Simulation and Network-Centric Emergency Response

This paper describes research into the integration of game-based simulations and incident command technologies. The research is at the confluence of two technology revolutions: the influx of new emergency response technologies for emergency responders and the use of computer game technology for serious simulation. Network-centric emergency response is emerging as a new paradigm, driven in large part by technologies derived from the military sector. Specifically, sensor and information sharing technologies are being introduced to civilian incident command technologies and initiating a revolution in emergency response like the “revolution in military affairs” that has been ongoing for the past decade. The implications of these new technologies for well-established incident command procedures are unclear. Emergency responders will soon be capable of generating vast amounts of data. How will operators-in-the-loop (both incident commanders and first responders) deal with this flood of information? The integration of game-based simulations with new and prototype emergency response information systems may help answer these questions. Game engines are particularly well suited for multiplayer, realtime representations of reality, and game-based emergency response simulations integrated with information systems can provide a powerful method for evaluating human system integration. Several pilot efforts have demonstrated the value of integrating games and prototype emergency response systems. These include the evaluation and demonstration of mass casualty monitoring system using a mass casualty simulation, and the integration of emergency operation center (EOC) software with a radiation response simulation. We describe these pilot projects and plans to use simulation to rehearse high-consequence events, which will not only lead to better emergency response technologies, but will also allow policy makers to adapt to the new world of network-centric emergency response.