Simulation of multi-organisational coordination in emergency response for system resiliency

Abstract

This paper presents a multi-agent and human-in-the-loop simulator for emergency response in disasters. We identified and categorised various typical situation-oriented rules using interviews and questionnaire surveys of emergency responders who hold positions as local government officials, police and nuclear experts, as well as observed emergency exercises during various disasters. These factors were then implemented into a previously developed organisational model of intra- and inter-agency communication and coordination for emergency response. Based on this model, a multi-agent simulator for organisational behaviour in emergency response was developed. In addition, a user console on an identical simulation platform was constructed and integrated with the multi-agent simulation. Users can exchange messages through the console by using the same ontology and message format as those used by computer agents. Test simulations were executed and the results confirmed that the multi-agent, human-in-the-loop simulation creates various complicated situations that are similar to actual emergency situations and, therefore, could be a strong candidate for education, training and exercises in disaster response.