Anne Marie Barthe, Sabine Carbonnel, Frédérick Bénaben, & Hervé Pingaud. (2012). Event-driven agility of crisis management collaborative processes. 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: This article aims at presenting a whole approach of Information Systems interoperability management in a crisis management cell. We propose a Mediation Information System (MIS) to help the crisis cell partners to design, run and manage the workflows of the response to a crisis situation. The architecture of the MIS meets the need of low coupling between the partners' Information System components and the need of agility for a such platform. Based on the Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and the Event Driven Architecture (EDA) principles which, combined to the Complex Event Processing (CEP) principles, it will leads to an easier orchestration, choreography and real-time monitoring of the workflows' activities, and even allows the automated agility of the crisis response on-the-fly-we consider agility as the ability of the processes to remain consistent with the response to the crisis-. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Alena L. Benson, Keith Biggers, Jim Wall, & Mark P. Haselkorn. (2010). Adaptive development of a common operating environment for crisis response and management. 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: Complex information and communication systems present a special challenge to system designers because these are generally deployed as large, distributed systems with diverse user groups. Crisis response and management organizations in particular expect systems to be interoperable, resilient, flexible and provide lasting benefit. Currently, systems such as Virtual USA (Department of Homeland Security) and WatchKeeper (United States Coast Guard) seek to create common situational awareness for all participating agencies in security and incident response operations. We propose adaptive development as a system development model to build upon the ideas of systems such as Virtual USA and WatchKeeper in order to create sustainable and adaptable systems. Adaptive development supports ongoing improvement through user-driven design and modification in the target environment. An internet-based dashboard demonstrated during a United States Coast Guard Sector Seattle incident response exercise serves as an emergent case study for the adaptive model.
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Gary Berg-Cross. (2008). Improving situational ontologies to support adaptive crisis management knowledge architecture. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 537–545). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: There is considerable interest in advance technologies to support crisis and disaster management as they face the challenges of designing, building, and maintaining large-scale distributed systems able to adapt to the dynamics and complexity of crises. Candidate technologies include Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), related Semantic Web technology, agent-based architecture and cognitive architectures. Each embodies some principles of the Adaptive Architecture-including modularity, openness, standards-based development, runtime support and importantly explicitness. However, truly adaptive architectures for crisis management will require some deepening the knowledge architecture's content and not just its representation. Light and more robust ontological models of situations are discussed to show how better formalization of conceptual patterns like “participation” can be developed to support cognitive architectures. The feasibility of an ontological design pattern approach is described as an avenue for future research and development describing specific types of situations.
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Mike Botts, George Percivall, Carl Reed, & John Davidson. (2008). OGC® sensor web enablement: Overview and high level architecture. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 713–723). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: A precursor paper (also available as an OGC White Paper) provides a high-level overview of and architecture for the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards activities that focus on sensors, sensor networks, and a concept called the “Sensor Web”. This OGC focus area is known as Sensor Web Enablement (SWE). For readers interested in greater technical and architecture details, please download and read the OGC SWE Architecture Discussion Paper titled “The OGC Sensor Web Enablement Architecture” (OGC document 06-021r1).
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Lívia C. Degrossi, Guilherme G. Do Amaral, Eduardo S. M. De Vasconcelos, João Porto De Albuquerque, & Jo Ueyama. (2013). Using wireless sensor networks in the sensor web for flood monitoring in Brazil. 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. 458–462). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: Flood is a critical problem that will increase as a result of climate changes. The problem of flooding is particularly challenging over the rainy season in tropical countries like Brazil. In this context, wireless sensor networks that are capable of sensing and reacting to water levels hold the potential of significantly reducing the damage, health-risks and financial impact of events. In this paper, we aim to outline our experiences with developing wireless sensor network for flood monitoring in Brazil. Our approach is based on Open Geospatial Consortium's (OGC) Sensor Web Enablement (SWE) standards, so as to enable the collected data to be shared in an interoperable and flexible manner. We describe the application of our approach in a real case study in the city of São Carlos/Brazil, emphasizing the challenges involved, the results achieved, and some lessons learned along the way.
