Samuel Otim. (2006). A case-based knowledge management system for disaster management: Fundamental concepts. In M. T. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2006 – 3rd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 598–604). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Computer-based knowledge management systems are vital for disaster detection, response planning, and management. These systems aid in early warning, and provide decision support for disaster response and recovery management. Managing past knowledge for reuse can expedite the process of disaster response and recovery management. While early warning systems predict some disasters with remarkable accuracy, there is a paucity of knowledge management systems for disaster response and management. This paper outlines a case-based reasoning (CBR) knowledge management system that in effect, is a model of human reasoning since it is based upon the idea that people frequently rely on previous problem-solving experiences when solving new problems. A CBR knowledge management system results in efficient and effective disaster response and management.
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Benjamin Hong, Chanthujan Chandrakumar, Danuka Ravishan, & Raj Prasanna. (2023). A Peer-to-Peer Communication Method for Distributed Earthquake Early Warning Networks: Preliminary Findings. In V. L. Thomas J. Huggins (Ed.), Proceedings of the ISCRAM Asia Pacific Conference 2022 (pp. 111–116). Palmerston North, New Zealand: Massey Unversity.
Abstract: This work-in-progress paper presents preliminary findings of ongoing research into alternative peer-to-peer (P2P) communication methods for earthquake early warning (EEW) systems. It expands upon previous work (Prasanna et al., 2022) that explores a network architecture for a decentralised EEW system. This paper explores using Quick UDP Internet Connections (QUIC) over a hole-punched UDP tunnel as a potential alternative to a Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) for peer-to-peer networking in an experimental EEW network architecture. The performance of QUIC is tested and compared to TCP over ZeroTier, an SD-WAN chosen as a P2P communication method in the previous work, over a realistic network topology. The results show that QUIC can outperform TCP over ZeroTier. Future work is needed to produce a method suitable for actual use in an EEW system. This paper contributes to the EEW literature by introducing a new method of communication tailored for EEW.
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Flávio Horita, João Porto de Albuquerque, Victor Marchezini, & Eduardo M. Mendiondo,. (2016). A qualitative analysis of the early warning decision-making process in disaster management. 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: Early warning systems are an important means of improving the efficiency of disaster response and preparedness. However, in its analysis of the technological aspects of the infrastructure, the literature has failed to carry out an investigation of early warning process. This paper has sought to take a step toward understanding this issue by carrying out a qualitative analysis of the early warning process in disaster management. This has involved participatory observations and conducting interviews with practitioners from the National Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters (CEMADEN). The results have shown that this research area is a promising way of increasing efficiency and reducing the response time to warnings. This might be achieved by conducting a process analysis, which could provide evidence and information about bottlenecks or investigate the misuse of information systems or tasks by the players involved.
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Franclin Foping, & Ioannis M. Dokas. (2013). A saas-based early warning information fusion system for critical infrastructure safety. 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. 156–165). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
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.
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Kpotissan Adjetey-Bahun, Babiga Birregah, Eric Châtelet, Jean-Luc Planchet, & Edgar Laurens-Fonseca. (2014). A simulation-based approach to quantifying resilience indicators in a mass transportation system. 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. 75–79). University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University.
Abstract: A simulation-based model used to measure resilience indicators of the railway transportation system is presented. This model is tested through a perturbation scenario: the inoperability of a track which links two stations in the system. The performance of the system is modelled through two indicators: (a) the number of passengers that reach their destination and (b) the total delay of passengers after a serious perturbation. The number of passengers within a given station at a given time is considered as early warning in the model. Furthermore, a crisis management plan has been simulated for this perturbation scenario in order to help the system to recover quickly from this perturbation. This crisis management plan emphasizes the role and the importance of the proposed indicators when managing crises.
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Chanthujan Chandrakumar, Raj Prasanna, Max Stephens, Marion Lara Tan, Caroline Holden, Amal Punchihewa, et al. (2023). Algorithms for Detecting P-Waves and Earthquake Magnitude Estimation: Initial Literature Review Findings. In V. L. Thomas J. Huggins (Ed.), Proceedings of the ISCRAM Asia Pacific Conference 2022 (pp. 138–155). Palmerston North, New Zealand: Massey Unversity.
