Controlling chaos through the application of smart technologies and intelligent techniques

Recently, the world has witnessed several large-scale natural disasters, including the tsunami that devastated many of the countries around the rim of the Indian Ocean in December 2004, extensive flooding in many parts of Europe in August 2005 and hurricane Katrina in September 2005. These emergency and disaster situations serve to underscore the utter chaos that ensues in the aftermath of such disasters, the many casualties and loss of life, not to mention the devastation and destruction. One recurring theme that is apparent in all these situations is that, irrespective of warnings of the imminent threats, countries have not been prepared and ready to exhibit effective and efficient crisis management. This paper examines the application of the tools, techniques and processes of the knowledge economy to develop a prescriptive model that will support superior decision-making in emergency and disaster situations and thereby enable effective and efficient crisis management