An integrated DE and AB simulation model for EMS management

In this paper we discuss the design of a general and flexible simulation model for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) management. The model integrates two different modelling approaches: Discrete Event (DE) and Agent Based (AB) methodologies. DE approach is used to model the work-flow underlying the EMS management: this allows to identify system bottlenecks and to evaluate the dimensioning of man forces and ambulances. In order to evaluate advanced ambulance management policies (e.g., re-routing, patroling, ...), it is required to know exactly where an ambulance is at any instant of time. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to represent the ambulance movement. In our approach, we use AB to model the interactions among ambulances through their movement within the area considered.