In our previous work, we introduced WIFA approach for incident command systems workflow modeling and analysis. In this paper, we extend WIFA to take resources into account when modeling and enacting workflows. Resources can become important decision factors when combined with control flow information. In many situations, business processes are constrained by scarce resources. The lack of resour...

INTRODUCTION This study compared the conspicuity of three types of first-responder safety garments (NFPA 1971-2007 turnout gear coats, and ANSI/ISEA 107 and 207 safety vests). METHOD Participants drove instrumented vehicles on a closed track during both daytime and nighttime, indicating when they could first detect pedestrians in a simulated emergency response scene. Pedestrians wore one of t...

Rapid evacuation of large urban structures (campus buildings, arenas, stadiums, etc.) is a complex operation and of prime interest to emergency responders and planners. Although there is a considerable body of work in evacuation algorithms and methods, most of these are impractical to use in real-world scenarios (non realtime, for instance) or have difficulty handling scenarios with dynamically...

BACKGROUND Emergency rescue personnel can be considered a "high risk" occupational group in that they could experience a broad range of health and mental health consequences as a result of work-related exposures to critical incidents. OBJECTIVES This study examined the resilience factors that protect mental health among first responders. METHODS Nine hundred and sixty-one first responders f...

Abstract Graphical tools for firefighters in emergency interventions have been proven to be very effective. Particularly, paper-based operational guides and digital with 360º images were already assessed during the drills developed, a training program real, but obsolete not use, hotel. The obtained results considered interesting, being part of study previously published by this research team. I...

Reliable wireless communication links for local-area (short-range) and regional (longrange) reach capabilities are crucial for emergency response to disasters. Lack of a dependable communication system can result in disruptions in the situational awareness between the local responders in the field and the emergency command and control centers. To date, all wireless communications systems such a...

Emergency management is increasingly dependent on networks for information gathering, coordination and physical system control, and consequently is increasingly vulnerable to network failures. A cyber attack could cause such network failures intentionally, so as to impede the work of first responders and maximise the impact of a physical emergency. We propose a taxonomy of existing and potentia...

After the tragic bombing at the Boston marathon, Boston’s cellular networks instantly filled with calls. One company spokeswoman had to publicly plead with its customers “to use text or email to free up voice capacity for public safety officials at the scene." In other words, this nation allocates resources that are critical for emergency response through use of plaintive press releases. U.S. p...