Bruna Diirr, & Marcos R. S. Borges. (2013). Applying software engineering testing techniques to evaluate emergency plans. 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. 758–763). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: An emergency plan is an important artifact used throughout emergencies. Therefore, it is crucial that this plan covers the different scenarios faced by emergency team and that the prescribed procedures generate the desired results. To achieve these goals, emergency plans need to be exhaustively tested prior to its adoption. Emergency teams usually use simulation to test plans, but it is an expensive approach, demanding the building of complex environments and tools to get realistic situations. To be ready to go through a simulation exercise, a plan should not have many or critical mistakes, otherwise the simulation exercise would be wasted. We present a paired approach to evaluate emergency plans before simulation exercises, by applying software engineering testing techniques: Formal technical review (FTR) and mutation testing. The expected result is a plan more ready to go through simulation, as many of the mistakes are eliminated prior to simulation.
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Hagen Engelmann, & Frank Fiedrich. (2007). Decision support for the members of an emergency operation centre after an earthquake. 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. 317–326). Delft: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: The first three days after an earthquake disaster demand good decisions in a very complex environment. Members of emergency operation centres (EOC) have to make decisions with limited information and under high time pressure. But the first 72 hours of disaster response activities are essential to minimize loss of life. Within the interdisciplinary German Collaborative Research Center 461: “Strong Earthquakes: A Challenge for Geosciences and Civil Engineering” a so-called Disaster Management Tool (DMT) is under development which presents some ideas for appropriate solutions to this problem. One module of the DMT will provide decision-support for the members of an EOC based on the Recognition-Primed Decision (RPD) model, a description of the decision-making process of persons in real-world settings. Options for a reasonable computer-based decision support for the RPD process will be discussed. For this the system combines a simulation of the disaster environment with a multi-agent system (MAS). The simulation shows the results of different decisions so the decision-makers can evaluate them. The MAS calculates a solution for optimal resource allocation taking into account current available information. The goal of the ongoing work is to integrate these instruments into a user-friendly interface considering the real life needs of decision-makers in an EOC.
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Mark P. Haselkorn. (2008). Towards a research program in Humanitarian Service Science & Engineering. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 797–799). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: This paper provides a brief history of recent activity fostered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) that has lead to ongoing discussion, investigation, analysis and community building around an area being called “Humanitarian Service Science and Engineering” (HSS&E). HSS&E is an extension of market-based “service science” into humanitarian and government service areas where there is a less clear and more complex “customer/provider” relationship; where criteria for optimization extend beyond single, relatively straightforward criteria such as efficiency or cost to include numerous, often competing goals involving complex areas such as politics, social justice and values; and where fundamental infrastructure such as power, transportation and communication cannot be assumed. HSS&E explores the applicability of existing modeling methodologies to this expanded, more complex environment of service science and engineering, and in doing so has identified the need for an integration of qualitative and quantitative methodologies beyond that which currently exists.
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