Supporting multi-group emergency management with multimedia

Many different groups of experts are involved in the management of complex large-scale operations during normal operation and also in cases of emergencies. Advanced communications and information processing technologies (e.g. multimedia and the Internet) provide the basis for real-time decision support for emergency response. However, to assure effective information processing and decision-making, the technology must be complemented by sophisticated analysis and decision-making models. In this paper we discuss the concept of emergency management for multiple groups of experts, and propose a decision support approach which capitalizes upon advanced multimedia technology. The concept is based on an expanded paradigm of operational risk management which is based on the concept of assessing and revising courses of action in a real-time environment. The approach is discussed for the case of an emergency response organization in a nuclear power generation plant. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.