Andreas Lotter, Philipp John, Patricia Schütte, Florian Brauner, & Frank Fiedrich. (2020). Field Observation of Parallel Working Coordination Groups and Command and Control Centres to Understand and Improve Inter-organizational Information Management – A Methodical Approach. 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. 303–314). Blacksburg, VA (USA): Virginia Tech.
Abstract: In emergency response, parallel working coordination groups and command and control centres are responsible to deal with complex events. A well-functioning exchange of information between organizations, officials and these coordination groups is the basis for an efficient risk management. This paper describes a methodical ap-proach for field observation to understand and improve the inter-organizational information management be-tween the involved partners. The method was tested within a practical approach and possible occurring problems during the observation were identified and solutions for these problems are provided.
|
Fredrik Bergstrand. (2011). Sensemaking in command centre contexts. 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: This paper presents descriptive accounts from the work conducted at a Swedish fire and rescue service's command centre during a high risk protest. Sensemaking has been applied as a theoretical lens on the empirical data. Two specific episodes has been selected to demonstrate how the process of sensemaking is manifested in the context of the command centre. The paper also includes implications for design suggesting how information systems for this context should be designed to better support sensemaking.
|
Tom De Groeve, Zsofia Kugler, & G. Robert Brakenridge. (2007). Near real time flood alerting for the global disaster alert and coordination system. 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. 33–39). Delft: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: A new flood monitoring module is in development for the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS). GDACS is an information system designed to assist humanitarian responders with their decisions in the early onset after a disaster. It provides near-real time flood alerts with an initial estimate of the consequences based on computer models. Subsequently, the system gathers information in an automated way from relevant information sources such as international media, mapping and scientific organizations. The novel flood detection methodology is based on daily AMSR-E passive microwave measurement of 2500 flood prone sites on 1435 rivers in 132 countries. Alert thresholds are determined from the time series of the remote observations and these are validated using available flood archives (from 2002 to present). Preliminary results indicate a match of 47% between detected floods and flood archives. Individual tuning of thresholds per site should improve this result.
|
Siska Fitrianie, Zhenke Yang, & Leon J.M. Rothkrantz. (2008). Developing concept-based user interface using icons for reporting observations. In B. V. de W. F. Fiedrich (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2008 – 5th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 394–405). Washington, DC: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: In recent years, we have developed a visual communication interface for reporting observations in which messages can be constructed using a spatial arrangement of icons. Each icon on the interface represents a concept or idea. This paper reports about research on a visual language interface, which allows users to create structured messages of icon strings simultaneously in a two-dimensional parallel and spatial configuration. The developed system provides drawing tools and predefined sets of icons that support a free and natural way to sketch and describe crisis situations. A coherent and context dependent interpretation of the icon configuration can be constructed by the employment of ontology. In addition, the interface is also able to convert the interpretation into crisis scenarios as feedback to the user on his/her input.
|
Klaus Granica, Thomas Nagler, Markus M. Eisl, Mathias Schardt, & Helmut Rott. (2005). Satellite remote sensing data for an alpine related disaster management GIS. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 221–232). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Natural disasters are an age-old problem that occur regularly in alpine regions, posing a major threat to the safety of settlements and transport routes. Within the project “Safety of Alpine Routes – Application of Earth Observation Combined with GIS (Hannibal)”, financed by the Ministry of Transport and Innovation, information relevant for disaster management has been extracted from satellite remote sensing and integrated into a newly developed GIS based Decision Support System (DSS). Some of the required map information were inferred from ERS- or from SPOT5- and QUICKBIRD satellites, others were taken from conventional data sources such as maps or Digital Terrain Models.
|
Daniel Hahn. (2007). Non-restrictive linking in wireless sensor networks for industrial risk 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. 605–609). Delft: Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, ISCRAM.
Abstract: The OSIRIS project addresses the disaster management workflow in the phases of risk monitoring and crisis management. Risk monitoring allows the continuous observation of endangered areas combined with sensor deployment strategies. The crisis management focuses on particular events and the support by sensor networks. Four complementary live demonstrations will validate the OSIRIS approach. These demonstrations include water contamination, air pollution, south European forest fire, and industrial risk monitoring. This paper focuses on the latter scenario: the industrial risk monitoring. This scenario offers the special opportunity to demonstrate the relevance of OSIRIS by covering all the aspects of monitoring, preparation and response phases of both environmental risk and crisis management. The approach focuses on non-restrictive linking in a wireless sensor network in order to facilitate the addition and removal of nodes providing open interaction primitives allowing the comfortable integration, exclusion, and modification. A management layer with an event-triggered and service-based middleware is proposed. A live lab with real fire is illustrated.
