Integrated peer-to-peer applications for advanced emergency response systems. Part II. Technical feasibility

We present a study of the technical feasibility of applying peer-to-peer (P2P) technology to the domain of emergency response. The conceptual feasibility of such an endeavor is described in "Integrated Peer-to-Peer Applications for Advanced Emergency Response Systems Part I: Concept of Operations" (Bahora, et al.), which argues that current emergency response technologies do not adequately support the dynamic nature of emergency response. To provide support, peer-to-peer networks have been identified as an integrating architecture. We explore the integration of the peer-to-peer architecture, specifically the HyperCast peer-to-peer communications framework, with streaming video communication, GPS-based location awareness, and information access management control to better support emergency response. Upon conclusion of this research, these functionalities were implemented as prototypes.