A case study of information flows in multi-agency emergency response exercises

ABSTRACT

Successful disaster management requires efficient information sharing and coordination of multi-agency emergency response operations. This paper compares two types of multi-agency emergency response exercises where multiple relief agencies are required to collaborate, using a set of information communication technologies, in response to large-scale disaster scenarios. The analysis shows that many decision-makers and information managers suffer from a lack of information availability awareness and that the information flows are heavily regulated by the institutional structure and organizations involved in multi-agency emergency response, which may not achieve the full potential of the available ICTs' technical capabilities. As a result, information systems should be conceptualized in a way that the system includes the underlying political and organizational structure, institutional rules/operational procedures, norms, and most importantly, the human actors. The paper also discusses several points that seem to have important implications to successful emergency response.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.3 Group and Organization Interfaces

General Terms:
Design, Management, Performance

Keywords:
ICT, case study, disaster management, emergency response, information flow, information sharing, inter-organizational system, socio-technical system, system design