Engineering effective cooperation and communication: a bottom-up approach

Author: Dugdale Julie   Darcy Sandrine   Pavard Bernard  

Publisher: Inderscience Publishers

ISSN: 1471-4825

Source: International Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.3, Iss.1, 2006-07, pp. : 58-65

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Abstract

Current research in crisis management research tends to overemphasise formal organisational modes and does not adequately support ground level teams. Following a case study, we identify five main problems experienced by rescuers at the start of an emergency intervention. The work shows a clear need to focus research on ground level communication and local coordination activities and to develop flexible communication tools and flexible coordination structures. We argue that robustness, flexibility and self-organisation are key issues in designing emergency communication systems. We give two simple examples of communication tools that can support flexible and robust communications.

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