Linda Katrine Andresen, & Erik G. Nilsson. (2014). Finding the best devices for emergency responders in Norway – an empirical study. 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. 110–119). University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University.
Abstract: In this paper we present the results from four empirical studies where we investigate the most appropriate devices for high-ranking emergency leaders – termed commanders in this paper – working close to the scene of incident, usually outside. The studies apply different methods including interviews, questionnaires and usability tests to investigate the technology used by commanders in the agencies today, their motivation for using new technology, as well as their needs for new devices. Three of the studies involve commanders from the police, the ambulance service and the fire and rescue agency in Norway. Devices with different screen sizes ranging from 4,3“ to 40” were used or discussed in the studies. The main conclusion from all the studies is a very clear preference for tablets. We did however identify difference between the agencies regarding the preferred size of an “ideal” tablet, as well as wishes for using more than one device.
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Linn Marks Collins, James E. Powell Jr., Carolyn E Dunford, Ketan K. Mane, & Mark L.B. Martinez. (2008). Emergency information Synthesis and awareness using E-SOS. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 618–623). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: In an emergency, people need to be able to report and find relevant information quickly. Fulfilling these information needs is the design goal of E-SOS: Emergency Situation Overview and Synthesis, a research project in progress. E-SOS will consist of (1) a website where users can report information, (2) web services that find and synthesize related information from multiple sources, and (3) interface tools that visualize and display links to this information. In this paper we describe three of these services and tools: the topic, geographic, and information space awareness tools. When a user writes a report, the topic awareness tool will execute a federated search and display links to related information. The information space awareness tool will highlight these links in a visualization of the information space. If the user refers to a location, the geographic awareness tool will focus a map on this location and display topic-related icons.
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Lisa Fern, Stoney Trent, & Martin Voshell. (2008). A functional goal decomposition of urban firefighting. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 305–314). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: In this paper we describe a functional goal decomposition of urban firefighting as part of a larger cognitive task analysis. Previous research indicates that firefighter decision strategies employ a pattern-matching technique that allows them to choose the first workable option based on similar previous experiences. This study builds upon this research by employing multiple cognitive task analysis methods to further examine firefighter decisions through a functional goal decomposition. The functional goal decomposition outlines the functions, decisions and information requirements of firefighting in terms of two overarching goals-save lives and protect property. Information requirements provide useful insight into the difficulties of firefighter decision-making. Though still in the preliminary stages, this project has generated a number of design recommendations to support urban firefighting. Future analyses are also discussed.
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Louise K. Comfort, Brian A. Chalfant, Jee Eun Song, Mengyao Chen, & Brian Colella. (2014). Managing information processes in disaster events: The impact of superstorm sandy on business organizations. 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. 230–239). University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University.
Abstract: Building community resilience to natural disasters represents a major policy priority for the United States as hazards impact vulnerable urban regions with increasing frequency and severity. Applying network analysis techniques, we examine the dynamics of emergency response to Superstorm Sandy, which struck the United States east coast in late October 2012 and caused over $72 billion in damages. Drawing on a variety of data sources and analytical techniques, we document the storm's impact on a system of interacting private, public, and nonprofit organizations. We find that the storm's response network exhibited clear patterns of information gaps and flows among different types of organizations. Our findings suggest a general lack of communication between government agencies and businesses, an area of potential improvement in future regional-scale emergency response systems.
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Louise K. Comfort, Brian Colella, Mark Voortman, Scott Connelly, Jill L. Drury, Gary L. Klein, et al. (2013). Real-time decision making in urgent events: Modeling options for action. 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. 571–580). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: Decision making in extreme events presents a difficult challenge to emergency managers who are legally responsible for protecting life, property, and maintaining continuity of operations for their respective organizations or communities. Prior research has identified the benefits of gaining situation awareness in rapidly changing disaster contexts, but situation awareness is not always sufficient. We have investigated “option awareness” and the decision space to provide cognitive support for emergency managers to simulate computationally possible outcomes of different options before they make a decision. Employing a user-centered design process, we developed a computational model that rapidly generates ranges of likely outcomes for different options and displays them visually through a prototype decision-space interface that allows rapid comparison of the options. Feedback from emergency managers suggests that decision spaces may enable emergency managers to consider a wider range of options for decisions and may facilitate more targeted, effective decision making under uncertain conditions.
