Context-aware mobile coordination system for emergency response

Abstract

This article proposes how context-aware Information Technologies can assist emergency response teams. Contextual information about an emergency responder’s activities such as current status and location can be automatically transmitted to other responders using criteria such as physical proximity and relevance. In this manner, ad hoc (peer-to-peer) emergency response teams can be coordinated via notifications of status updates (changes in location, task updates, personnel availability, and so on). The article argues that a peer-to-peer, context-aware coordination approach can be proved to be more effective than hierarchical command and control style of coordination in certain emergency response situations.