Abstract: This paper presents a crisis response simulation model architecture combining a discrete-event simulation (DES) environment for a crisis scenario with an agent-based model of the response organization. In multi-agent systems (MAS) as a computational organization, agents are modeled and implemented separately from the environmental model. We follow this perspective and submit an architecture in which the environment is modeled as a discreteevent simulation, and the crisis response agents are modeled as a multi-agent system. The simultaneous integration and separation of both models allows for independent modifications of the response organization and the scenario, resulting in a testbed that allows testing different organizations to respond to the same scenario or different emergencies for the same organization. It also provides a high-level architecture suggesting the way in which DES and MAS can be combined into a single simulation in a simple way.

Abstract: This paper describes the basic communication analysis performed in a research project with an ambition to investigate the impact of geographical information system (GIS) on crisis management organizations. The goal is to compare the communication between command and control teams that have access to a GIS with geographical position information (GPS) capability in its command post with teams that only have access to paper maps. The method used is controlled experiments using the C3Fire micro-world. A total of 108 professionals, forming 18 teams, participated in the study. The participating professionals were members of Swedish municipal crisis management organizations. The result shows that the communication pattern connected to giving orders have a different distribution depending on if the teams used GIS or paper maps. The result also shows that the communication volume is reduced if the teams use GIS.

Abstract: In case of a mass-casualty incident, e.g. due to a disaster, a high number of patients need medical care within a short time frame and often, a significant percentage must be transported to a hospital or another suitable care facility. Then, different mass transportation modes (e.g., busses, ships or trains) may be used to quickly transport patients to available medical treatment centres outside of the disaster area. Within the SimPaTrans project, we develop a simulation-based decision support system for locating, sizing and analysing different modes of transport in order to prepare for mass-casualty incidents in Germany. In this paper, we present the outline of the tool as well as a first optimisation use case for transportation patients within the city of Karlsruhe, Germany

Abstract: This paper describes work-in-progress regarding STORMI, an agent-based simulation environment for evaluating the response by the emergency services to hypothetical major incidents in the UK. At present, STORMI consists of two main components: a Scenario Designer and a Simulator. The Scenario Designer enables the setting up of a hypothetical multi-site mass casualty incident anywhere in the UK, along with the resources which may be considered for responding to it. This provides input to the Simulator, which through its Multiple Program Multiple Data architecture, models the agents and their environment at a higher level of detail inside incident sites than it does outside, thus focusing attention on the areas of most interest. Furthermore, the multiple programs of the Simulator execute concurrently, thus targeting multi-core processors. © 2012 ISCRAM.

Abstract: This review addresses current educational and research efforts in disaster medical education (DME) in the United States. Since the events of 9/11, DME has received greater attention. However substantial problems remain in terms of ensuring that large numbers of medical students and residents are exposed to high quality DME – not only Emergency Medicine residents. Barriers to widespread adoption of DME include lack of performance metrics, disagreement task areas, and lack of emphasis on physician leadership. Further, such efforts must ensure retention of key information over periods that are disaster free; utilize objective training metrics that will allow for an evidence base to form; and develop low cost, scalable training approaches that offer greater fidelity to the disaster environment than classroom based instruction. To improve the state of the art, we argue that DME research must move toward a translational science model that integrates important advances in basic information science into application that improve the clinical performance of frontline medical staff who are called on to respond to individual and community needs in the aftermath of disaster. Mid-fidelity, team-in-the-loop simulations developed for disaster manager training may provide an avenue toward improved DME by exposing medical students to scenarios that fundamentally challenge their assumptions in real-time game play. This can be accomplished with lower costs and greater scalability than live exercise or mock-up training approaches. © 2012 ISCRAM.

Abstract: Planning processes, including simulations and games, can help emergency workers to prepare for the unexpected. Rehearsal using software based gaming techniques not only helps planning, but is also cost effective. Computer-based groupware systems can make experts available regardless of location. A new approach, Virtual Simulation (VS), uses networking to create a flexible learning and planning environment. To date two prototype trials of this approach have been implemented at NJIT with major revamps between each one. This paper gives the results of the latest prototype trial, a simulation of attacks on university computer centers. The insights from this second prototype trial of virtual simulation will help us to improve the design and approach for future offerings.

