The work of first responders is marked by unpredictable situations, quick decisions and peak performance. Gathering all important information related to an emergency situation forms the basis for a meaningful and purposeful planning and action. For example during an accident scene the execution of complex individual orders is crucial. The many rescue facilities, rescue vehicles, and first respo...

When disaster strikes, optimal access to real-time information of the disaster situation during ‘blind time’ – the time prior to the arrival of the first responders and during response and recovery stages is essential to improve the effectiveness of the first responders and recovery. This paper describes a disaster management system, iSurvival, which uses specialist applications on the smart ph...

The events of 11 September 2001 became the catalyst for many to shift their disaster preparedness efforts towards mass-casualty incidents. Emergency responders, healthcare workers, emergency managers, and public health officials worldwide are being tasked to improve their readiness by acquiring equipment, providing training and implementing policy, especially in the area of mass-casualty decont...

OBJECTIVE To highlight changing trend of clinical spectrum, comparing management options and predictors of outcome of emphysematous pyelonephritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study included patients who were diagnosed as emphysematous pyelonephritis between August, 2001 to July, 2015. We excluded other possible causes of gas in renal system. Baseline patient characteristics, clinical spectrum,...

We introduce a method to integrate Cell-DEVS models with DEVS-based robotic agents and an advanced Immersive environment for Emergency Management. The emergency is handled by an autonomous robot controlled by a real-time DEVS model. The model controlling the robot interacts with a simulation for emergencies, receiving realtime data about its location on a cell space. The immersive environment i...

Social media and Internet-based messaging systems are increasingly important platforms for risk communication. A global audience turns to these tools to seek, disseminate, and curate time-sensitive, emergency information during periods of crisis. Moreover, emergency management organizations report adopting these tools to augment their typical public information functions. Here, we use unsupervi...

OBJECTIVES Methamphetamine (meth) is a highly addictive drug of abuse that can easily be made in small illegal laboratories from household chemicals that are highly toxic and dangerous. Meth labs have been found in locations such as homes, outbuildings, motels, and cars. Its production endangers the "cook," neighbors, responders, and the environment. This article describes surveillance data use...

Local emergency medical service (EMS) personnel, firefighters, rescue workers, law enforcement personnel, and bystanders present play an essential role in our nation’s security and preparedness. First responders are trained to deliver critical—often lifesaving—care to the injured before they reach hospitals. They must make high-consequence decisions quickly and in coordination with responders f...