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Gary Eifried. (2005). A model describing a response to a terrorism incident. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 125–127). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Understanding how the response to an incident of terrorism involving a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) transpires is essential to understanding the necessary flow of information within that response. A model describing incident response functions overlaid on a realistic timeline is presented.
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Marcel Van Berlo, Richelle Van Rijk, & Eric F. T. Buiël. (2005). A PC-based virtual environment for training team decision-making in high-risk situations. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 195–200). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Live team training of firefighters has several disadvantages. Firstly, it is costly because many team members and training staff are involved. Secondly, not all team members have the same competency level, and some individuals may just not be ready to train in a team context. Thirdly, live training in high-risk situations is difficult and dangerous. Consequently, critical situations can not be trained adequately. Following a scenario-based and a rapid prototyping approach, we are designing and developing a pc-based virtual training environment to train individual firefighters in making decisions in a team context operating in high-risk situations. This individual training program can better prepare the firefighters for live training, enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of these team-training exercises. In this paper we describe the training-method, we outline how this is technologically implemented and discuss how we are planning to test the prototype.
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Chris Murphy, Doug Phair, & Courtney Aquilina. (2005). A prototype multi-modal decision support architecture. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 135–137). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: This paper presents the design of a decision support tool for crisis response applications. We propose a system to replace emergency contact calling trees with a multi-modal personnel contact architecture. This architecture consists of a centralized notification framework using existing enterprise e-mail, Web site, instant messaging, and voice over IP (VOIP) infrastructure. Response and audit data is collected and stored for analysis, and can be reviewed using a variety of methods in real time. Details of our prototype implementation are discussed. Specifically, we address multi-modal communication techniques and their benefits, enterprise deployment challenges, and opportunities for further research.
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Ronja Addams-Moring, Markku Kekkonen, & Shushan Zhao. (2005). A simple taxonomy for mobile emergency announcement systems. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 309–316). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Mobile communications networks and devices can be and have been used by authorities to warn and instruct the general public during crises. However, our understanding of how mobile technologies could best be used for emergency announcements (public warnings) is currently limited. To clarify one part of this field of study, we define and describe a simple taxonomy for mobile emergency announcements (MEA) systems. The taxonomy has three categories: preplanned MEA systems, ad-hoc MEA systems and semi ad-hoc MEA systems. Differences in functional, security and other requirements were found between MEA systems belonging to different taxonomy categories, both concerning how each category of MEA systems can meet the common requirements, and concerning which requirements are the most important for each category of MEA systems. The differences between the categories were especially clear for these requirements: the understandability and credibility of the MEAs and the security of a MEA system.
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Maarten Van Someren, Niels Netten, Vanessa Evers, Henriette Cramer, Robert De Hoog, & Guido Bruinsma. (2005). A trainable information distribution system to support crisis management. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 203–206). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Crisis response and management involve multiple collaborative actors who execute tasks in a dynamic setting. For the effectiveness of collaboration and crisis fighting it is essential that all actors have access to relevant information necessary for their tasks. Managing the information flow, i.e. presenting the right information to the right person at the right time, is of great importance. However, the complexity of a crisis event makes it very difficult to keep an overview of all ongoing activities and information flow within the entire crisis environment. In this paper we address the problem of selecting and distributing information to users as a function of their characteristics, tasks and the state of their workflows in a collaborative setting. In particular, we propose a trainable system for information distribution that will be able to support the dynamic nature of collaborative processes and provide users with task-relevant information. We expect that this will reduce problems due to information overload and will lead to more effective collaboration between all actors in the crisis management environment.
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Mark F. Taylor, & Russell J. Graves. (2005). Adaptive risk-readiness decision support for infrastructure protection. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 161–169). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: This paper presents a system concept for integrating the mass of information critical to infrastructure protection operations. Our main focus and contribution lies in (1) coupling risk assessments into a dynamic decision support process, and (2) providing a collaboration and visualization decision support interface for representing complex and changing infrastructure protection information. The system concept supports adaptive decision making based upon dynamic risk and readiness assessments. Users benefit from having a more comprehensive and up-to-date risk picture on which to base their judgments.