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Louise K. Comfort, Milos Hauskrecht, & Jeen-Shang Lin. (2008). Dynamic networks: Modeling change in environments exposed to risk. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 576–585). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Modeling the interaction between interdependent systems in dynamic environments represents a promising approach to enabling communities to assess and manage the recurring risk to which they are exposed. We frame the problem as a complex, adaptive system, examining the interaction between transportation and emergency response as a socio-technical system. Using methods of spatial and statistical analysis, we overlaid the engineered transportation system on the organizational emergency response system to identify the thresholds of fragility in each. We present a research design and preliminary results from a small-scale study conducted in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Region that examined the interaction between the transportation and emergency response systems. These results informed the design of a Situational Assessment Module for emergency managers, currently under development at the University of Pittsburgh.
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Ma Ma, Shengcheng Yuan, H. Zhang, & Yi Liu. (2013). Framework design for operational scenario-based emergency response system. 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. 332–337). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: The present paper introduces a scenario-based framework design for connecting emergency response system with human behavior analysis and social information processing, which aims at improving its comprehensive capability in dealing with unexpected situations caused by physical, social and psychological factors during a crisis. The overall framework consists of four function modules: Scenario awareness, scenario analysis, scenario evolvement and scenario response. A detailed function design for each module is presented as well as the related methodologies used for integration of four modules. The contribution of this paper includes two aspects. One is realizing the integration of incident evolution, information-spreading and decision-making by taking account of physical, social and psychological effects during emergency. The other is improving the efficiency of decisionmaking through dynamic optimization process.
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Magnus Ingmarsson, Henrik Eriksson, & Niklas Hallberg. (2009). Exploring development of service-oriented C2 systems for emergency 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: Local emergency-response organizations must maximize their use of existing resources. Therefore, emergencyresponse organizations need appropriate command-and-control (C2) systems to coordinate not only their own resources, but also to take advantages of other local actors. The local nature of response coordination imposes additional challenges for the development of C2 systems. In particular, the C2 systems must support coordination across organizational boundaries at the local level. Service-oriented architectures (SOA) provide new technologies for the development of C2 systems. This approach is based on a set of loosely-coupled services offered by multiple actors rather than a single monolithic system. This work reports the result of a prototype SOA implementation that builds on a previous requirements engineering study for service-oriented C2 systems for local emergency response. The results illustrate how it is possible to develop lightweight C2 systems using state-or-the art Web and SOA technologies. However, there are still remaining organizational and maintainability challenges.
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Manuel Llavador, Patricio Letelier, Carmen Penadés, José H. Canós-Cerdá, Marcos R. S. Borges, & Carlos Solís. (2006). Precise yet flexible specification of emergency resolution procedures. In M. T. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2006 – 3rd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 110–120). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Emergency Managers face a number of critical problems related to the compilation, validation, and use of Emergency Procedures. Traditional approaches do not provide enough expressiveness to accurately specify emergency procedures covering each possible scenario. As a result of this situation, Emergency Procedures are not as useful as they should be, neither in prevention nor during resolution of an emergency. In this work, we present an approach that merges two techniques to provide the broad expressiveness required when specifying Emergency Procedures. To represent sequences on actions performed by different participants we use workflow techniques. On the other hand, we use rules to represent available or mandatory actions according to the state of the system during the emergency. These rules are expressed in dynamic logic as the underlying formalism. Our approach provides more expressiveness and precision for the specification of Emergency Procedures, offering better conditions for their verification and validation. As a case study we have used part of a city subway Emergency Procedure.
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Marco Polo Ruiz Herrera, & Juan Sánchez Díaz. (2019). Improving Emergency Response through Business Process, Case Management, and Decision Models. 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: The emergency procedures contain a set of actions responsible for providing the necessary corrective measures to address an emergency. The relevance of contextual knowledge during emergency responses is of utmost importance since many decisions are made from the information gathered in real time that sometimes conflicts with the formal knowledge specified in the emergency plan. Consequently, tools that support the emergency plan mentioned must be sensitive to context and allow decision making at the time an emergency takes place. We demonstrate how Case Management Modeling Notation (CMMN) along with Decision Model and Notation (DMN) are very suitable approaches to obtain a flexible model adapted to the context-driven response processes.
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Marco Romano, Teresa Onorati, Paloma Díaz, & Ignacio Aedo. (2014). Improving emergency response: Citizens performing actions. 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. 170–174). University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University.
