Citation

Kirsh D, Peterson NJ, Lenert LA. AMIA Annu. Symp. Proc. 2005; 400-404.

Affiliation

Dept of Cognitive Science, University of California San Diego, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, American Medical Informatics Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16779070

PMCID

PMC1560830

Abstract

We study how Metropolitan Medical Response System units conceptualize the physical space of a disaster and their organized response. Using a variety of ethnographic methods before, during, and after a disaster drill, we have developed an initial ontology for geospatial and context-aware technology. The conceptual map of first responders is far more complex than a geographical map. Zones and Areas are used to describe documented concepts critical to MMRS operations. Ad hoc locations also play a critical role, helping first responders communicate tactics in spatial terms. Such distinctions play an important role in the way our experts think about their activity. Successful geoaware alerting systems must incorporate these notions if they are to seamlessly fit into the work flow of first responders.

Language: en