Human-computer interaction: The human and computer as a team in emergency management information systems

The role of human-computer interaction (HCI) at each phase of the emergency management process is discussed. An emergency brings together a team of people representing different organizations, resources and roles. The extended team needs to work together effectively and in such a way that the team members support each others' objectives even when they have never before worked together. A user-centric systemic approach is required with a major emphasis on user requirements driving technological developments. Technology is important in extending the human capabilities to cope with either natural or man-made disasters. The human as part of the system, the computer as part of the team, and both the computer and the human working with other people and other computer systems in other agencies, should share information and work together to manage the emergency, mitigate the effects, and to support the victims after the event.