Modelling and simulation of inter- and intra-organisational communication and coordination in emergency response

Abstract

This paper presents the modelling and simulation of the organisational behaviour of emergency response in disasters, with the aim of using them for the design and assessment of emergency response systems. We identified and categorised various rules, protocols and procedures for emergency response through task analyses, observations and records of emergency exercises, in addition to interviews with emergency responders of various organisations. We assumed one organisation or group to be a single entity with a cognitive process and then constructed a normative model of emergency response with a conventional human model incorporating the input-decision-action cycle. Based on the model, we developed a multi-agent simulator of organisational behaviour in emergency response. We carried out test simulations using a scenario of actual emergency exercises and obtained some suggestions for the current emergency response system. This paper also discusses the possible applications of this simulation to various issues of disaster management, such as disaster education, training and exercises.