EAGER: Initiation of a US-New Zealand Human Factors in Disaster Management Research Collaboration

在大规模破坏性事件中，公共卫生工作者和救援队面临的最大挑战之一是拥有稳定和可利用的应急通信系统，满足用户的需求。 移动的技术正在迅速融入到第一反应者的环境中，但目前关于使用通信平台和互联网社交网络进行应急反应的研究很少;因此，在灾害反应中如何最有效和最高效地使用移动的通信平台方面存在知识空白。 PI在这项探索性研究中的目标是为以人为本的方法奠定基础，以评估关键的人为因素和人体工程学问题，这些问题可以通过在应急管理的准备和响应阶段使用移动的技术来解决。 由于2011年美国北方弗吉尼亚地区的地震与2010年新西兰基督城地震之间存在相似之处，她的方法是在美国和新西兰之间发起国际研究合作，以解决研究问题，如：应急管理人员使用的当前和新兴技术有哪些（包括第一反应者和志愿者）参与灾害管理的准备和反应阶段？ 通过使用移动的技术，应急管理人员可以解决哪些人为因素和人体工程学挑战？ 从人为因素的角度来看，新兴技术和社交网络的使用如何影响应急管理人员的绩效？ 能否建立一个数学模型，以衡量灾害管理准备和反应阶段基本技术的可用性、相对重要性和可靠性？ 这项工作将包括审查新西兰基督教堂地震的数据和现场数据收集，使用模拟情景，并在梅西大学应急行动中心实验室的培训演习期间对应急管理人员进行观察分析。 在没有适当的通信和任务执行协议的极端情况下，技术可能变得毫无用处。 因此，为应急管理中符合人体工程学的任务性能建立指导方针和通信协议，有可能改变对灾难性事件中人类需求的反应。 项目成果将为在救灾工作中最大限度地为第一反应者提供通信资源奠定基础，同时对所提供援助的质量产生重大影响。

In a large-scale destructive event one of the great challenges for public health workers and rescue teams is to have stable and accessible emergency communication systems that are compatible with the needs of the users. Mobile technology is rapidly being integrated into the to first responder environment, yet little research currently exists regarding the use of communication platforms and Internet social networks for emergency response; as a consequence, there exists a gap in the body of knowledge regarding the most effective and efficient use of mobile communication platforms in disaster response. The PI's objective in this exploratory research is to lay the foundation for a human-centered methodology to evaluate critical human factors and ergonomic issues that can be addressed through the use of mobile technology in the preparation and response phases of emergency management. Because similarities exist between the 2011 earthquake in the Northern Virginia region of the United States and the Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake of 2010, her approach is to initiate an international research collaboration between the US and NZ to address research questions such as: What are the current and emerging technologies used by emergency management personnel (including first responders and volunteers) in the preparation and response phases of disaster management? What are the human factors and ergonomics challenges to emergency management personnel that can be addressed through the use of mobile technology? How does the use of emerging technology and social networking impact the performance of emergency management personnel from a human factors perspective? Can a mathematical model be developed to measure the usability, relative importance and reliability of essential technology in the preparation and response phases of disaster management? The work will include review of data from the Christ Church earthquakes and on-site data collection in New Zealand using mock scenarios and observation analysis of emergency managers during training exercises in the Emergency Operations Center Lab at Massey University.Broader Impacts: Technology can be rendered useless in extreme situations absent appropriate communication and task performance protocols. So establishing guidelines and communication protocols for ergonomically sound task performance in emergency management has the potential to transform the response to human needs in catastrophic events. Project outcomes will lay the foundation for maximizing communication resources for first responders during relief efforts while significantly impacting the quality of aid rendered.