An Inquiry Regarding the Development of an Effectual Architecture Framework Supporting Next Generation 9-1-1

The emergency 9-1-1 service is a vital part of our nation â„¢s emergency response and disaster preparedness systems. At last count there were 6100 Public Safety Answering Points across the United States, 97 of those reside in the State of Colorado, and the citizens of the United States cannot email, text, or instant message these types of non-traditional communication to those Public Safety Answering Points due to technological limitations. The trends in personal communication technologies are accelerating the obsolescence of the current 9-1-1 systems. The Public Safety Answering Point of today is designed to accept and process voice media only; and proved successful in delivering emergency services in times of personal, regional, and national need. The current circuit-switched infrastructure of the 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point network cannot receive digital data (e.g., text messages, email, photographs, and video) from the communication devices commonly used by the public today. A national movement known as Next Generation 9-1-1 is underway that will support non-traditional communication digital data processing in the Public Safety Answering Point. This case study will attempt to determine if practical service oriented architecture methodology can be used in the development of an effectual architecture framework supporting the Next Generation 9-1-1framework and the nontraditional communication technology within the Public Safety Answering Points of Colorado

Ubiquitous Interoperable Emergency Response System

In the United States, there is an emergency dispatch for fire department services more than once every second - 31,854,000 incidents in 2012. While large scale disasters present enormous response complexity, even the most common emergencies require a better way to communicate information between personnel. Through real-time location and status updates using integrated sensors, this system can significantly decrease emergency response times and improve the overall effectiveness of emergency responses. Aside from face-to-face communication, radio transmissions are the most common medium for transferring information during emergency incidents. However, this type of information sharing is riddled with issues that are nearly impossible to overcome on a scene. Poor sound quality, the failure to hear transmissions, the inability to reach a radio microphone, and the transient nature of radio messages illustrate just a few of the problems. Proprietary and closed systems that collect and present response data have been implemented, but lack interoperability and do not provide a full array of necessary services. Furthermore, the software and hardware that run the systems are generally poorly designed for emergency response scenarios. Pervasive devices, which can transmit data without human interaction, and software using open communication standards designed for multiple platforms and form factors are two essential components. This thesis explores the issues, history, design, and implementation of a ubiquitous interoperable emergency response system by taking advantage of the latest in hardware and software, including Google Glass, Android powered mobile devices, and a cloud based architecture that can automatically scale to 7 billion requests per day. Implementing this pervasive system that transcends physical barriers by allowing disparate devices to communicate and operate harmoniously without human interaction is a step towards a practical solution for emergency response management

Distributed, cooperating knowledge-based systems

Some current research in the development and application of distributed, cooperating knowledge-based systems technology is addressed. The focus of the current research is the spacecraft ground operations environment. The underlying hypothesis is that, because of the increasing size, complexity, and cost of planned systems, conventional procedural approaches to the architecture of automated systems will give way to a more comprehensive knowledge-based approach. A hallmark of these future systems will be the integration of multiple knowledge-based agents which understand the operational goals of the system and cooperate with each other and the humans in the loop to attain the goals. The current work includes the development of a reference model for knowledge-base management, the development of a formal model of cooperating knowledge-based agents, the use of testbed for prototyping and evaluating various knowledge-based concepts, and beginning work on the establishment of an object-oriented model of an intelligent end-to-end (spacecraft to user) system. An introductory discussion of these activities is presented, the major concepts and principles being investigated are highlighted, and their potential use in other application domains is indicated

