Computational Public Safety in Emergency Management Communications

Communications are very important in any situation but in emergency management it is imperative that the communications be reliable and responsive to the evolving situation. In emergency management there are many different types of networks with different objectives. It is of immense value to have the ability to seamlessly integrate other networks and computing resources into one interconnected heterogeneous network. The entire management team should be able to access any of the individual networks and their resources. In this paper we discuss various wireless network communication options in the context of their viability for use in emergency management. We analyze various technical aspects such as propagation delay, packet delivery ratio, and transmission rates. In addition the environmental conditions that impair communications are discussed. All experiments we conducted took place in a setting that was real, using real equipment that was physically situated in settings that can be expected in urban disaster settings—our results are not simulations. They were performed in cooperation with the Ontario Provincial Police, Provincial Emergency Response Tea

Wireless Mesh Network Performance for Urban Search and Rescue Missions

In this paper we demonstrate that the Canine Pose Estimation (CPE) system can provide a reliable estimate for some poses and when coupled with effective wireless transmission over a mesh network. Pose estimates are time sensitive, thus it is important that pose data arrives at its destination quickly. Propagation delay and packet delivery ratio measuring algorithms were developed and used to appraise Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) performance as a means of carriage for this time-critical data. The experiments were conducted in the rooms of a building where the radio characteristics closely resembled those of a partially collapsed building-a typical US&R environment. This paper presents the results of the experiments, which demonstrate that it is possible to receive the canine pose estimation data in realtime although accuracy of the results depend on the network size and the deployment environment.Comment: 19 Pages, IJCNC Journa

Adaptive Engineering of an Embedded System, Engineered for use by Search and Rescue Canines

In Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) operations, canine teams are deployed to find live patients, and save lives. US&R may benefit from increased levels of situational awareness, through information made available through the use of embedded systems attached to the dogs. One of these is the Canine Pose Estimation (CPE) system. There are many challenges faced with such embedded systems including the engineering of such devices for use in disaster environments. Durability and wireless connectivity in areas with materials that inhibit wireless communications, the safety of the dog wearing the devices, and form factor must be accommodated. All of these factors must be weighed without compromising the accuracy of the application and the timely delivery of its data. This paper discusses the adaptive engineering process and how each of the unique challenges of emergency response embedded systems can be defined and overcome through effective design methods

Canine Pose Estimation: A Computing for Public Safety Solution

In this paper we discuss determining canine pose in the context of common poses observed in Urban Search and Rescue dogs through the use a sensor network made up of accelerometers. We discuss the use of the Canine Pose Estimation System in a disaster environment, and propose techniques for determining canine pose. In addition we discuss the challenges with this approach in such environments. This paper presents the experimental results obtained from the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue disaster simulation, where experiments were conducted using multiple canines, which show that angles can be derived from acceleration readings. Our experiments show that similar angles were measured for each of the poses, even when measured on multiple USAR canines of varying size. We also developed an algorithm to determine poses and display the current canine pose to the screen of a laptop. The algorithm was successful in determining some poses and had difficulty with others. These results are presented and discussed in this paper

Enhancing Canine Disaster Search

This paper describes canine augmentation technology (CAT) for use in urban search and rescue (USAR). CAT is a WiFi enabled sensor array that is worn by a trained canines deployed in urban disasters. The system includes, but is not limited to, cameras that provide emergency responders with real-time data to remotely monitor, analyze and take action during USAR operations. An analysis is made of the current tools available to USAR workers including rescue robots and canine search teams. From this analysis came the design of CAT-a system that extracts the strengths of each available USAR tool and combines them to compliment each other. Our experiments yield promising results that CAT may provide significant help to rescuers

Wireless Mesh Network Performance for Urban Search and Rescue Missions

in this paper we demonstrate that the Canine Pose Estimation (CPE) system can provide a reliable estimate for some poses and when coupled with effective wireless transmission over a mesh network. Pose estimates are time sensitive, thus it is important that pose data arrives at its destination quickly. Propagation delay and packet delivery ratio measuring algorithms were developed and used to appraise Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) performance as a means of carriage for this time-critical data. The experiments were conducted in the rooms of a building where the radio characteristics closely resembled those of a partially collapsed building-a typical US&R environment. This paper presents the results of the experiments, which demonstrate that it is possible to receive the canine pose estimation data in realtime although accuracy of the results depend on the network size and the deployment environment