Abstract: Earthquake Early Warning System (EEWS) plays a major role during an earthquake in alerting the public and authorities to take appropriate safety measures during an earthquake. Generally, EEWSs use three types of algorithms to generate alerts during an earthquake; namely: source-based, ground motion or wavefield-based and on-site-based approaches. However, source-based algorithms are commonly used in most of EEWSs worldwide. A source-based EEWS uses a particular time frame of the P-wave of an earthquake to estimate the source parameters such as magnitude and the location of that earthquake with the support of P-wave detection and earthquake magnitude and location estimation algorithms. As the initial step of a research project which aims to explore the best use of P-waves to generate earthquake alerts, this Work in Progress paper (WiPe) presents the initial partial findings from an ongoing literature review on exploring the algorithms used for P-wave detection and earthquake magnitude estimation.
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Alicia Cabañas Ibañez, Dirk Schwanenberg, Luis Garrote De Marcos, Miguel Francés Mahamud, & Javier Arbaizar González. (2011). An example of Flood Forecasting and Decision-Support System for water management in Spain. 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: 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.
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Nabil Seddigh, Biswajit Nandy, & John Lambadaris. (2006). An internet public alerting system: A canadian experience. In M. T. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2006 – 3rd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 141–146). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Public officials have the responsibility of giving public directions and issuing warnings in the event of an emergency. Traditionally, siren systems, radio and television have been used as the primary means for issuing public alerts. Recently, there has been increased interest in evaluating the Internet's suitability for issuing public alerts during times of emergency. This paper presents a Canadian experience with the design and trials of an Internet-based emergency public alerting system (IPAS). We discuss a proposed set of requirements and system architecture. We also include a discussion of the challenges to be overcome in developing such systems and report on experiments and field trials using the IPAS system developed during this project. Our objective is to provide motivation for future research and industry work in this area.
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Marc van den Homberg, Lydia Cumiskey, Esther Oprins, Pablo Suarez, & Anja van der Hulst. (2015). Are you Ready! to take early action? Embedding serious gaming into community managed DRR in Bangladesh. 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: This paper applies a Game-based Learning Evaluation Model (GEM) to assess whether the early warning ? early action serious game ?Ready!? is an effective component to add to existing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) training curricula, facilitated by NGO staff and applied at the community level. We developed a paper-based survey with 17 five-level Likert items and 15 open questions addressing the different GEM indicators to question 16 NGO staff, and used a simplified set of five questions with emoticons for 58 community people. The results showed that the staff saw great potential in embedding Ready! in DRR processes and that the community highly appreciated the game. The GEM was found to be a useful methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of this serious game. However, in the context of a lower educated and partly illiterate community, the importance of designing an individual, largely visual assessment instrument instead of a paper-based survey was acknowledged.
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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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Anastasios Karakostas, Stefanos Vrochidis, Yiannis Kompatsiaris, Boris Kantsepolsky, Jürgen Moßgraber, Stamatia Dasiopoulou, et al. (2018). beAWARE: Enhancing Decision Support and Management Services in Extreme Weather Climate Events. In Kees Boersma, & Brian Tomaszeski (Eds.), ISCRAM 2018 Conference Proceedings – 15th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 1136–1139). Rochester, NY (USA): Rochester Institute of Technology.
Abstract: In every disaster and crisis, incident time is the enemy, and getting accurate information about the scope, extent, and impact of the disaster is critical to creating and orchestrating an effective disaster response and recovery effort. The main goal of beAWARE framework is to provide support in all the phases of an emergency incident. More specifically, we propose an integrated solution to support forecasting, early warnings, transmission and routing of the emergency data, aggregated analysis of multimodal data and management the coordination between the first responders and the authorities.
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Tina Comes, Brice Mayag, & Elsa Negre. (2015). Beyond Early: Decision Support for Improved Typhoon Warning Systems. 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: Warnings can help prevent damage and harm if they are issued timely and provide information that help responders and population to adequately prepare for the disaster to come. Today, there are many indicator and sensor systems that are designed to reduce disaster risks, or issue early warnings. In this paper we analyze the different systems in the light of the initial decisions that need to be made in the response to sudden onset disasters. We outline challenges of current practices and methods, and provide an agenda for future research.
To illustrate our approach, we present a case study of Typhoon Haiyan. Although meteorological services had issued warnings; relief goods were prepositioned; and responders predeployed, the delivery of aid was delayed in some of the worst hit regions. We argue for an integrated consideration of preparedness and response to provide adequate thresholds for early warning systems that focus on decision-makers needs.
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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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S.H.M. Fakhruddin. (2006). Community based cost effective early warning dissemination network (EWDN). In M. T. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2006 – 3rd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 50–51). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Natural disasters are frequent in Bengladesh. Because Bengladesh has a fragile economy that is mostly dependent on agriculture, these events can be disastrous to the economy and people of the country. Adequate warnings to the community and institutions can mitigate the deleterious effects. This paper presents a model for an effective disaster warning and dissemination system (EWDN) that can provide timely and accurate alerts of natural disasters thus reducing loss of life, property and other risks.
