Simulation and Emergency Management

Part IV. Systems Design and Technology (Chap. 10)International audienceLive simulation exercises and computer-based simulations have an important role to play in emergency management. The needs and requirements of the stakeholders vary according to the different phases of emergency management. In this chapter we discuss how simulation may be used to support the stakeholders in each phase of the emergency. Several technologies exist for developing computer-based simulations. We focus on two technologies that have recently become popular in emergency management: agent-based and virtual reality. Developing a simulator requires understanding how emergency personnel make decisions, how they diagnose a situation, how they communicate and cooperate with other emergency personnel, and how these things are affected by the constantly changing crisis environment. In short, we need to know the cognitive activities of emergency personnel. Based on a cognitive engineering approach, we describe a methodology for developing a computer-based simulator. We show how this methodology has been applied in developing a simulator for evaluating different rescue plans and testing new communication technologies. Developing computer-based simulators of real-life situations is notoriously difficult. Problems with developing computer-based simulators are discussed and some recommendations are proposed