First Responders and Crisis Map Symbols: Clarifying Communication

During the initial hours of a disaster, first responders enter chaotic, devastated areas to assess the situation and to report information on multiple events back to their command stations. After the tragedies of 9/11 in New York City, the Federal Geographic Data Committee Homeland Security Working Group (FGDC HSWG) proposed universal map symbols for use by all levels of emergency personnel. For map use in a crisis situation, map elements have to be easily understood and interpreted. Therefore, universal symbol sets, especially those that are meant to assist first responders in rescue efforts, should be evaluated using rigorous testing methods. This study explored how human factors research and testing methods can be used by cartographers to improve the design and comprehension of pictorial map symbols. Using the American National Standards Institute's (ANSI) recommended open-ended testing method, this study examined the comprehension of the FGDC HSWG Emergency and Hazard Management Mapping Standards point symbology. Open-ended testing was conducted with 50 firefighters in California using 15 symbols from the Incidents category and 13 symbols from the Operations category. The results of this research show that 22 of the 28 symbols tested did not achieve the 85 percent comprehension level necessary to meet the standard.