Abstract: The use of emergency notification systems (ENS), or early warning systems, are not only common practice among Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs), but are required by law in the United States. The dramatic increase in use is matched by the increase in community expectation. This community expectation corresponding with societal shifts challenges Public Safety leaders to implement and maintain a broad and highly reliable ENS. Most Public Safety programs lack the internal resources to consistently assess system risk, reliability, and messaging validity of their ENS sufficient to match the required system performance. Virginia Tech Emergency Management is proposing an ENS evaluation system capable of supporting assessment of reliability and risk across the entire system through the lens of Socio-Technical Systems (STS) theory at a practitioner level. By organizing emergency notification/early warning systems through Human Subsystems, Technical Subsystems, and Task Design the practitioner can assess their system by performance and risk.

Abstract: This paper discusses serious games developed as part of a training program developed for a Dutch crisis response group, which acts during a (potential) flooding crisis. Training in general contributes to a wide range of learning objectives and can address different target audiences. For each combination of learning objective and target audience, the proper form of education has to be selected, ranging from self-tuition to large scale multi-party training and exercises. Serious games can be a useful and educational addition to the set of existing training tools. For operational crisis response groups a high match with real-time warning systems is essential. Our approach shows how to integrate both serious games and early warning systems for effective training and exercises. We end with our lessons learned in designing serious games based on early warning systems, in the context of a training program for a crisis response group.

Abstract: Maintaining the critical infrastructures, such as Drinking Water Treatment Plants (DWTP), transportation, power generation and communications systems, in a safe state is a complex problem. The effective collaboration, as well as the collection aggregation and dissemination of early warning information among the stakeholders of the Safety Management System (SMS) responsible for the safety of these critical infrastructures are some of the challenges that need to be addressed. This paper argues that the Software as a Service (SaaS) deployment model can offer new ways of enhancing the fusion of early warning information during the operation phase of critical infrastructures. It presents the requirements, the architecture and a number of features of a working prototype SaaS-based early warning information fusion system for DWTP safety issues in the Republic of Ireland. It is the first time that a SaaSbased working prototype system is reported of providing early warning information fusion services in the literature.

Abstract: The paper provides an overview of past, present and future development in the program to implement a Flood Forecasting and Decision-Support System (DSS) for the SAIH network in some Spanish basins. These tools represent a significant advance by embedding the decision-making components for management of hydraulic infrastructure into the flood forecasting and flood early warning procedures. The DSS has been implemented based on an open-shell platform for integrating various data sources and different simulation models. So far, it covers the Segura, Jucar, Tajo, Duero and Miño-Sil basins, which represent 42% of Spanish territory. Special attention is paid to the decision-support for the operation of the 66 major reservoirs as a fundamental part of flood management.

Abstract: Strong earthquakes of great intensity pose a severe threat to human life and property. Earthquake early warning systems are designed to give people in endangered areas valuable seconds to save their lives and property. The basis of an efficient warning system is a communication infrastructure that provides high-speed and reliable communication between the components of the warning system. This paper presents the distributed, decentralized communication platform for the ROBUST project. It discusses the key challenges and requirements such as resilience, real-time capability and target group-specific information distribution that are placed on such a communication platform. In addition, it presents the conception of the communication platform, which is based on a subscriber procedure between autonomous, decentralized peers (nodes), in order to be able to realize the requirements. Finally, it details the technical implementation, practical realization, and evaluation of the communication platform.

Abstract: Modern early warning systems (EWSs) use Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies to realize real-time data acquisition, risk detection and message brokering between data sources and warnings? destinations. Interoperability is crucial for effective EWSs, enabling the integration of components and the interworking with other EWSs. IoT technologies potentially improve the EWS efficiency and effectiveness, but this potential can only be exploited if interoperability challenges are properly addressed. The three main challenges for interoperability are: (1) achieving semantic integration of a variety of data sources and different representations; (2) supporting time- and safety-critical applications with performance and scalability; and (3) providing data analysis for effective responses with personalized information requirements. In this paper, we describe the ?SEmantic Model-driven development for IoT Interoperability of emergenCy serviceS? (SEMIoTICS) framework, which supports the development of semantic interoperable IoT EWSs. The framework has been validated with a pilot performed with accident use cases at the port of Valencia. The validation results show that it fulfils the requirements that we derived from the challenges above.

Abstract: Crowdsourcing has the potential to become a crucial information source in disaster management. In order to become effective as an integrated part of disaster management systems it is important to set the general architectural foundations for such integrations beyond prototypical experiments. This paper discusses general architectural principles of the application of crowdsourcing in Early Warning Systems (EWS). An integrated architecture is proposed to use classical sensor data and crowdsourcing in an EWS solution. Therefore, typical components of crowdsourcing applications are identified and mapped to monitoring subsystems of EWS's. Three main structural variants of applying crowdsourcing in early warning systems along the example of a prototypical extension of two existing large-scale hydro-meteorological warning systems are presented.

Abstract: In this paper, we describe the work on the system architecture that is being developed in the EU FP7 project TRIDEC on “Collaborative, Complex and Critical Decision-Support in Evolving Crises”. One of the two decision support use cases in the project deals with Tsunami Early Warning. A modern warning system that follows a system-of-systems approach has to integrate various components and subsystems such as different information sources, services and simulation systems. Furthermore, it has to take into account the distributed and collaborative nature of warning systems. Working on the architecture of such a system, you need to deal with a lot of current computer science and information technology problems as well as state-of-the-art solutions from the areas of Big Data and Human Sensors. In this paper, we present the seven main challenges we needed to solve and describe the necessary design decisions we made to tackle them.

Abstract: Response-focused information systems have the same data processing needs as citizen science initiatives. We present three lessons learned over a three-year period with a public facing information system devoted to early warning and event detection that will benefit designers of similar systems. First, we urge those creating information systems inside of crisis response to look for proxy events that will serve as an inexpensive means through which to pursue proof-of-concept or to explore pre-existing fully tested products. Second, we urge information system designers to engage the communities and gatekeepers of enthusiast communities surrounding the event that information system is meant to serve. It will not only help development, but also increase the chances of that system?s success. Finally, aiming for self-interest rather than event-interest will allow users to feel involved; ultimately aiding participation and retention.

Abstract: Dealing with multi-risk assessment needs reliable forecasting and warning systems able both to rapidly make available observational data and to make accessible forecast tools to the Decision Makers. In this paper we present Dewetra, a real-time integrated system for risk forecasting, monitoring and prevention. We provide a description of its features and examples of its operational use at the Italian Prime Minister Office – National Department for Civil Protection- Centro Funzionale Centrale. In particular is presented its application to flood risk management and to wild fire risk management.

Abstract: Many services provide weather forecasts, including severe weather alerts for the marine. It proves that many ships neglect the warnings because they expect to be able to handle the bad weather conditions. In order to identify possible unsafe situations the Coast Guard needs to observe marine vessel traffic 24 hours, 7 days a week. In this paper we propose a system that is able to support the Coast Guard. Ships can be localized and tracked individually using the Automatic Identification System (AIS). We present a system which is able to send a personal alert to ships expected to be in danger now or the near future. Ships will be monitored in the dangerous hours and routed to safe areas in the shortest time. The system is based on AIS data, probabilistic reasoning and expertise from the Coast Guard. A first prototype will be presented for open waters around the Netherlands.

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.