Abstract: Qualitative research methods like GABEK WinRelan are advantageous tools to analyze and thereby improve crisis management planning and communication systems by interrogating crisis management personnel. Contrary to quantitative methods they help to identify, explore, and structure new important aspects in this field and to formulate more specific research questions. This paper describes the usage and advantages of the qualitative method GABEK WinRelan within crisis management research, particularly within the e-Triage project which aims at the development of an electronic registration system of affected persons in mass casualty incidents. Furthermore it addresses different corresponding research fields like stress within emergency missions and the role GABEK WinRelan could play in examining these research fields. © 2012 ISCRAM.

Abstract: Federal, State, and local decision makers and public health officials must prepare and exercise complex plans to contend with a variety of possible mass casualty events, such as pandemic influenza. Through the provision of quick look tools (QLTs) focused on mass casualty events, such planning can be done with higher accuracy and more realism through the combination of interactive simulation and visualization in these tools. If an event happens, the QLTs can then be employed to rapidly assess and execute alternative mitigation strategies, and thereby minimize casualties. This can be achieved by conducting numerous “what-if” assessments prior to any event in order to assess potential health impacts (e.g., number of sick individuals), required community resources (e.g., vaccinations and hospital beds), and optimal mitigative decision strategies (e.g., school closures) during the course of a pandemic. In this presentation, we overview and demonstrate a pandemic influenza QLT, discuss some of the modeling methods and construct and visual analytic components and interface, and outline additional development concepts. These include the incorporation of a user selectable infectious disease palette, simultaneous visualization of decision alternatives, additional resource elements associated with emergency response (e.g., first responders and medical professionals), and provisions for other potential disaster events.

Abstract: Efficient management of mass casualty incidents is complex, since regular emergency medical services structures have to be switched to a temporary “disaster mode” involving additional operational and tactical structures. Most of the relevant decisions have to be taken on-site in a provisional and chaotic environment. Data gathering about affected persons is one side of the coin; the other side is on-site patient dispatching requiring information exchange with the regular emergency call center and destination hospitals. In this paper we extend a previous conference contribution about the research project e-Triage to the aspect of patient data and on-site patient dispatching. Our considerations reflect the situation in Germany, which deserves from our point of view substantial harmonization. © 2012 ISCRAM.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to develop a simulation model to evaluate bleeding control kit location strategies for a mass casualty incident scenario. Specifically, the event simulated was an explosion at a large sports arena. The model included a representation of the arena itself, simulated crowd movements following the detonation of an improvised explosive device, injuries and treatments, and different ways for immediate responders to help injured patients using tourniquets. The simulation model gave logically consistent results in the validation scenarios and the simulation outcomes were in line with the expected outcomes. The results of the different tourniquet location scenarios indicated that decentralized placement (more than one location) is better, easy access is important (between rather than at emergency exits) and that an increased number of available tourniquets will result in an increased number of survivors.

Abstract: In mass casualty incidents (MCIs) different authorities and organizations with safety responsibilities (BOS) act in highly dynamic situations. BOS operating in MCI-scenarios have a large demand of different information. SpeedUp, a German government-funded research project, wants to support this information demand. From an IT-perspective, our basic concept is to model available resources (e.g., sources of information and communicative devices) as services and flexibly combine them to the information demand of the BOS. To achieve this, we have to know which kind of information is needed by whom and explore the structures, tasks and roles of the BOS involved. In this paper we employed an interdisciplinary and user – centered approach. It is the result of a close cooperation of two research groups: one from the Intercultural Business Communication (IWK) and one from the chair of computer sciences. While the IWK focused on identifying information needs via expert interviews and observations, the computer scientists were looking at the possibilities for technical support of these needs. Only both disciplines together can achieve viable solutions.

Abstract: This paper describes an approach to training emergency responders for mass casualty incidents. The approach is derived from a methodology and supporting software system called Summit. The Summit approach uses an integration of scenarios, hierarchical task analysis, interaction modeling, and expected utility theory to represent how actors engage in complex tasks; here we model mass casualty incident (MCI) activities supported by interactive technologies. Our goal is to ground MCI training in realistic scenarios and to demonstrate required response capabilities through associated hierarchical task analyses (HTA). The terminal nodes in an HTA are interactions, that provide a fine-grained model of the actors, technologies, data, and methods involved in realizing the required capability. The components of an interaction may have associated utility factors (benefits, costs, and risks) that provide learners with a rationale-based resource for understanding how different technologies are used to support MCI response efforts. Assessment of the approach is underway within a local EMS organization.

Abstract: Triage in emergency response refers to determining the priority of victims based on their need for treatment and medical intervention. Today, triage is performed by the use of paper-based triage tags. Communication about patients? status is mainly carried out over radio or through handwritten notes. This practice makes it challenging for emergency personnel to keep an overview of the number, location, and medical status of victims, and to distribute information between personnel. Although technological solutions to ease the triage process exist, the methods used to test these solutions are somewhat limited. This paper reports our plans and preparations for a practitioner-centered, long-term testing of an ICT-based triage system. The system uses electronic devices to tag patients and communicate their status to relevant incident operators, providing a common operational picture for both on- and off-site personnel. The technologies (eTriage and Master) that are to be used during the testing are presented.

Abstract: Requirements analysis of IT-support for rescue management showed that electronic checklist support is a vital function of any IT-based assistance system. Although checklists are a simple approach, their successful implementation and use depends on many factors. We nevertheless believe that Intelligent Electronic Checklist Sup-port Systems (IECSS) are especially helpful for the (inter-) organizational cooperation in disaster scenarios like mass casualty incidents (MCIs). In this paper we describe why, when, and how electronic checklists can be used to coordinate the work of the geographically dispersed rescue forces. For this purpose we will have a look at safety-critical and complex tasks in aviation and medicine where checklists already are successfully used and try to profit from this experience for the MCI domain. © 2012 ISCRAM.

Abstract: The work of first responders is marked by unpredictable situations, quick decisions and peak performance. Gathering all important information related to an emergency situation forms the basis for a meaningful and purposeful planning and action. For example during an accident scene the execution of complex individual orders is crucial. The many rescue facilities, rescue vehicles, and first responders needed lead to complex workflows. Real-life exercises are necessary to train controllers and first responders in handling these special situations, but are difficult and costly to organize. This paper gives a short overview of such an exercise and draws a rough practitioner-based vision of a potential simulation-based interactive system that could support exercise leaders and decision makers towards an effective utilization of real-life exercise data.

Abstract: Mass casualty incidents (MCIs) occur with natural or man-made disasters. Training emergency staff for combating MCIs is essential, but the cost can be high as such incidents rarely occur, and a physical simulation is resource-intensive. Triage is a critical task in dealing with MCIs. In this paper, we propose to use Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to build a low-cost, high-efficient system for MCI triage training. Our system captures more comprehensive training data and utilizes state-of-the-art AI evaluation methods.

Abstract: Efficient communication on base of consistent and up to date information is the key factor to cope with hard rescue missions. With the new generation of mobile devices local peer-to-peer communication in conjunction with geolocated information is promising to improve information's quality. Thereby, the routing of information in ad-hoc networks is very dynamic. This contribution, based on work of the SpeedUp project, analyses protocols and presents an approach which combines mobile software agents, routing in ad-hoc networks, and geolocated information to build up a reliable communication infrastructure. The 2MANS simulator allows efficient graphical model building. Geolocated information will be utilized as a map representation to improve the overall situation for unified rescue forces management.