Abstract: The role of common citizens within the emergency management (EM) process is crucial in order to support efficiently the operators' activities during the response phase. Moreover, their participation is strictly related to their profile and their experience in previous events. In a previous contribution we identified the different roles that the citizens can play for an effective cooperation with the EM workers. In this paper, we introduce an emergency tool based on a mobile application designed to support the activities of the citizens acting as Agent. The Agents have specific capabilities recognized by the EM Operation Center (OC) to execute actions under the remote supervision of the EM operators. The proposed tool allows the Agents to receive information from the OC and to visualize it through an advanced visualization modality. In particular, available information is previously collected by the center from the witnesses and the affected people that have alerted about it.
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Maria A. Santos, António Gonçalves, Sandra Silva, Nuno Charneca, & Miguel Gamboa. (2004). Dam break emergency response Information System. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2004 – 1st International Workshop on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 27–32). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Although considered of low risk, incidents with dams may cause significant damage both directly and indirectly. Direct losses are usually easier to assess (assuming human lives are quantifiable), but indirect losses are difficult to measure and may take some time before the original situation is restored. Disaster prevention and vulnerability reduction have been topics of major concern in many local, national or international organisations for some years. These can be accomplished through emergency management which begins with hazard identification and planning for disaster mitigation but encompasses other activities as risk analysis, risk response and recovery. Therefore, an emergency management system with capacity to: i) forecast critical situations; ii) warn the population as well as the authorities; and iii) support the civil protection system to deal with an emergency, is a most helpful tool to minimize the impact of an accident. The Information System described herein fulfils mainly the third objective, i.e. it is intended to help the Civil Protection System in Portugal, to respond to an emergency caused by the failure of a dam. It is an Internet-based application, which integrates all relevant data for the implementation of a dam emergency plan. These data include the main characteristics of the dam and its reservoir, the character-isation of the dam downstream valley as well as the response procedures to be followed in an emergency. © Proceedings ISCRAM 2004.
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Markus Quaritsch, Robert Kuschnig, Hermann Hellwagner, & Bernard Rinner. (2011). Fast aerial image acquisition and mosaicking for emergency response operations by collaborative UAVs. 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: Small-scale unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have recently gained a lot of interest for various applications such as surveillance, environmental monitoring and emergency response operations. These battery-powered and easy-to-steer aerial robots are equipped with cameras and can promptly acquire aerial images. In this paper we describe our system of multiple UAVs that are able to fly autonomously over an area of interest and generate an overview image of that area. Intuitive and easy user interaction is a key property of our system: The user specifies the area of interest on an electronic map. The flight routes for the UAVs are automatically computed from this specification and the generated overview is presented in a Google-Earth like user interface. We have tested and demonstrated our multi-UAV system on a large fire service drill. Our system provided a high-resolution overview image of the 5.5 ha large test site with regular updates, proved that it is easy to handle, fast to deploy, and useful for the firefighters.
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Marnix De Ridder, & Chris Twenhöfel. (2004). The design and implementation of a decision support and information exchange system for nuclear emergency management in the Netherlands. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2004 – 1st International Workshop on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 33–38). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: An information system for decision support and information exchange is designed and a prototype has been build for use in the Back Office Radiological Information (BORI) of the EPAn; the Dutch nuclear emergency organisation. System developments are directed at a fast and efficient production of a radiological status report and the improvement of information exchange and communications between the participating institutes of BORI. Special attention has been given to network security and the information infrastructure to manage virtual workplaces. We have chosen for a standard web based system development for the presentation and communication facilities. This is supplemented by a GIS based system for the aggregation of measurement data and model calculations. © Proceedings ISCRAM 2004.
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Michael Alles, Alexander Kogan, Miklos Vasarhelyi, Starr Roxanne Hiltz, & Murray Turoff. (2004). Assuring homeland security: Continuous monitoring, control and assurance of Emergency Preparedness. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2004 – 1st International Workshop on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 1–7). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: This paper examines the potential relationships of Auditing and Emergency Preparedness with respect to the domain of the design of Emergency Response Information Systems. It proposes normative objectives for the integration of all these areas in the design of future organizational systems. It also proposes a series of steps to evolve in this direction and create a new interdisciplinary professional community to guide research and development for this field of endeavor. © Proceedings ISCRAM 2004.
