Christine Adler, Marion Krüsmann, Thomas Greiner-Mai, Anton Donner, Javier Mulero Chaves, & Àngels Via Estrem. (2011). IT-supported management of mass casualty incidents: The e-triage project. 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: Voice, analogue mobile radio, and paper have een successfully used for decades for coordination of emergencies and disasters, but although being simple and robust this approach cannot keep pace with todays requirements any more. Emerging and established digital communication standards open the door to new applications and services, but the expected benefit needs to be carefully evaluated against robustness, interoperability, and user-friendliness. This paper describes a framework for IT-supported management of mass casualty incidents, which is currently under implementation and study. The four pillars of the concept are handheld devices for use both in daily rescue operations and in disasters, autonomous satellite-based communication infrastructure, a distributed database concept for maximal availability, and psychological acceptance research.
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Albert Y. Chen, Feniosky Peña-Mora, Saumil J. Mehta, Stuart Foltz, Albert P. Plans, Brian R. Brauer, et al. (2010). A GIS approach to equipment allocation for structural stabilization and civilian rescue. 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: Efficient request and deployment of critical resources for urban search and rescue operations is vital to emergency response. This paper presents a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) supported system for on-site data collection to communicate structural condition, to track search and rescue status, and to request and allocate appropriate resources. The system provides a unified interface for efficient posing, gathering, storing and sharing of building assessment information. Visualization and easy access of such information enables rescuers to response to the disaster with better situational awareness. Resource requests are sent to the GIS resource repository service that enables a visual disaster management environment for resource allocation. Request and deployment of critical resources through this system enables lifesaving efforts, with the appropriate equipment, operator, and materials, become more efficient and effective. System development at the Illinois Fire Service Institute has shown promising results.
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Nils Ellebrecht, Konrad Feldmeier, & Stefan Kaufmann. (2013). IT's about more than speed. The impact of IT on the management of mass casualty incidents in Germany. 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. 391–400). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: In the new millennium new technologies (should) play an ever more prominent role in the management of mass casualty incidents (MCI). Drawing on empirical data from a four-year research project (SOGRO), the article reflects on the impact of information technologies (IT) on the organisation of emergency response and on rescue services against the backdrop of broader organisational shifts and contemporary demands. Because IT strengthens a particular way of MCI management, it is firstly described as expressing and reifying specific considerations of emergency response experts. Secondly, the benefits of an IT-based emergency response are critically reviewed. IT collects and makes available data about the rescue operation. Thus, it makes a formerly blurred rescue operation transparent. Although its operational benefit remains vague for on-scene executives, the visualisation reduces uncertainties among them. Thirdly, the article points out the inherent logics of IT. Its implementation not only satisfies newly evolved information needs, but also increases the control density.
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Jobst Löffler, Vera Hernández Ernst, Jochen Schon, Jens Pottebaum, & Rainer Koch. (2007). Intelligent use of geospatial information for emergency operation management. 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. 181–190). Delft: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: This paper presents the EU project SHARE which aims at developing a mobile service architecture to support large-scale rescue operations with multimedia communication and information services. The task of planning and controlling large-scale rescue operations requires flexible and robust tools which help the rescue forces to do their search and rescue work with maximum efficiency. Resource planning tools and cartographic information about the operation site are essential to fulfill the complex task of operation management. The Interactive Resource Management and MAP3D are two modules which have been developed in the SHARE project to enable the rescue operation leadership to do efficient coordination of their forces during an operation. Our paper will focus on features and interdependencies of both tools taking into account innovative feedback and interaction mechanisms.
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Thomas Plagemann, Katrine S. Skjelsvik, Matija Puzar, Aslak Johannessen, Ovidiu Drugan, Vera Goebel, et al. (2008). Cross-layer overlay synchronization in sparse MANETs. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 546–555). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks maintain information in the routing table about reachable nodes. In emergency and rescue operations, human groups play an important role. This is visible at the network level as independent network partitions which are for some time stable before their members change through merging or partitioning. We use the information from stable routing tables to optimize the synchronization of Mediators in a Distributed Event Notification System. In a stable partition each node has the same information, thus a single Mediator can efficiently coordinate the synchronization, while all other Mediators just receive updates. We show in our experiments that just a few seconds are needed until routing tables stabilize and all nodes have a common view of the partition. We present a heuristic to determine the proper time to synchronize. Furthermore, we show how exceptions, like disappearing coordinating Mediators and unexpected messages, can be efficiently handled.
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Samer Chehade, Nada Matta, Jean-Baptiste Pothin, & Remi Cogranne. (2020). Ontology-Based Approach for Designing User Interfaces: Application for Rescue Actors. 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. 54–65). Blacksburg, VA (USA): Virginia Tech.
Abstract: Nowadays, rescue actors still lack backing to exchange information effectively and ensure a common operational picture. Several studies report a low adoption of communication systems in rescue operations as well as a negative position of actors to such systems. The real needs of stakeholders, simply put, are not satisfied by the offered systems. Observing this circumstance through a user-centred design focal point, we notice that such issues ordinarily originate from inadequate design techniques. For this reason, we aim to implement Rescue MODES, a communication system oriented to support awareness amongst French actors in rescue operations based on their needs. In this paper, we propose an approach and introduce a platform that allows final users to design system interfaces in a customised way. This approach is based on an application ontology and an interaction model.
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