An investigation of system design considerations for emergency management decision support

摘要

Simulation tests that were carried out to evaluate DSS design factors in the context of emergency management decisionmaking are reported on in this paper. In particular, the effects of two basic considerations have been examined: 1) the availability of a microcomputer for enhancing data display during an emergency; and 2) the “ stage” or severity of the emergency. The simulation was conducted at the training facility of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Emmitsburg, MD with county civil preparedness personnel from around the country. The exercise involved the response to a nuclear generating facility accident, a situation that typically would require various inputs from public officials to protect the local community from potential radiation exposure. The results of the experiment indicate 1) clear support for computerization of emergency management decision support systems; and 2) an apparent need to focus attention on further development of these systems to improve the decisionmaking capabilities of public managers during the later less-structured stages of an emergency.