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Mikael Asplund, Trishan R. De Lanerolle, Christopher Fei, Prasanna Gautam, Ralph A. Morelli, Simin Nadjm-Tehrani, et al. (2010). Wireless ad hoc dissemination for search and 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: In search and rescue scenarios local information on victims and other finds needs to be disseminated rapidly to other rescue workers and team leaders. However, post disaster scenarios may imply the collapse of information infrastructure including cellular communication and Internet connectivity. Even if we consider wireless ad hoc communication as a means of information dissemination we should count on frequent loss of connectivity in the network due to unpredictable mobility and sparse network topologies. In this paper we present the realization of an existing manycast protocol (random walk gossip) on commodity handheld devices running the Android platform. This communication mode is used to demonstrate the potential for distributed information dissemination on victims and finds. The application layer is an adaptation of an existing surveying information tool (POSIT) which is now fully decentralized and relies on text communication to achieve energy efficiency.
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Dirk Bradler, Benjamin Schiller, Erwin Aitenbichler, & Nicolas Liebau. (2009). Towards a distributed crisis response communication 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: Reliable communication systems are one of the key success factors for a successful first response mission. Current crisis response communication systems suffer from damaged or destroyed infrastructure or are just overstressed in the case of a large scale disaster. We provide an outline for a distributed communication approach, which fulfills the requirements of first responders. It is based on a layered network topology and current technology used in research projects or already established products. In addition, we propose a testing framework for the evaluation of a crisis response communication system.
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Belinda Braunstein, Troy Trimble, Rajesh Mishra, B.S. Manoj, Leslie Lenert, & Ramesh R. Rao. (2006). Challenges in using of distributed wireless mesh networks in 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. 30–38). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) are formed by self-organized wireless nodes that use multi-hop wireless relaying. These networks are useable in a variety of situations ranging from fixed residential broadband networking based on rooftop wireless mesh nodes to emergency response networks for handling large scale disasters. Quick deployability, minimal configuration, broadband communication, and easiness of reconfigurability are the major characteristics that make WMNs a suitable choice for emergency applications. There exist several open research issues in using such WMNs for emergency response applications. We, in this paper, present a hybrid distributed wireless networking architecture, Extreme Networking System (ENS), and present large set of performance observations collected from a real distributed hybrid wireless mesh network used for supporting a medical emergency response application. We present the traffic behavior observed in our network when a client server medical emergency response application is employed. The performance observations on real-traffic scenarios for emergency response application underlines the need for focusing further research on topology control, reliability, service availability, and distributed management. We observed that though there are several challenges that need to be solved, a WMN is a favorable choice for emergency response networking.
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Hüseyin Can Ünen, Muhammed Sahin, & Amr S. Elnashai. (2011). Assessment of interdependent lifeline networks performance in earthquake disaster management. 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: Several studies and observations regarding past earthquakes such as 1989 Loma Prieta, 1994 Northridge, or 1999 Marmara earthquakes have shown the importance of lifeline systems functionality on response and recovery efforts. The general direction of studies on simulating lifelines seismic performance is towards achieving more accurate models to represent the system behavior. The methodology presented in this paper is a product of research conducted in the Mid-America Earthquake Center. Electric power, potable water, and natural gas networks are modeled as interacting systems where the state of one network is influenced by the state of another network. Interdependent network analysis methodology provides information on operational aspects of lifeline networks in post-seismic conditions in addition to structural damage assessment. These results are achieved by different components of the tool which are classified as structural and topological. The topological component analyzes the post seismic operability of the lifeline networks based on the damage assessment outcome of the structural model. Following an overview of the models, potential utilizations in different phases of disaster management are briefly discussed.
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Paul Klapwijk, & Leon J.M. Rothkrantz. (2006). Topology based infrastructure for crisis situations. In M. T. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2006 – 3rd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 504–512). Newark, NJ: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Recent terrorist attacks and natural disasters have forced humanity to respond to crisis situations effectively as possible. In these situations especially the first hours rescue workers cannot always rely on existing communication infrastructure. Knowledge about the situation is to be gathered to obtain an aggregate world model of the situation. Decisions can be taken based on this world model. The solution we propose consists of using a Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET), in which the nodes are organized in a topology in order to facilitate the necessary functionalities. Communication between the nodes takes place via a distributed blackboard structure. This architecture supports services developed with the purpose of assisting rescue workers. The agents (humans/sensors) in the network provide data as input to the network. Our approach takes care of processing of this input data to provide users with appropriate information and to obtain a shared world model. As a proof of concept we implemented a prototype of our approach on a number of mobile devices and tested the idea in real life.
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L.T. Darryl Diptee, & Scott McKenzie. (2012). The systems thinking approach of beyond-line-of-sight command and control. 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: Effective command and control (C2) is necessary to achieve and maintain superiority in military engagements. C2 is well documented in the literature and is a major focus in the military arena; however, the conventional military network topology is increasingly becoming a liability and ineffective in the new age of asymmetric warfare. The beyond-line-of-sight command and control (BLOS C2) concept is a radical shift towards a seamless joint network topology, which will dramatically increase tactical C2 across military service branches, equipment types, and geographical locations. Though BLOS C2 is still in its testing phase, this paper examines the systems thinking approach of BLOS C2 with respect to layered models, adaptation, and synergy. The implementation of the BLOS C2 “tactical Wi-Fi” concept helps fill a Central Command (CENTCOM) capability gap in support of a Contingency Plan (CONPLAN) that provides Navy Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) with a robust force protection system. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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Kamil Panitzek, Immanuel Schweizer, Dirk Bradler, & Max Mühlhäuser. (2011). City mesh – Resilient first responder communication. 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: Communication between first responders is vital to the success of large scale disaster management. But communication technologies used by first responders today do not scale well due to heterogeneity, point-topoint connections, and centralized communication structures. As the popularity of devices equipped with Wi-Fi grows, the number of access points (APs) in city centers increases as well. This communication infrastructure exists and should be used in city wide disasters as it is readily available in areas with high population density. In this paper, we investigate Wi-Fi access points in 5 major cities deployed in stores, bars, and restaurants. We want to answer the question if these APs can be used as a mesh networking backbone in disaster response. The main contributions of this paper are (i) the surveyed and analyzed public Wi-Fi layout of five major cities and (ii) the connectivity analysis of the city wide network topology.
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Kamil Panitzek, Tobias Bönning, Immanuel Schweizer, Gero Seipel, & Max Mühlhäuser. (2012). Enhancing robustness of first responder communication in urban environments. 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: Communication is crucial for first responders. Crisis management is nearly impossible without good means of communication. Unfortunately the communication technology used by first responders today does not scale well. Also most of the given infrastructure, such as cell towers, might be destroyed. In recent research ad-hoc and peer-to-peer based communication has been proposed to solve the problem of resilient communication. Most mobile devices are equipped with wireless transceivers that make them suitable to participate in ad-hoc networks. But node density might be too small for a connected topology. In this paper we, therefore, discuss the implications of an emergency switch for private wireless routers allowing them to transition to an emergency mode to create a supportive wireless mesh network. To analyze if such a network would result in a resilient topology real data from wireless routers in a city is gathered. We calculate the locations of private and public routers from GPS traces and compare the resulting networks with each other. © 2012 ISCRAM.
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