SIREPH: an Integrated Approach to the Pre-Hospital Emergency Framework

Pre-hospital emergency care is one of the most important phases in the healthcare system framework, as it is the first point of contact between patients and healthcare professionals. In Portugal, there is still a considerable amount of human dependent processes that could be automated to avoid unnecessary miscommunication and to improve the quality of the service provided. The main areas of challenge lie on the communication between emergency centrals, between emergency centrals and the technician’s on the field and in the patient pre-hospital emergency information handover phase to the target hospital. As these interactions take place in environments where time is essential and the pos sibility of committing errors is considerable, relying exclusively on human processes may hinder the entire framework. This thesis presents the analysis, design and implemen tation of a proof of concept solution that tackles the deficiencies identified in process automation in the pre-hospital emergency framework, and aims to improve the service quality provided by the professionals in this field. The system follows a service-oriented architecture, were a REST API supports several user interfaces. All web-based interfaces are implemented with a low code platform. This thesis is focused on 3 main distinguishable actors: administrative emergency centrals (emergency dispatch centers at national level); non-administrative emergency centrals (firefighter and red cross stations); and hospitals. We conducted trials with 25 users to validate the reliability of the system, particularly of the API, and the suitability of the user interfaces. Results show that the system accu rately captures the pre-hospital emergency information workflow, and the several user interfaces were positively reviewed by all users.Os serviços de urgência pré-hospitalares são uma das fases mais importantes no âmbito do sistema de saúde, uma vez que são o primeiro ponto de contacto entre os doentes e os profissionais de saúde. Em Portugal, existe ainda uma quantidade considerável de pro cessos dependentes do ser humano que poderiam ser automatizados para evitar erros de comunicação indesejados e para melhorar a qualidade do serviço prestado. As principais áreas de desafio residem na comunicação entre os centros de emergência, entre os centros de emergência e os técnicos no terreno e na fase de entrega de informação de emergência pré-hospitalar do paciente ao hospital de destino. Como estas interações têm lugar em ambientes onde o tempo é essencial e a possibi lidade de cometer erros é considerável, confiar exclusivamente em processos humanos pode dificultar todo o funcionamento do serviço. Esta tese apresenta a análise, concepção e implementação de uma solução de prova de conceito que aborda as deficiências iden tificadas na automatização de processos no quadro de emergência pré-hospitalar, e visa melhorar a qualidade do serviço prestado pelos profissionais nesta área. O sistema segue uma arquitectura orientada para serviços, onde uma API REST su porta várias interfaces de utilizador. Todas as interface web são implementadas com uma plataforma de low-code. Esta tese centra-se em 3 intervenientes principais distintos: cen trais administrativas de emergência (centros de despacho de emergência a nível nacional); centrais não administrativas de emergência (estações de bombeiros e de cruz vermelha); e hospitais. Realizaram-se testes com 25 utilizadores de modo a validar a fiabilidade do sistema, particularmente da API, e a adequação das interfaces de utilizador. Os resultados mos tram que o sistema capta com precisão o fluxo de trabalho de informação de emergência pré-hospitalar, e as várias interfaces de utilizador foram avaliadas positivamente por todos os utilizadores

Quality of service based data-aware scheduling

Distributed supercomputers have been widely used for solving complex computational problems and modeling complex phenomena such as black holes, the environment, supply-chain economics, etc. In this work we analyze the use of these distributed supercomputers for time sensitive data-driven applications. We present the scheduling challenges involved in running deadline sensitive applications on shared distributed supercomputers running large parallel jobs and introduce a ``data-aware\u27\u27 scheduling paradigm that overcomes these challenges by making use of Quality of Service classes for running applications on shared resources. We evaluate the new data-aware scheduling paradigm using an event-driven hurricane simulation framework which attempts to run various simulations modeling storm surge, wave height, etc. in a timely fashion to be used by first responders and emergency officials. We further generalize the work and demonstrate with examples how data-aware computing can be used in other applications with similar requirements