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Michael J. Marich, Thomas A. Horan, & Benjamin Schooley. (2008). Understanding IT governance within the San Mateo County Emergency Medical Service agency. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 451–461). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: This paper examines inter-organizational governance within the context of a County wide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system. Through a case study approach that included an action research methodology, this paper reports research findings on how one multi-organizational EMS system in California designed a process to establish an inter-organizational IT governance structure. The process resulted in EMS stakeholders defining architectural qualities that could be used to drive the EMS enterprise to a higher level of architecture maturity. That is, away from inherent business silos and towards greater levels of standardization and integration of information and technology across all stakeholder groups. The San Mateo County, CA Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system provided the case study context to better understand characteristics of a high performing emergency response system. The unique governance structure of this case allowed researchers to formulate a preliminary understanding of what IT governance is within this context and how it plays a role within private and not-for-profit sector large-scale, inter-organizational, emergency response systems. We applied the time critical information services (TCIS) framework to the specific setting of the San Mateo EMS strategic redesign initiative. The TCIS framework was used to drive roundtable discussions and in addition to obtaining a better understanding of the governance dimension, much was also learned about the operational and organizational dimensions of a high performing emergency response system. From these discussions, a set of 11 key findings were developed in order to guide the county's procurement strategy and future strategic direction. The impact of these findings is that they will be used to formulate public and private sector service contracts that will remain in effect for the next 10 years.
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Mirko Thorstensson. (2012). Supporting observers in the field to perform model based data collection. In Z.Franco J. R. L. Rothkrantz (Ed.), ISCRAM 2012 Conference Proceedings – 9th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Vancouver, BC: Simon Fraser University.
Abstract: Computerized support systems enhancing taskforce performance are being increasingly used in different organizations in the emergency response, crisis management and military fields. Organizational demands for improved mission capabilities and reduced budgets impose new requirements on data content and system performance. More information needs to be provided by humans in the field, reporting observations from the evolving course of events in order to enhance possibilities for operational analyses and continuous development of organizational abilities. In this paper, we describe a method that can improve human data-collection abilities and data quality when using human observers as data collecting sensors in distributed tactical operations by applying model-based data collection. We introduce a tool that can support observers in the field, the network-based observer tool that can support human observers in determining what to report and how to report observations. We present results and findings from three different use cases. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Monika Büscher, Margit Kristensen, & Preben Mogensen. (2007). Making the future palpable: Notes from a major incident future laboratory. 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. 71–81). Delft: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Future laboratories allow users to experiment with future technologies in as realistic as possible conditions. We have devised this method because, to realize the potential of ubiquitous computing technologies it is essential to anticipate and design for future practices, but for prospective users it is often difficult to imagine and articulate future practices and provide design specifications. They readily invent new ways of working in engagement with new technologies, though and, by facilitating as realistic as possible use of prototype technologies in Future Laboratories designers and users can define both opportunities and constraints for design. We present 11 scenes from a Major Incidents Future Laboratory held in September 2005. For each scene we point out key results. Many raise tough questions rather than provide quick answers. In the discussion we summarize important lessons learnt.
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Monika Büscher, Markus Bylund, Pedro Sanches, Leonardo Ramirez, & Lisa Wood. (2013). A new manhattan project? Interoperability and ethics in emergency response systems of systems. 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. 426–431). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: In this paper we discuss ethical challenges arising around IT supported interoperability in multi-agency emergency management and explore some methodological responses.
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Murray E. Jennex. (2005). Informal early warning systems, the utility Y2K experience. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 287–289). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: The 2004 tsunami has generated a call for a global early warning system. Political issues may prevent this from occurring soon or at all. This paper explores previous experience with informal early warning systems from the Year 2000, Y2K, rollover. Informal early warning systems, IEWS, are cooperative systems formed outside of direct government control, usually from nonprofit or industry organizations. The two discussed utility Y2K IEWS were formed through an industry group and within a single multinational corporation. The paper concludes with lessons learned from the design and implementation of these systems.
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Murray Turoff, Connie White, Linda Plotnick, & Starr Roxanne Hiltz. (2008). Dynamic emergency response management for large scale decision making in extreme events. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 462–470). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Effective management of a large-scale extreme event requires a system that can quickly adapt to changing needs of the users. There is a critical need for fast decision-making within the time constraints of an ongoing emergency. Extreme events are volatile, change rapidly, and can have unpredictable outcomes. Large, not predetermined groups of experts and decision makers need a system to prepare for a response to a situation never experienced before and to collaborate to respond to the actual event. Extreme events easily require a hundred or more independent agencies and organizations to be involved which usually results in two or more times the number of individuals. To accomplish the above objectives we present a philosophical view of decision support for Emergency Preparedness and Management that has not previously been made explicit in this domain and describe a number of the current research efforts at NJIT that fit into this framework.
