Role of ICT in Emergency and Disaster Management Eswaran Subrahmanian Center for Study of Science Technology and Policy 1
A Framework for Support Technology EMS Decision support Policy & Practices Institutions 2
Features of a EMS Support systems Harmonization between the human systems and technology systems On demand single control and command system a priori assignment of responsibilities Information gathering and presentation systems Information flow channels throughout the hierarchy of command control Flow of informal information from crowd sourcing (mobile phone SMS, pictures and streaming video) Training and awareness support 3
Impediments to use of ICT in Indian context There exists no clear authority or command and control system (multiple lines of command) NDMA procedures call for features but have no implementation plan Lack of information on asset availability and location Lack of assets to address the needs of an urban environment (not enough equipment) lack of enforcement of safety codes in building and places of work Poor public behavior with respect to understanding of public good (cars do not give way to emergency vehicles) Poor training of personnel and transfer of experience Lack of training in Emergency and trauma management (the first PG degree in Emergency and trauma management just initiated) Institutional design and policies are available on paper but none has been tested or implemented 4
Current practice in Indian Cities Very ad hoc command and control Situation assessment is very poor _ Mumbai Very poor control of media Public lack of faith in institutions lead to people taking help effort in their own hands Crowding the emergency scene leading to lack of access Ability to react is impeded by lack of information and required assets Urban planning does not account for emergency and disaster management 5
Where do we begin? A systematic design and integration of policies and practices with institutional command and control structures and technology NDMA has created document with guidelines for integrating Central and state institutions start. Tools for traffic planning and public education Information gathering before, during and after the disaster 6
Data and Information management Geospatial information of the area (city, rural area) GIS based location of police personnel and other security assets including paramilitray and military service units in real time GIS Based information assets Fire, hospital and safe places. 3D images of important buildings, sites and blue prints of the layout including available firextinguishers, stairs, first aid equipment. 7
Data and Information management Potential collection of information from the public at site (SMA, Photographs, streaming video) Information dissemination to the required personnel and instructions Interoperable communication systems Media based information dissemination and control 8
Data and information for training and postmortem analysis Prior incidents and responses case histories and studies of practices. Data on failure modes at the institutions, technology, practice and policy 9
Information analysis Analysis center to co ordinate and disseminate quality information and potential prediction of continued threats Quick situation assessment for graduated action Traffic patterns, control points and alternate routes for evacuation and service provision What if analysis and Emergency gaming for for possible decision outcomes 10
Designing the EMS A participatory approach with all the relevant parties and experienced personnel including psychologists and sociologists Importance to human element in the decision making and integration of appropriate technology Abandoning technological determinism A clearly defined information flow, management, analysis, dissemination and control Training support through past cases and potential cases. Checklist based approach to systematic situation awareness and response 11
Where are we at CSTEP Our first goal is to educate on the technological possibilities for EMS Build partnerships with the City administration, NDMA, Defense and Emergency medical authorities An inititial prototype of some of the features Crowd simulation and management Movement of emergency vehicles 3D images of the disaster area and navigation Standards for storing building layout information Integration of information and interaction design 12
Living Lab Platform Exercise Group Staff Evaluation Connectivity Modular Infrastructure KPI s Logging Simulation Scenarios 13 APP CD Sensors & Information Feedback 13
Response phase, problem type and technology Problem types Phase of Response Technology/approach Development of distortion free Pre response SSNRC development wide area sensors Development of sampling area Pre response Simulation, Modeling through GIS (CSTEP development) To Be Implemented Identification and analysis of raw data streams Pre, during and post response Sensor development/fusion methods Training supported by virtual Pre-response Simulation, collaboration and training Mapping of data and analysis Exchange of data between different groups for coordination Resource allocation and asset management Logistics and mobility of response teams and required equipment Re-design for a resilient supply-chain webs for risk mitigation Integrated planning of response, assets and threats Pre and during response gaming Information roundabout for a common view of the disaster space, people and vehicular movement Pre response GIS based location of sensors, resources and movement paths GIS and path algorithms During reponse Mesh networks + GIS/RFID/sensors/Cell phones/sms to identify and tracking of vehicles and equipment Pre response Food, shelter and other supply chain modeling for failure points Pre-response Scaled simulation, modeling and gaming for training and evaluation of work processes 14
Technology driven ease of implementation chart Proven Experimental S i m p l e C o m p l e x 1. a. LED-CCTV-Battery Unit (lane definition and provision of visual data to enable a quick construction of SA and swift first response) b. GIS-integration (and provision of maps via Google for those services that do not have proprietary GIS systems but do have internet access) c. Work-flow mgt-systems for resilient supply webs 4. a. Information Roundabout b. Voice Interoperability c. Dashboard or Cockpit definition to support: collaboration and communication that fuel the emergence of coordination 2. a. Audio and SMS alerts to facilitate crowd-movements b. Training for visual cues of deviant conditions in sensitive areas c. Post Incident Identification of safeplaces (to feed 2a and a link to 3b.) d. Simulation model to support coordination and training (input and tool for 2b and 2c and also to support the training in coordination) 3. a. Simulation to support Crowdmanagement (formulation, implementation, appraisal/evaluation) b. ISO-PHYS (3D-modeling of physical objects to enable the design and planning of a safety and security system) Ad-Hoc mesh networks 15
Key Issues Acquisition and Integration of Sensing Systems Tools for interpretation and fusion of sensors (e.g. GIS) Visualization of information Information dissemination to public / relief teams Institutional arrangements for rescue and relief operations Contingency plans for early recovery and continuation of operations in the event of any emergency Instant Infrastructure, Supply Chains and Instant Command Systems Center for Study of 16 16
Some samples of the work 17
Crowd movement simulation Bangalore: An early prototype Center for Study of 18 18
Crowd simulation 19
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The CSTEP team Computer scientists Public policy Military personnel with experience in terrorism An ex Police Director general Animators Interaction designers Emergency and trauma medicine experts Sociologists and psychologists to be included 21
The hard congested road ahead Aligning technology, policies, practices and institutions Institutional design Alignment of practice and policy Technology plan and analysis Public education Training, training and training 22