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Erman Coskun, & Jessica Hoey. (2005). Airport security complexity: Problems with the information system components. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 61–66). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Airport security is a very relevant, diverse, and complex system in any country. September 11th made this issue an increasing concern for almost every country in the world. Prior to September 11th the media, watchdog groups, and commissions established by the United States Congress, were adamant that airport security had major flaws. Currently many countries are revamping their airport security systems. The U.S. and other governments are implementing many new systems and procedures. There are numerous potential pitfalls with this implementation process and these new systems will have impacts on the public. For example, these systems could reduce freedom, still be flawed, and affect the economy. The primary intents of this paper are to classify airport security as a complex large-scale safety-critical system, to discuss what make airports so complex, describe the information systems that are involved with such systems, and discuss the impacts on the people involved.
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Adriaan ter Mors, Jeroen M. Valk, & Cees Witteveen. (2005). An event-based task framework for disaster planning and decision support. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 151–153). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Because of the apparent ineffectiveness of current disaster plans, we focus our research on modeling emergency response activities. If we can capture the crucial concepts of emergency response in a mathematical framework and apply this framework to construct disaster plans, then we pave the way for the development of automated decisions support systems for emergency response.
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Catherine Lowry Campbell, Bartel A. Van De Walle, & Fadi P. Deek. (2005). Asynchronous negotiation and collaboration of software requirements for an emergency response information system: An empirical investigation. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 5–11). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Negotiation and collaboration during the requirements stage of the software engineering process are fundamental to developing successful software products. Groups of stakeholders work together to come to agreement on the most important requirements to be sent forward for implementation. Distributed software engineering is becoming the norm rather than the exception, yet the requirements elicitation and definition process is normally conducted face to face. This paper describes an empirical study to investigate the relationship between structured task and specified negotiation steps within an asynchronous environment. The results reveal that these structures can have a positive impact on solution quality but a negative impact on process satisfaction, although following a negotiation sequence and task structure can help asynchronous groups come to agreement faster. Details of the experimental procedures, statistical analysis, and discussion of the results of the experiment are presented, as are suggestions for improving this work and a plan for future research.
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Mark Wood. (2005). Cell@lert, for government-to-citizen mass communications in emergencies; 'It's about time'. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 323–326). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Cell Broadcasting has been an existing feature of GSM, UMTS, CDMA and PDC for many years, which however is rarely used. It has three attributes that make it very good for Government to Citizen mass communications in emergencies. 1) It uses reserved capacity for this feature; traffic does not take its bandwidth. Therefore it works even if the cellular system is in full overload, as it always is during disasters. 2) It can place millions of text messages on mobile phone within seconds, and is scalable to any size of broadcast including international scale without any additional time penalty. Most mobile phones have the capability now, so there is no need to build more infrastructures or replace phones. 3) By selecting the individual cells to be used, specific areas can be targeted with different messages, so that people in one area can be asked to evacuate, while in another they can be advised to stay. The government of Holland is the first in the world to adopt the technology, which will be operational by May 2005.
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Bogdan Tatomir, & Leon J.M. Rothkrantz. (2005). Crisis management using mobile ad-hoc wireless networks. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 147–149). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: In this paper we describe a disaster management system. It is assumed that each individual in the field is equipped with a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and that can communicate with other PDAs in the vicinity. Together the PDAs form an ad-hoc network. Users can enter their own observations to the PDA, like the position of victims, or a description of the current situation at particular location (e.g. smoke, emergency exits, traffic congestion). This information is entered in a special iconic language. Reversibly, the PDAs inform the users on the overall current situation of the crisis. In order to come to a shared view of the world, the knowledge that is present in the network has to be shared and fused. The proposed way to communicate is via a shared blackboard. This approach facilitates communication in a time and place independent way.
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Murray Turoff, Michael J. Chumer, Xiang Yao, Joseph Konopka, & Bartel A. Van De Walle. (2005). Crisis planning via scenario development gaming. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 207–212). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: This paper introduces a particular approach to improving the planning process in emergency preparedness. This involves the specification of a competitive game to have opposing defense and offense teams develop and improve their respective plans for defense and offense.
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Ola Leifler, & Johan Jenvald. (2005). Critique and visualization as decision support for mass-casualty emergency management. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 155–159). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Emergency management in highly dynamic situations consists of exploring options to solve a planning problem. This task can be supported through the use of visual cues that are based on domain knowledge of the current domain. We present an approach to use visualization of critical constraints in timelines and hierarchical views as decision support in mass-casualty emergency situations.