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Naci Dilekli, & Tarek Rashed. (2007). Towards a GIS data model for improving the emergency response in the Least Developing Countries: Challenges and opportunities. 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. 57–62). Delft: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Over the past few years, several standardized GIS data models have been developed to document “best practices” database designs for various application domains including the domain of emergency management. The majority of such models, however, have been developed in the context of developed countries as in the case of the Homeland Security geodatabase data model by ESRI®. These data models fail to be successful when transferred and used in the context of Least Developing Countries (LDCs) due to significant contextual differences in the domains of information systems and emergency practices. Therefore, developing GIS data models that are specifically designed for emergency response activities in LDCs are needed to improve existing emergency response practices in these countries. This paper reviews the state of development in GIS data models and the potential benefits and applications of building models that are specifically designed to support emergency response activities in LDCs. We first discusses why it is important to differentiate emergency response activities in LDCs from other contexts. We then present some theoretical considerations in developing GIS data models that can overcome contextual difficulties in LDCs in general and in the domain of information systenms. We finally attempt to provide key guidelines that may help designing a GIS Data Model, while is specifically referenced to the LDCs context.
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Nanja J. J. M. Smets, Guido Te Brake, Jasper Lindenberg, & Mark A. Neerincx. (2007). Influence of mobile map size and user capacities on situation awareness tested in a virtual environment. 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. 557–564). Delft: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: In the near future, first responders may become equipped with mobile devices providing navigation, decision and communication support. Because of the complex and chaotic circumstances in which these devices will be used, the devices should support the creation and maintenance of adequate situation awareness. Extensive testing of such devices for crisis management in real-life is expensive, complex, risky and only possible for specific settings. Therefore, we developed a synthetic task environment that is suited for developing and evaluating new concepts. In this paper, we present the results of the first experiment in this environment. Participants had to rescue victims in a synthetic world, and were supported by a map of the area showing the location and orientation of the participant and the victims. The experiment focused on the effects of map size and user's spatial ability on the quality of the situational awareness that was developed by the first responders. Besides the results of the experiment, experiences with the use of a synthetic environment for evaluation and development purposes are presented.
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Naveen Ashish, & Sharad Mehrotra. (2010). Community driven data integration for emergency response. In C. Zobel B. T. S. French (Ed.), ISCRAM 2010 – 7th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management: Defining Crisis Management 3.0, Proceedings. Seattle, WA: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: This paper describes our work in progress on an approach and technology for providing integrated data access in situational awareness applications – particularly for disaster and emergency response. The key new aspect of our work is an approach where information aggregation, processing, and integration capabilities are offered as a service to any new application builder. Further, we provide a framework for possibly reusing prior information integration knowledge, the development of which demands the major fraction of time and complexity in a new application, in a customized fashion for new application. Our overall goal is to provide a framework where integrated access to critical data in an emergency response situation can be enabled very rapidly and by personnel with basic IT and data handling expertise. Our approach, while general purpose, is currently motivated by and grounded in the context of situational awareness systems for incident commander decision support in the fire response domain.
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Nicoletta Baroutsi. (2016). Observing Sensemaking in C2: Performance Assessments in Multi-Organizational Crisis Response. 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: A crisis can involve multiple organizations during high pressure events, and it is up to the Command & Control (C2) unit to provide direction and coordination for the response (Brehmer, 2006). Hard as this problem is, there is still no ?one-solution?. Dissimilar organizations with very different methods seem to be able to master the problem. This paper presents the initial development of a new evaluation method for C2 in the context of multi-organizational crisis response. The data is collected at an emergency water exercise series conducted in several cities in Sweden. Each exercise involves multiple agencies and organizations, with up to 76 participants from 15 unique organizations/units. The analysis is brief, but presents the possibility of observing Sensemaking as it unfolds, and that generic behavioral patterns can be found. The existence of generic and observable behavior patterns suggests the possibility of assessing, and maybe even quantifying, Sensemaking performance in C2.
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