Abstract: Mitigating, detecting, evaluating, responding and recovering from crises are highly complex tasks that involve many decision makers (agents). As a consequence using collaborative methods that allow the cooperation among these agents during the crisis management strategy and procedures design is of significant importance. Group Model Building (GMB) is a robust collaborative methodology that has been successfully used for modelling several complex socio-technical problems, where different agents may have diverse perspectives or interests in the problem under analysis. Through the development of a series of exercises, GMB allows the integration of these initially fragmented perspectives. Modellers translate the knowledge elicited from experts during GMB workshops into simulation models that reproduce the behaviour of the problem. This paper presents the use and adaptation of the GMB methodology in a research project about large pan European crises due to outages in the electricity sector.

Abstract: This paper presents a unique view of modeling the diffusion of warnings in social networks where the network structure may change over time. Since the characteristics and actions of people in a community have significant influence on the flow of information through a network, we present an axiomatic framework for modeling the diffusion process through the concept of trust. This ongoing work provides a micro level view of the behavior of individuals and groups in a community. Preliminary experiments were made to explore how model parameters such as trust and the social network structure affect warning message belief and evacuation.

Abstract: Simulation and serious games (SSG) are advocated as promising technologies supporting training in emergency management (EM). Based on an investigation of SSG use for fire fighter training in nine countries, this paper is examining key elements and success factors that can counteract potential obstacles and challenges of SSG implementation. Data comes from interviews and observations with users and responsible managers from user organizations. By contrasting the different incentives and views regarding the SSG use, this paper contributes to a better understanding of SSG integration into organizational practices. Only by connecting the local, organizational strategies and user requirements with technical values and concrete examples can the SSG usage be experienced as successful. This connection requirement is by far not obvious since values are formulated differently by the main stakeholders and the benefits at one organization are not necessarily the same as at another. In this context, the added values of SSG solutions need to be more explicitly connected to the goals of traditional classroom and live training.

Abstract: Operational predictive and risk modelling of landscape-scale hazards such as floods and fires requires rapid processing of geospatial data, fast model execution and efficient data delivery. However, geospatial data sets required for hazard prediction are usually large, in a variety of different formats and usually require a complex pre-processing toolchain. In this paper we present an overview of the Geostack framework, which has been specifically designed for this task using a newly developed software library. The platform aims to provide a unified interface for spatial and temporal data sets, deliver rapid processing through OpenCL and integrate with web APIs or external graphical user interface systems to display and deliver results. We provide examples of hazard and risk use cases, particularly Spark, a Geostack based system for predicting the spread of wildfires. The framework is open-source and freely available to end users and practitioners in the hazard and geospatial space.

Abstract: We argue that current technology for crisis training does not explicitly cater well enough for managing training
objectives and skill building metrics throughout the lifespan of training. We suggest how successful crisis training
may be enabled by interoperating next-generation exercise management tools with mixed-reality simulations. We
propose an architecture consisting of (1) a front-end in which training objectives, essential skills, corresponding
events and metrics can be declared, (2) a back-end consisting of simulations that implement the events and metrics
and (3) a middleware which transfers information between the front-end and back-end to enable semi-automatic
composition of the simulations and performance analysis. The purpose of this architecture is to facilitate learning
through the principles of deliberate practice. We indicate where emerging technologies are necessary to achieve this.

Abstract: When disasters destroy critical communication infrastructure, smartphone-based Delay-Tolerant Networks (DTNs) can provide basic communication for civilians. Although field tests have shown the practicability of such systems, real-world experiments are expensive and hardly repeatable. Simulations are therefore required for the design and extensive evaluation of novel DTN protocols, but meaningful assertions require realistic mobility models for civilians. In this paper, trace files from a large-scale disaster field test are analyzed to identify typical human behavior patterns in a disaster area. Based on this, we derive a novel civilian disaster mobility model that incorporates identified behaviors such as group-based movement and clustering around points-of-interests such as hospitals and shelters. We evaluate the impact of mobility on DTN communication performance by comparing our model with other established mobility models as well as the trace file dataset in a simulative evaluation based on the field test scenario. In general, our mobility model leads to a more realistic assessment of DTN communication performance compared to other mobility models.

Abstract: This paper introduces Social Coverage Maps (SCM) as a visual representation of the societal impact of localized disruptions in urban areas. Incited by the recent deliberate interruption of wireless services for the purpose of crowd control in San Francisco, we focus on the use of SCMs for representing emergent effects of electronic warfare. As a prequel we discuss maps and other visualizations as representations of human behaviour and relations. The SCM concept is defined and grounded in simulation-based parameters. Using an experimental scenario based on cell phone jamming in a city we show how SCMs are generated using an agent-based population simulator. We find that Social Coverage Maps could become a useful tool for analysing emergent effects of actions and events including electronic warfare, roadblocks, smoke, teargas, chemical and radioactive contamination with applications in operational and emergency planning as well as crisis management.