An architecture for command and control in disaster response systems

The Hanshin-Awaji earthquake illustrated the importance of data acquisition in disaster response systems. We propose a process work flow model for the next generations of disaster response systems. The process consists of the following four steps: data acquisition, data analysis, decision support, and command and control. In this paper, we focus on the final step of the process work flow. Based on the analysis of the needs of the rescue team in field works, an architecture for command and control in the disaster response system is proposed. The architecture consists of three layers: the base GIS layer, shared dynamic object layer, and communication support layer. A prototype system was built with two different types of computers: wearable computers and a laptop computer with a touch panel