Operational Sustainability Management for the Infrastructure: the Case of Emergency Response

The need for operational sustainability management of infrastructures is described in the context of emergency response. Emergency response organizations are faced with complex, unprecedented events with the potential for catastrophic losses. Advanced computing and communications technologies provide the potential to reduce this complexity by facilitating information and data processing. Integration of intelligent decision support models into these advanced systems has further improved operational decision making. However, new models need to be developed and the traditional command and control structure of decision making be revised to accommodate greater flexibility and creativity by teams. We propose the concept of intelligent decision support for sustainability management, using the case of emergency response. The process of emergency response in light of this new concept is first discussed and opportunities for supporting the process identified. A synopsis of recent technologies and their integration with structured decision making methods illustrates how technologies can assist emergency response organizations in achieving greater flexibility in highly uncertain environments. We discuss a project at the Port of Rotterdam, where we are currently implementing these new technologies and a new decision making concept for emergency management. We conclude with suggestions for implementing operational sustainability management for the infrastructure.