Decision Systems in Disaster Management with Application to Fire

Abstract

This book chapter explores the utilization of an ontology of disaster images in the design of a decision support system for intervening in prevention or reconstruction efforts following events such as earthquakes, floods, and even fires. Grounded in philosophy, ontology in computer science relies on taxonomies, which are classifications of concepts used to facilitate object-oriented programming. To this end, existing collections of disaster images have been analyzed based on relevant literature. The objective here is to map the perception of disasters across different groups, including experts, the passive public, and actively affected individuals. These stakeholders play a crucial role in decision-making within a participatory planning framework, with the most advanced form being strategic planning. This approach offers an alternative to traditional urban regulatory and landscape planning. Urban planning and land use are essential considerations for non-structural disaster prevention interventions, particularly in areas where urban and wildland environments intersect. In such contexts, the coexistence of human settlements and forests in urban settings emphasizes the dual nature of forests as both natural heritage and a domain that calls for nature-based solutions.