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Sterl, S., Almalla, N., & Gerhold, L. (2023). Conceptualizing a Pandemic Early Warning System Using Various Data: An Integrative Approach. In Jaziar Radianti, Ioannis Dokas, Nicolas Lalone, & Deepak Khazanchi (Eds.), Proceedings of the 20th International ISCRAM Conference (pp. 284–294). Omaha, USA: University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Abstract: Covid-19 demonstrated the vulnerability of various systems and showed, however, that digital tools and data can serve not only to stop infections but also to detect viruses before or immediately after a zoonosis has occurred, thus preventing a potential pandemic. Although several pandemic early warning systems (P-EWS) and German pandemic-related projects (G-PRP) exist, they often use a limited data range or rely on third-party data. Here, we present a concept of an integrative pandemic early warning system (IS-PAN) applied to Germany using various data such as health data (e.g., clinical/syndromic) or internet data (e.g., social media/apps). Based on a systematic literature research of P-EWS and G-PRP on scientific and public health platforms, we derived indicators that help to detect virus threats with a system consisting of modules monitored in parallel. By integrating various pre collected digital data, this approach can help to identify a potential health threat efficiently and effectively.
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Andrea H. Tapia, Nicolas LaLone, Elizabeth MacDonald, Reid Priedhorsky, & Hall Hall. (2014). Crowdsourcing rare events: Using curiosity to draw participants into science and early warning systems. 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. 135–144). University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University.
Abstract: This research presents a centralized boundary object website and mobile app focused on allowing participants to participate in developing an early warning system through space weather and the beauty of the aurora borealis. Because of the beauty and majesty of auroral activity, people will seek information about when and where these unpredictable events occur. This activity, commonly referred to as nowcasting, can be combined with scientific data collected from observatories and satellites and serve as an early warning system with potentially far greater accuracy and timeliness than the current state of the art. We believe that long-term engagement with a citizen science tool will help bridge the many social worlds surrounding the aurora borealis and lead to the development of an early warning system that may correlate the visibility of the northern lights to violent space weather. We hope this will lead to other real time crowdsourced early warning systems in the future.
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Andrew Marinik, Ludwig Gantner, Scott Fritz, & Sean Smith. (2020). Developing Performance Metrics of an Emergency Notification System. In Amanda Hughes, Fiona McNeill, & Christopher W. Zobel (Eds.), ISCRAM 2020 Conference Proceedings – 17th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 663–668). Blacksburg, VA (USA): Virginia Tech.
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.
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Paola Pagliara, Angela Corina, Alessandro Burastero, Paolo Campanella, Luca Ferraris, Marina Morando, et al. (2011). Dewetra, coping with emergencies. 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: 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.
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Tom De Groeve, & Patrick Riva. (2009). Early flood detection and mapping for humanitarian response. In S. J. J. Landgren (Ed.), ISCRAM 2009 – 6th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Boundary Spanning Initiatives and New Perspectives. Gothenburg: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Space-based river monitoring can provide a systematic, timely and impartial way to detect floods of humanitarian concern. This paper presents a new processing method for such data, resulting in daily flood magnitude time series for any arbitrary observation point on Earth, with lag times as short as 4h. Compared with previous work, this method uses image processing techniques and reduces the time to obtain a 6 year time series for an observation site from months to minutes, with more accurate results and global coverage. This results in a daily update of major floods in the world, with an objective measure for their magnitude, useful for early humanitarian response. Because of its full coverage, the grid-based technique also allows the automatic creation of low-resolution flood maps only hours after the satellite passes, independent of cloud coverage.
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Ana Rosa Trancoso, José Delgado Domingos, Maria João Telhado, & João Corte-Real. (2011). Early warning system for meteorological risk in Lisbon municipality: Description and quality evaluation. 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: The current work describes and evaluates an early warning system for meteorological risk in Lisbon that has been functioning in SMPC since February 2008. The system aims to integrate multiple sources of information and facilitate cross checking observations, forecasts and warnings, allowing for an efficient and timely evaluation of the alert level to issue. Currently, it comprises hourly weather and tide level forecasts and automated warnings for Lisbon city, given by MM5 and WRF models running at IST. Results show MM5 performing better than WRF except for warm weather. The overall skill of the warning system is 40% with some false alarm ratios, mainly for forecasts with more than 3 days in advance. This is a reasonable characteristic for early warning since a potentially problematic situation can be anticipated and checked avoiding unnecessary economic expenditures if the warnings do not persist.