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Barry Demchak, & Ingolf H. Krüger. (2008). Rich feeds for RESCUE. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 566–575). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: Effective responses to emergency situations require accessing both information that is known ahead of time and information from emergent sources. Whereas emergency providers have succeeded in formalizing acquisition and distribution of information from pre-existing sources, emergent and unconventional sources remain a challenge, especially in the context of rapid system-of-systems integration. The Rich Feeds project demonstrates the use of the Rich Services architectural pattern to incorporate data capture facilities into a framework that attends to crosscutting concerns such as authentication, authorization, encryption, and governance. By organizing a system-of-systems, Rich Services fosters the rapid incorporation of novel data sources while promoting scalability, low overall system risk, and fine grained policy definition and evaluation. In this paper, we demonstrate Rich Feeds' use of Rich Services in accessing multiple data streams during research and disaster drills. Additional opportunities include adding data sources and extraction methods, and increasing flexibility of policy definition and evaluation.
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Alessandro Faraotti, Antonella Poggi, Berardino Salvatore, & Guido Vetere. (2009). Information management for crisis response in WORKPAD. 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: WORKPAD (EU STREP project FP6-2005-IST-5-034749) is an experimental platform for Crisis Response which adopts a decentralized, event-driven approach to overcome problems and limitations of centralized systems. The flexibility of P2P networking is relevant when different organizations must get rapidly integrated the one another, without resorting on standardized ontologies and centralized middleware components. This paper illustrates the main features of the Information Integration platform we've designed. A number of relevant technical and theoretical issues related to decentralized platforms are discussed in the light of specific needs of Crisis Response.
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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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Robin Marterer, Matthias Moi, & Rainer Koch. (2012). An architecture for distributed, event-driven systems to collect and analyze data in emergency operations and training exercises. 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: In order to perform serious research on reliable data from emergency operations and trainings, technological support is essential. Therefore we present an architecture for distributed, event-driven systems for the collection and analysis of data in emergency operations and trainings. The logical as well as the technical architecture will be presented. Most important design decisions, e.g. regarding extensibility, will be described. The architecture has been implemented as a system, which is composed out of a core server and distributed sensors sending data. The system is running since two years in two big European cities. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Graeme McFerren, & Philip Frost. (2009). The Southern African advanced fire information system. 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: This paper concerns the development of the South African Advanced Fire Information System (AFIS). We describe a use case of wildfires causing electricity transmission lines to be adversely affected. This use case provided the rationale for investment into a system for detecting and monitoring wildfires. AFIS functionality is described and we quantify its user acceptance and benefits before discussing ongoing research and implementation efforts to allow AFIS to become a standards-compliant, service-oriented system serving the original use case but re-deployable or re-usable by other organisations for similar or alternative purposes. We end with a view of future work that will potentially allow AFIS to reach a wider audience.
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Theo Dirk Meijler, & Frank Nietzold. (2011). Light-weight model-based realization of a B2B protocol and a SOA integration engine. 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: In emergency management, communication between the emergency management team and the outer world is essential. When using an emergency management system, such communication is often IT-based. To disburden the emergency management team, structured “B2B” messages may be used that correspond to the (foreseen) lifecycle of relevant entities in the emergency, such as threats and measures. The paper introduces an approach for the realization of a B2B messaging protocol and the corresponding integration engine, which maps message content to service calls, in the context of an emergency management system. The approach is light-weight and model-based, as protocols and integration engine are based on merely modeling the states and state transitions of objects in the system representing essential entities in the emergency. As the model is described in non-technical terms, this can be done by a non-IT expert.
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Sofie Pilemalm, & Niklas Hallberg. (2008). Exploring service-oriented C2 support for emergency response for local communities. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 159–166). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: The increased impact of natural disasters and terror attacks on our society has augmented the awareness of needs for advances in emergency response. For local communities it is vital to make use of existing resources. Service-oriented technology provides new possibilities for the enhancement of command and control (C2) systems. However, to gain full use of the technology, it must harmonize with the supported organizations and their work procedures. This paper explores the possibilities and usefulness of service oriented C2-systems for emergency response at the local community level. The study was performed in five steps: (1) literature study, (2) interviews, (3) scenario design, (4) prototyping service-oriented C2 systems, and (5) a scenario based evaluation. The results show that service-oriented C2 systems would support and enhance emergency response at the local community level. Still, several issues that need to be further considered remain, not the least the ability of quality assurance of services.