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Rene Windhouwer, Gerdien A. Klunder, & F.M. Sanders. (2005). Decision support system emergency planning, creating evacuation strategies in the event of flooding. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 171–180). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: The Decision Support System (DSS) Emergency Planning is designed for use in the event of sea or river flooding. It makes accessible all the information related to the decision whether to evacuate an area. An important factor in this decision is the time required for the evacuation. The model used by the DSS Emergency Planning system to estimate the time required employs a strategy that prevents congestion on the road network in the area at risk. The use of the DSS Emergency Planning system during the proactive and prevention phases enables disaster containment organisations to prepare better for a flood situation. Moreover, all relevant information is saved and is therefore available for the post-disaster evaluation. The DSS Emergency Planning system can play a significant role in ensuring that the evacuation of an area at risk goes according to plan. In the future the DSS Emergency Planning system can also be used to evacuate people in the event of a nuclear, natural fire or extreme weather disaster.
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Wolfgang Raskob, Valentin Bertsch, Jutta Geldermann., Sandra Baig, & Florian Gering. (2005). Demands to and experience with the decision support system rodos for off-site emergency management in the decision making process in Germany. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 269–278). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Emergency situations, man-made as well as natural, can differ considerably. However, they share the characteristic of sudden onset, involve complex decisions and necessitate a coherent and effective emergency management. In the event of a nuclear or radiological accident in Europe, the real-time on-line decision support system RODOS provides support from the early phase through to the medium and long-term phases. This paper describes the demands to a Decision Support System from a user-centred view as well as experiences gained from conducting moderated decision making workshops based on a hypothetical accident scenario focusing on the evaluation of long-term countermeasures using the simulation capabilities of the RODOS system and its recently integrated evaluation component Web-HIPRE, a tool for multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA).
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Madhavi M. Chakrabarty, & David Mendonça. (2005). Design considerations for information systems to support critical infrastructure management. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 13–18). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: This paper develops a set of design considerations for information systems to support the management of interdependent critical infrastructure systems. Constraints on how these systems are managed are oriented along technical, political and organizational dimensions, though objectives along these dimensions may conflict and thus be difficult to satisfy. This paper harnesses methodologies from software engineering and cognitive science in order to specify opportunities for using information systems to support human-centered management of critical infrastructure systems. The particular focus of this work is on developing information systems to support visualization and visual problem solving. Progress to date is discussed in terms of an ongoing research project which uses as a test-bed data associated with lower Manhattan (New York, USA).
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Yan, S. (2005). Design of enterprise crisis predicting system based on cluster and outlier data mining. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 143–145). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: In order to solve such problems as half-structured and non-structured data analysis in enterprise crisis predicting system, a predicting system based on cluster and outlier data mining is put forward. The system organization, frame construction, function and working principles are illustrated. And the working process is showed by an example of cheat predicting. The experimental results show that this method is efficient and it is a new way to solve such problems.
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Hussain Aziz Saleh. (2005). Dynamic optimisation of the use of space technology for rapid disaster response and management. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 139–141). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Modern space and information technologies provide valuable tools for the solution of many real-world problems in fields of managing effects of natural and man-made disasters, geomatic engineering, etc. Therefore, the need to develop and optimise the use of these technologies in an efficient manner is necessary for providing reliable solutions. This paper aims to develop powerful optimisation algorithms extending current highly successful ideas of artificial intelligence for developing of the disaster warning network which is a system of satellites and ground stations for providing real time early warning of the impact of the disaster and minimise its effects (e.g., earthquakes, landslides, floods, volcanoes, etc). Such intelligent algorithms can provide a degree of functionality and flexibility suitable both for constructing high-accuracy models and in monitoring their behaviour in real time.
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Max Wyss. (2005). Earthquake loss estimates applied in real time and to megacity risk assessment. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 297–299). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Real time loss estimates within one to two hours after major earthquakes are becoming useful for disaster managers and rescue teams to respond rapidly and at an optimal level. Tests show that the accuracy is low, but major disasters can be reliably distinguished from inconsequential earthquakes. Many technical and organizational aspects of these estimates can and should be improved. An analysis of what magnitude of disaster is likely to occur, if a major earthquake should occur near a megacity in a developing country shows that much work needs to be done to mitigate the risk, and that the global community is ill prepared to deal with such large disasters.
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Siegfried Streufert. (2005). Emergency decision making and metacomplexity. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 67–73). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: It is important to understand the cognitive processes underlying emergency decision-making. Cognitive/behavioral complexity theory has successfully predicted human decision making characteristics on a number of dimensions and for a variety of settings. Moreover, theory based training technologies have been successful. The advent of meta-complexity theory as well as the increased stressor levels generated by terrorism and other contemporary challenges, however, require that we review and extend theoretical predictions for decision processes. This paper provides a series of meta-complexity based predictions about the impact of stressor events upon nine primary decision making areas that vary from simpler trough highly complex thought and action processes.