|
Landsberg, L., Gleibs, T., & Mudimu, O. A. (2023). Design of a Systems Theory Approach for the Evaluation of C2-Systems. In Jaziar Radianti, Ioannis Dokas, Nicolas Lalone, & Deepak Khazanchi (Eds.), Proceedings of the 20th International ISCRAM Conference (pp. 692–700). Omaha, USA: University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Abstract: The course of large-scale incidents as well as disasters can reveal weaknesses in command and control (C2) systems, which make adjustments necessary. Also, new technologies may require C2-systems to be adapted to achieve their full potential for improving incident command. This paper deals with an approach to enable the comparison and evaluation of different C2-systems or their adaptations in order to find the best possible customizations for C2-systems. To this purpose, systems theory is used to unify the approaches of different research disciplines. Within the C2-system boundaries, distinctions were made to represent three different levels of evaluation: “Physical Characteristics”, “Structures and Processes” as well as “C2-system-effectiveness”. During the implementation of the evaluation methods from the different research disciplines into the systems theory approach, it became apparent that the comprehensive approach is desirable, but that broad knowledge and expertise is necessary, especially at the highest evaluation level “C2-system-effectiveness”.
|
Willem J. Muhren, & Bartel A. Van De Walle. (2009). Sensemaking and information management in humanitarian disaster response: Observations from the TRIPLEX exercise. 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: The United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) system is designed to assist the United Nations in providing information during the first phase of a sudden-onset emergency and in the coordination of incoming international relief at the site of the emergency. In the immediate aftermath of such an emergency, the UNDAC team will set up an On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC) from where the operational activities of the humanitarian organizations responding to the emergency are coordinated. Information management is a key aspect in this phase as the information gathering, processing, and disseminating activities will determine the timeliness and appropriateness of the response by the international humanitarian community. Through participatory observation in the international humanitarian “TRIPLEX” exercise we explore how information managers in the OSOCC make sense of the disaster, how the immediate needs are assessed, and discuss how information systems could improve Sensemaking in these activities.
|
Paola Pagliara, Angela Corina, Alessandro Burastero, Paolo Campanella, Luca Ferraris, Marina Morando, et al. (2011). Dewetra, coping with emergencies. 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: Dealing with multi-risk assessment needs reliable forecasting and warning systems able both to rapidly make available observational data and to make accessible forecast tools to the Decision Makers. In this paper we present Dewetra, a real-time integrated system for risk forecasting, monitoring and prevention. We provide a description of its features and examples of its operational use at the Italian Prime Minister Office – National Department for Civil Protection- Centro Funzionale Centrale. In particular is presented its application to flood risk management and to wild fire risk management.
|
Pauline Tobergte, Alena Knispel, Lennart Landsberg, & Ompe Aimé Mudimu. (2022). Evaluation of Tabletop Exercises in Emergency Response Research and Application in the Research Project SORTIE. In Rob Grace, & Hossein Baharmand (Eds.), ISCRAM 2022 Conference Proceedings – 19th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 415–427). Tarbes, France.
Abstract: This paper presents the fields of application of the tabletop exercise in emergency response by explaining the method in emergency response research. The authors illustrate the tabletop exercise of the Institute for Rescue Engineering and Civil Protection (IRG) of the TH Köln in a research project on Sensor Systems for Localization of Trapped Victims in Collapsed Infrastructure (acronym: SORTIE) as an application example. Subsequently, the quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods used generally and specifically for the tabletop exercise of the research project SORTIE are considered, and the technical implementation is explained. The evaluation method used in the tabletop exercise consists of three sub-areas (participant survey; exercise observation; photo, video and audio recordings). Further, the analysis of the evaluation using statistical tools is explained. Finally, this paper refers to possible sources of error in the evaluation of tabletop exercises, such as exercise artificiality and subjectivity of the exercise observers.
|
Roberto Ferreira Júnior, Paulo Victor R. de Carvalho, Salman Nazir, José Orlando Gomes, & Gilbert Jacob Huber. (2016). Assessment Team Decision-Making: One Way to Assess the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Based on Observation. In A. Tapia, P. Antunes, V.A. Bañuls, K. Moore, & J. Porto (Eds.), ISCRAM 2016 Conference Proceedings ? 13th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Abstract: Decision-making has been a subject actively investigated in several areas of knowledge such as Philosophy, Economics, Psychology, Computer Science, among others. This paper explores the potential opportunities offered by two methodologies to assess the team decision-making at the end of a simulated exercise (training). We present a case study showing how to measure the team decision-making combining both methodologies to assess a team of three experienced Officers from the Military Fire Brigade of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The simulated exercise was carried out within the Integrated Center of Command and Control of Rio de Janeiro. We intend this study provide a pathway that can be helpful in reducing the subjectivity generated during the observation of the team decision-making in Emergency Management environments.
|
Milica Stojmenovic, Cathy Dudek, Patrick Noonan, Bruce Tsuji, Devjani Sen, & Gitte Lindgaard. (2011). Identifying user requirements for a CBRNE management system: A comparison of data analysis methods. 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: The purpose of this paper was to identify an effective user-requirements data analysis method for informing the design of a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) management decision support system. Data were collected from a large simulation involving medical, police, hazmat/firefighters and subjected to three different kinds of analysis methods: Social Network Analysis, Content Analysis, and Observational Analysis. While all three methods yielded valuable information, the observational method was by far the best for the present purpose.
|