task and may lead to sub-optimal investment decisions. The paper presented here proposes an economic assessment model for the tangible economic impact of early warning systems. The model places a focus on the false alert problematic and goes beyond previous approaches by incorporating some socio-cultural factors (qualitatively estimated as of now). By doing so, it supports policymakers (but also private investors) in their investment decisions related to early warning applications.
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Simone Wurster, Frank Fiedrich, Michael Klafft, & Andreas Bohn. (2016). Sudden Cardiac Arrest and the Role of Crowd Tasking Apps for Risk Mitigation. 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: Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is among the three most prominent causes of death in industrialized nations. Therefore, experts are calling for solutions, including smartphone-based systems to mobilize volunteers. German researchers are developing a crisis response system with a crowd tasking app. It aims to help reduce the effects of large-scale events, but also of ad-hoc incidents including SCA. This paper describes an approach to determine the potential of the system to increase the survival rate of SCA illustrated by an example. Its concept was analyzed by five experts from three countries and benefited from their feedback.
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Simone Wurster, Michael Klafft, & Marcel Kühn. (2015). Beyond Saving Lives: Assessing the Economic Benefits of Early Warning Apps for Companies in the Context of Hydrological Hazards. 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: Natural and man-made hazards are increasingly threatening modern societies. Therefore Turoff, Hiltz, Bañuls and Van Den Eede (2013) highlight the need for boosting efforts in planning for emergencies. Advanced early warning systems (EWS) provide opportunities to increase the resilience of societies. Warning via mobile phones is considered to be the best way of alerting but few public authorities already use this warning channel. EWS also help to protect property but their implementation requires significant investments. Cost-benefit estimations are needed for public authorities, insurance companies and the users, particularly private households and enterprises. This paper contributes a disaster-independent formula to disaster research with specific applications for hydrological hazards. Illustrated by a heavy rain scenario, it shows, in particular, the benefits of EWS for companies. A specific focus is put on lead time aspects.
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