Abstract: As the geographic scale, operational complexity and frequency of disasters continues coupled with ever-increasing amounts of information related to disaster response activity, the crisis management practitioner and research communities are calling for new methodologies for processing and visually representing disaster information [1]. More specifically, there is a growing body of research focused on how analytical outputs based on remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) such as disaster impact assessments can be formatted into usable information products for crisis management practitioners[2]. © 2012 ISCRAM.

Abstract: Flooding events are more impactful due to climate change, while traditional top-down approaches to flood management give way to new initiatives that consider citizens and communities as active strategic actors. Researchers and practitioners have started to place communities in the centre of creation processes or invite them to co-design digital platforms. However, many citizen science projects re-use well-known technological components without reflecting about how the technology is able to effectively support citizen participation in data generation, including the provision of flexible data storage and exchange. This paper describes a novel digital platform design which adopts cloud services to integrate official and citizen-generated data about urban flooding. It summarises the results of a participatory design process of a digital platform to collect, store and exchange flood-related data, which includes components such as data lakes, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and web and mobile interfaces. This work in progress paper presents insights and lessons learned from using cloud services to enable citizen participation and engage communities with flood monitoring.

Abstract: The generation of resilient learning communities has become a priority for the national government of Costa Rica, recognizing the importance of incorporating a cross-cutting component of risk management in the education sector of the country. However, this process must be accompanied by appropriate access to information to enable decision-making in the field of planning. This prototype seeks to establish itself as an alternative solution to reduce gaps in information in the context of risk reduction in schools.

Abstract: Virtual Communities of Practice (VCoP) refers to groups of people who share a concern about a specific domain or topic and use a virtual environment to share and increase their knowledge and expertise about this domain. This kind of social structure has intrinsic features suitable to support emergency management communities. Nevertheless, the design of specific technological platforms that support both the activity and the practice of the community is not a trivial task, especially in critical domains such as emergency management. This paper presents the inquiry process carried out over one and a half years for the purpose of generating insights about the application of VCoPs within the emergency management context. Based on a case study, a set of findings is presented about the guidelines that should be followed in order to develop suitable technological platforms that support the labor of VCoPs in the emergency management context. © 2012 ISCRAM.

Abstract: Common denominators emerge difficultly in projects bridging science and society or/and across disciplines. Managing crises require inter-organizational learning and citizen involvement, but, often such undertakings lead to bargain resulting in sub-optimal decisions. Building resilience into human communities demands complex projects, which further require good problem definition, starting with agreements on values and knowledge, as basis for further agreements on goals and methods. This paper spreads the Data-Information-Knowledge-Action-Result frame over a 4-level process to generate a DIKAR_process matrix and lattice that allows optimal orientation and coordination towards achieving a set of common denominators and coordinated action protocols. This framework allows sequences and cycles that can be formulated and pursued simultaneously, comparatively and iteratively, within any large, heterogeneous constituency of actors involved in building resilience in local communities. The model is illustrated and discussed in relation to urban sustainability issues and complementary methods like knowledge maps, mental models, social learning and scenarios.

Abstract: Although new technology may benefit rural first responders to help them serve their communities, to date little is known about what communication technology problems rural first responders most need addressed and what future technology they desire. To explore the context of use and communication technology problems and needs of rural first responders, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 63 rural first responders across four disciplines: Communications (Comm) Center & 9-1-1 Services, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Service, and Law Enforcement. Using qualitative data analysis, interview data were sorted into problems and needs categories. Rural first responders' greatest problems were with reliable coverage/connectivity, interoperability, implementation/information technology (IT) infrastructure, and physical ergonomics. Rural first responders' greatest need for new technology was to address their current problems, but they were interested in new technology that leverages real-time technology and location tracking. Implications for researchers and developers of public safety communication technology are discussed.

