Assuring the information flow from accident sites to decision makers – a Finnish case study

Abstract

In spite of the huge amount of information regarding natural and man-made accidents, rescue forces are not able to use information efficiently in their decision-making. From a rescue services point of view, the main challenge is not only to get authentic and real data, but to get ready analysed data. This paper discusses the Finnish way to create an emergency management system that collects reasonable data from an emergency situation, merges the data to get a better overall picture, and sends the analysed assessment of the situation to the rescue services and decision-makers. Two pilot tests were made to define how the information would flow from accident sites to rescue authorities and decision-makers in the best way. The results show that a network has to be established for supplying and analysing the information into a suitable form to be used in real-time management of crisis situations. The authorities also have to ensure that there are no technical limits which obstruct the real-time information flow from accident sites to the decision-makers' monitors.

The role of GI-supported methods in crisis management

“…The example in Figure 2(b) is from UHHA project (Molarius et al 2009) in which a kind of alarming and warning system prototype was developed. The idea was to create a web-based service in which various institutes could offer their data and analysis services.…”

“…(b) Spatio-temporal population model together with a dispersion model of a gas leak(Molarius et al 2009, reprinted with permission from WIT press).…”