A Risk Scenario for Small Businesses in Hurricane Sandy Type Disasters

Introduction to the communication and information systems technology for emergency management minitrack

The world spends annually between 16 and 23 billion US dollars in disaster assistance. In 2010 an estimated 373 natural disasters occurred, causing 296, 800 victims and affecting more than 207 million people. By 2050 the number of people living in areas especially prone to natural disasters will probably double (from 680 to 1500 million). Communication and Information System Technology is profoundly changing the management of disasters and emergencies. Mobile devices and social media are being used by citizens in innovative ways to help them manage the consequences of disasters for themselves, families, and communities. The trend of increasing traffic flow originating from affected citizens…

Leveraging a Wiki to EnhanceVirtual Collaboration in the Emergency Domain

In a crisis situation, critical success factors include good preparedness, the availability of trustworthy information and reliable people, and the responders' ability to improvise with the available, functioning tools. Wikis can be used as collaborative group support systems to support these activities, especially for communities of practice that must operate as high reliability organizations. The advantages of using a wiki are especially beneficial in volatile environments, such as those in the emergency domain, where critical real-time decision making is required. An international wiki emergenciWiki.org - has been created and is being used by both practitioners and academics. The conclus…

Insights from a Simulation Model of Disaster Response: Generalization and Action Points

In a prior paper we presented a system dynamics model that simulates responder behavior in a Norwegian landslide. The model shows how a set of vicious feedback loops caused by following standard organizational procedures that do not fit the disaster situation initially increases errors in response. Eventually learning and sensemaking in an improvisation/experimentation process leads to new emergent dynamics whereby the loops act virtuously. In this paper we aim to generalize this initial study by explaining in more detail how the model can describe large scale disaster responses of different types and how it relates to the wider disaster response literature. We discuss what types of levers,…

Introduction to Communication and Information Systems Technology for Crisis and Disaster Management Minitrack

International audience

A Review of Qualitative Comments on a Proposed Master's Degree in Emergency Management