Abstract: Social media is emerging as a communication tool for successfully managing disasters. However, studies have shown that not all individuals are equally predisposed towards effectively using social media for disaster management. There still exists a big digital divide when it comes to using social media for disaster management. Drawing on situational theory of problem solving, we develop a conceptual model that examines the motivating factors for the underserved communities to use social media for disaster management. We further develop and cross-validate a questionnaire instrument to acilitate empirical research. We thus offer an empirical context for motivating individuals from underserved communities to use social media effectively during disasters.

Abstract: Disasters are unexpected large-scale events accompanied by trauma, death, and destruction. Disaster resilience varies by location and can be significantly improved through effective management. Real-time information describing the on-site impacts of disasters plays an important role in managing disasters. Social media provides a convenient platform where users in disaster-affected areas can access disaster information, report local damages, and ask for assistance. However, a widespread spatially uneven flow in online activities requesting for food, shelter, and medical assistance among people in disaster-affected areas through social media is seen during any disaster. Digital divide Influences social media use. Before probing the social media data for inspecting the affected population and prioritizing the relief operations, the social inequality in the social media use has to be considered. In this study, we examine the role of digital divide and its influence in social media use with aim of improving disaster resilience in vulnerable communities.

Abstract: Covid-19 demonstrated the vulnerability of various systems and showed, however, that digital tools and data can serve not only to stop infections but also to detect viruses before or immediately after a zoonosis has occurred, thus preventing a potential pandemic. Although several pandemic early warning systems (P-EWS) and German pandemic-related projects (G-PRP) exist, they often use a limited data range or rely on third-party data. Here, we present a concept of an integrative pandemic early warning system (IS-PAN) applied to Germany using various data such as health data (e.g., clinical/syndromic) or internet data (e.g., social media/apps). Based on a systematic literature research of P-EWS and G-PRP on scientific and public health platforms, we derived indicators that help to detect virus threats with a system consisting of modules monitored in parallel. By integrating various pre collected digital data, this approach can help to identify a potential health threat efficiently and effectively.

Abstract: As natural and man-made disasters become increasingly common, ensuring effective disaster response, mitigation and recovery is growing into a high-priority task for governments and administrations globally. This paper describes the challenges of collaboration within multi-organisational hastily formed networks for post-disaster response, which are increasingly relying on emerging ICT infrastructures for communication and cooperation. We present an interdisciplinary analysis of the conditions for establishing an effective mutual conversation space for involved stakeholders, and how the development of socio-technological systems affects cognitive and behavioural aspects such as established communities of practice and virtual pockets of local order. Our observations thus far suggest that some of the key issues are overcoming organisational and cultural heterogeneity, and finding solutions for technical interoperability, to ensure effective, pervasive and sustainable information exchange within and between organisations participating in hastily formed networks.

Abstract: Studies examining the role of social media (SM) use in a crisis often examine the use of SM following a largescale crisis requiring an immediate response. In contrast, this working paper examines the usefulness of SM during an extended crisis, in the form of a heat wave. Authors use the 2013 UK heat wave as a case study to examine how SM was used by different stakeholders during the event, what function(s) SM had, how it was engaged with by the online community and accordingly, what value it contributed to crisis management activities. Findings show that ultimately the nature of the crisis, particularly in relation to populations who are most likely to be vulnerable to its effects, plays an integral role to the value of SM in preparation and response activities.

Abstract: Online Social Networking Sites (SNS) are becoming extremely popular and can be employed in a variety of contexts. They permit the establishment of global relationships that are domain related or can be based on some general need shared by the participants. Emergency domain related websites, each with their own stated mission, are becoming widespread. Can a social network offer a solution to bringing emergency domain-related entities together as a 'one stop shop?' We propose to investigate whether the social network paradigm can be used to enable individuals and organizations to collaborate in mutually beneficial ways, in all stages of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Emergency management students were surveyed to examine the concept of social networks and their acceptance as a potential tool. The results of this exploratory research show overwhelming agreement that SNS should be considered a viable solution to the problems plaguing information dissemination and communications in the emergency domain.