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Robin E. Mays, Mark Zachry, Murat, A., & Mark P. Haselkorn. (2011). Aligning border security workflow and decision making with supporting information and communication 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 part of the National Center for Border Security and Immigration (NCBSI) led by the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), researchers from the University of Washington, Wayne State University, and UTEP conducted a three-site study of border security operations and the role of command, control and communication (C3) systems in support of those operations. While inevitably bringing some positive capability to the environment, if C3 systems are not consciously aligned with desired practices and decision-making, the implications will not always be for the better. This is especially true of C3 systems in the border security environment because these systems are intimately intertwined with complex and critical workflow and decision-making processes, often in the context of complex and, at times, competing missions.
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Tim Schoenharl, Greg Madey, Gábor Szabó, & Albert-László Barabási. (2006). WIPER: A multi-agent system for emergency response. In M. T. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2006 – 3rd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 282–287). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: This paper describes the proposed WIPER system. WIPER is intended to provide emergency planners and responders with an integrated system that will help to detect possible emergencies, as well as to suggest and evaluate possible courses of action to deal with the emergency. The system is designed as a multi-agent system using web services and the service oriented architecture. Components of the system for detecting and mitigating emergency situations can be added and removed from the system as the need arises. WIPER is designed to evaluate potential plans of action using a series of GIS enabled Agent-Based simulations that are grounded on realtime data from cell phone network providers. The system relies on the DDDAS concept, the interactive use of partial aggregate and detailed realtime data to continuously update the system and allow emergency planners to stay updated on the situation. The interaction with the system is done using a web-based interface and is composed of several overlaid layers of information, allowing users rich detail and flexibility.
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Frederik Schütte, Rubén Casado, & Emilio Rubiera. (2013). Solving interoperability issues in cross border emergency operations. 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. 370–375). KIT; Baden-Baden: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie.
Abstract: This paper describes the work that is being done within the EU research project DISASTER to solve interoperability issues in cross-border emergency operations by applying a technical solution that is able to create a common operational picture. To that end a twofold solution is proposed: The development of a common and modular ontology shared by all the stakeholders taking into account different countries cultural, linguistic and legal issues. And, from that point, bearing in mind that most legacy EMSs (Emergency Management Systems) rely on Service-Oriented-Architectures (SOA), the implementation of transparent SOA mediation algorithms compliant with current data formats and existing solutions. That way, a mediation solution is provided by the DISASTER Mediator, which plays the role of gateway for each EMS enabling a communication based in Web Services. In order to avoid a misunderstanding of shared information it is necessary to create a solution that offers more than a plain translation of terms but rather a concept mediation so the corresponding user is able to understand the situation in its own framework of reference.
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Alexander Smirnov, Tatiana Levashova, Andrew Krizhanovsky, Nikolay Shilov, & Alexey Kashevnik. (2009). Self-organizing resource network for traffic accident 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: Traffic accidents are a common feature of the modern life. The paper proposes an approach addressing response to traffic accidents happened in a smart environment. The idea behind the approach is to self-organize resources of the environment according to the state of the situation caused by the accident. The resources self-organize a collaborative network that comprises physical devices, software services, organizations, and persons. The purpose of the resources is to undertake joint actions for accident response. The disaster response system intended for operating in smart environments has a service-oriented architecture. Some of Web-services making up the architecture are intended to model the accident situations; others model resource functionalities or bear supporting functions. Web-services that model resource functionalities are aligned against the disaster management ontology. This alignment ensures semantic interoperability of the heterogeneous resources. The alignment operation is supported by a tool that identifies similar concepts in the ontology and Web-service descriptions using a machine-readable dictionary. Response to the traffic accident illustrates main ideas described in the paper.
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Daniel Stein, Barbara Krausz, Jobst Löffler, Robin Marterer, Rolf Bardeli, Jochen Schwenninger, et al. (2012). Enriching an intelligent resource management system with automatic event recognition. 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: Event recognition systems have high potential to support crisis management and emergency response. Given the vast amount of possible input channels, automatic processing of raw data is crucial. In this paper, we describe several components integrated in an overall intelligent resource management system, namely abnormal event detection in audio and video material, as well as automatic speech recognition within a public safety network. We elaborate on the challenges expected from real life data and the solutions that we applied. The overall system, based on Event-Driven Service-Oriented Architecture, has been implemented and partly integrated into the end users' infrastructures. The system is continuously running since almost two years, collecting data for research purposes. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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