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Angela I. Chung, Jesse F. Lawrence, & Carl Christensen. (2013). Evaluating the integrability of the quake-catcher network (QCN). 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. 386–390). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: This paper reviews the Quake-Catcher Network (QCN), a distributed computing seismic network that uses lowcost USB accelerometers to record earthquakes, and discusses the potential to incorporate QCN stations with traditional seismic networks. These very dense urban networks could then be used to create a working earthquake early warning system, as has been shown by our preliminary tests of the QCN in Christchurch, New Zealand. Although we have not yet attempted to add traditional seismometers to the QCN or supplement existing seismic networks with QCN sensors, we suggest that to do so would not be difficult, due to the simple nature of our network.
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Douglas C. Pattie, & Stefanie Dannenmann. (2008). Evaluation and strengthening of early warning systems in countries affected by the 26 December 2004 Tsunami. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 415–423). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: The objective of this international initiative was to provide an integrated framework for strengthening early warning systems in the Indian Ocean region by building on existing systems and facilitating coordination among specialized and technical institutions. The project supported the development of tsunami early warning systems in collaboration with numerous United Nations and other organizations devoted to disaster risk management and risk reduction. For the practitioner of early warning systems, the project has been divided into two areas-warning system development and preparedness. As a cross-cutting theme, the project promoted multi-hazard end-to-end systems in a regional context by emphasizing (i) risk knowledge, (ii) monitoring and warning service, (iii) communications and dissemination of understandable warnings and (iv) response capability and preparedness. The activities of the project were structured into five components-system implementation, integrated risk management, public awareness and education, community-level approaches and project coordination. Practitioners should note that the work represents a first step for establishing a complete tsunami early warning system within a multi-hazard framework.
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Matthias Lendholt, & Martin Hammitzsch. (2011). Generic information logistics for 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: The delivery of user-tailored warning messages for heterogeneous user groups is a challenge rarely covered by hazard monitoring and early warning systems. While attention is mostly focused on sensor measurements and disaster prediction, warning message dissemination is often based on technical terminology and is not appropriate for the majority of interested user groups. This article describes the concepts of generic information logistics developed for the distant early warning system (DEWS). It is designed to not be limited to specific hazard types, languages or other deployment specifics. Instead, it enables the generation of user-tailored warning messages that account for specific needs and it provides several filter mechanisms to avoid unintended message flooding in emergency situations. Moreover, the importance of spatial references in messages is highlighted and accounted for in both automatic message processing and message reception by humans. Warning messages are based on the common alerting protocol (CAP) to allow interoperability with other early warning systems.
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Nick LaLone, Andrea H. Tapia, Nathan A. Case, Elizabeth MacDonald, Michelle Hall, & Matt Heavner. (2015). HYBRID COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN CROWDSOURCED EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS. 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: In this paper we present Aurorasaurus: a website, a mobile application, and a citizen science initiative that allows a community of users to report and verify sightings of the Aurora Borealis. Through ad-hoc data indirectly offered through social media, a community of citizen scientists verify sightings of the Aurora Borealis. These verified data are tested against currently existing aurora-forecasting models. The insights these data provide are transformed into map and text-based forms. In addition, notifications are sent to interested participants in a timely manner. This is a design test-bed for an early warning system (EWS) that is capable of detecting and communicating the earliest signs of disaster to community members in near real time. Most importantly, this system incorporates community participation in improving the quality of data mined from Twitter and direct community contributions.
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Samuel Auclair, Pierre Gehl, Mickael Delatre, Christophe Debray, & Philippe Méresse. (2022). In-depth Analysis of Practitioners' Perceptions about Seismic Early Warning Prior to Aftershocks: The Point of View of the USAR Community. In Rob Grace, & Hossein Baharmand (Eds.), ISCRAM 2022 Conference Proceedings – 19th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 740–754). Tarbes, France.
Abstract: Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams are particularly exposed to the risk of collapse of buildings due to aftershocks, making concept of earthquake early warning (EEW) particularly interesting. In addition to scientific advances in EEW, it is crucial to understand what are the real expectations and needs of USAR teams, and to what extent EEW solutions could meet them. In this study, we conduct a survey to collect insights from USAR rescuers: it highlights that aftershocks are a major concern for them. In this context, we find that the concept of EEW is very favorably received by the respondents, who consider different types of possible actions upon receipt of an early warning. This study provides a basis for the functional specifications of future solutions of EEW useful to all USAR teams, as well as for the definition of their modalities of engagement on the field.
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