In Pursuit of a Next Generation Network for Public Safety Communications

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a unitary reliance on Land Mobile Radio systems (LMRs) failed public safety agencies, leaving them without any source of communications once they lost transmission capability. Unfortunately, in the wake of this tragedy, many have dusted off traditional prescriptions for improving public safety communications, such as more dedicated spectrum and more money for single-purpose LMRs (or LMRs based on technology that fails to facilitate broader functionalities). As we explain, however, both the needs underscored by Katrina and the capabilities made possible by emerging technologies call for a different strategy. In this paper, we argue that sound policy favors adoption of a next generation flexible architecture strategy for public safety communications. Such a flexible architecture embraces technological convergence and, accordingly, strives to coordinate existing LMRs, commercial terrestrial services, satellite technology, and wireless broadband systems to provide a robust, reliable, secure, and interoperable broadband communications system. Additionally, this approach would take advantage of multi-mode radios which are already a reality in most segments of the marketplace (except for public safety). Such multi-mode radios are expected to be even more robust once the recently authorized ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) of mobile satellite services becomes an option for public safety agencies. Notably, the flexible architecture that we advocate does not necessarily require additional spectrum dedicated for public safety agencies nor prohibitive financial investment in the equipment needed to use spectrum effectively. Rather, public safety agencies can leverage networks provided by commercial providers - particularly hybrid satellite and terrestrial systems - to satisfy many public safety needs in a cost-effective fashion. To advance this vision, policymakers should ensure that (1) satellite and terrestrial providers are afforded the opportunity - through pro-market and innovative spectrum policies - to develop effective offerings for public safety agencies; and (2) public safety agencies receive sufficient financial support to promote this type of a hybrid, next generation architecture

Robotics for Disaster Relief

Firefighting is a dangerous occupation and several firefighters die in the line of duty every year around the United States. It is important to do all that we can to mitigate these losses. One such method is to develop tools to aid supervisory personnel at the site of a firefighting incident. The goal of this project was to develop a user interface that would help visualize data that is made available to firefighters through devices and sensors that they have on them as well as the data from potential robots that are part of such operations. Our interface aggregates observations made in studies ranging from human-computer-interaction to search-and-rescue with respect to user interface design elements. We also make recommendations for the development of a fully-working user interface

Solving the Interoperability Problem: Are We On the Same Channel? An Essay on the Problems and Prospects for Public Safety Radio

Symposium: The Crisis in Public Safety Communications. Held at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, December 8, 2006. A number of disasters over the last two decades have demonstrated the dire consequences that occur when first responders are unable to communicate due to interoperability of their communications equipment. Each such disaster is followed by a strong reaction from the Federal government, promising immediate action, often with plans to deploy the latest technology. In fact, nothing has ever actually happened at the Federal level to solve first responders\u27 interoperability problem. As I show using a case study from Delaware, states have stepped into the breach and provided fully interoperable systems using technology that is twenty years old. While the Federal government has made much political noise about the problem and its role in fixing it, it is the states that are quietly getting the job done

Great East Japan Earthquake, JR East Mitigation Successes, and Lessons for California High-Speed Rail, MTI Report 12-37

California and Japan both experience frequent seismic activity, which is often damaging to infrastructure. Seismologists have developed systems for detecting and analyzing earthquakes in real-time. JR East has developed systems to mitigate the damage to their facilities and personnel, including an early earthquake detection system, retrofitting of existing facilities for seismic safety, development of more seismically resistant designs for new facilities, and earthquake response training and exercises for staff members. These systems demonstrated their value in the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 and have been further developed based on that experience. Researchers in California are developing an earthquake early warning system for the state, and the private sector has seismic sensors in place. These technologies could contribute to the safety of the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s developing system, which could emulate the best practices demonstrated in Japan in the construction of the Los Angeles-to-San Jose segment

Assessment of cockpit interface concepts for data link retrofit

The problem is examined of retrofitting older generation aircraft with data link capability. The approach taken analyzes requirements for the cockpit interface, based on review of prior research and opinions obtained from subject matter experts. With this background, essential functions and constraints for a retrofit installation are defined. After an assessment of the technology available to meet the functions and constraints, candidate design concepts are developed. The most promising design concept is described in detail. Finally, needs for further research and development are identified