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George N. Kelly. (2005). Emergency management in Europe – Contribution of euratom research. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 261–267). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: This paper summarises the contribution of EURATOM research to off-site emergency management in Europe over the past two decades. Effort initially focused on the development of methods and software that could be used to underpin the nature and extent of emergency management arrangements and policy. With time, and partially in response to accidents at TMI and Chernobyl, effort shifted to the development of a comprehensive decision support system that could find broad use in real time across Europe in order to better inform decisions on emergency management. The deployment of the developed system across Europe, largely so far at a pre-operational level, is described together with the opportunities this offers for more coherent response to any accident that may in future affect Europe and for better use of scarce resources, both human and otherwise. Indications are given of where further effort or initiatives should be directed with a view to ensuring that the major research achievements are fully and effectively exploited.
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John S. Park Jr., & David Waxman. (2005). Enabling cross-organization interoperability through dynamic directory integration. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 83–88). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Dynamic Team Management for Cross-organization Collaboration was developed by IBM, in cooperation with the U. S. Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and MITRE (a federally funded research and development organization), to support participating organizations in the U.S. Homeland Security/Homeland Defense Command and Control Advance Concept Technology Demonstration (HLS/D C2 ACTD). Dynamic Team Management includes finding and accessing information about resources (people) with whom you need to communicate and collaborate on a mission or task. Used in conjunction with collaboration tools and other applications, DTM supports constructing cross-organization teams of individuals to address particular missions or tasks, based on emerging needs. DTM demonstrates approaches to overcoming many of the challenges of building the best teams for each mission/task, accommodating information sharing preferences of participating organizations, directory integration automation, dynamically scaling to meet cross-organization communication and collaboration requirements, and achieving organizational interoperability.
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Jan Maarten Schraagen, Aletta Eikelboom, Kees Van Dongen, & Guido Te Brake. (2005). Experimental evaluation of a critical thinking tool to support decision making in crisis situations. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 181–189). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Building up proper situation awareness is one of the most difficult tasks in the beginning stages of large-scale accidents. As ambiguous information about the events becomes available, decision makers are often tempted to quickly choose a particular story to explain the events. Subsequent information that contradicts the initial story may easily be discarded and cognitive tunnel vision takes over. Our approach, as part of the COMBINED Systems project, is to prevent tunnel vision by providing critical thinking support. In a laboratory experiment with 60 participants, we tested this hypothesis by comparing the Critical Thinking tool with a 'no support' control condition and a 'minimal support' condition. Participants acted as crisis managers determining the likely cause of an accident based on different pieces of information. The results show a positive impact of the tool on both the decision making process and decision making effectiveness.
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Mark Hoogendoorn, Catholijn M. Jonker, Viara Popova, Alexei Sharpanskykh, & Lai Xu. (2005). Formal modelling and comparing of disaster plans. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 97–100). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: Every municipality in The Netherlands has its own disaster plan. A disaster plan contains the blueprint of how to handle incidents in the municipality with the aim of preventing incidents to grow into disasters. Given that each municipality has its own organisations, enterprises, infrastructure, and general layout, the disaster plans also differ. On the other hand, the disaster plans have a lot in common. Some municipalities use a common starting point, others develop their own disaster plan from scratch. In this paper two independently developed disaster plan are compared using formal modelling techniques. The analysis reveals that some interesting differences do not stem from a difference in the makings of the municipality. These differences touch the fundamentals of the communication during incident management, and might well have a critical impact in dealing with pending disasters.
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Dennis J. King. (2005). Humanitarian knowledge management. In B. C. B. Van de Walle (Ed.), Proceedings of ISCRAM 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 291–295). Brussels: Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium.
Abstract: International complex humanitarian emergencies present numerous challenges to aid organizations trying to manage data, information and knowledge about the situation or event. Humanitarian aid organizations should be able to identify what critical information they need, where to find it, what are the major gaps, and how best to share, present and disseminate this information. These challenges can be addressed through improved knowledge management. The faster and more efficiently humanitarian aid organizations are able to identify, collect, distill, analyze and manage the vast corpus of what they need to know, the more effectively they can plan for and respond to natural disasters and complex emergencies and the more lives are potentially saved.
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