Assessment of communication needs for emergency management officials in high-consequence emergencies

Authors

  • Pamela McCauley-Bush, PhD
  • Mohammad Jeelani, BS, MS
  • Susan Gaines, BS, MS
  • Llewelyn Curling, PhD
  • Philip Armbrister, BS, MS
  • Arturo Watlington, BS, MS
  • Renaldo Major, BS
  • Lorneska Rolle, BS
  • Sarah Cohen, BS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2012.0083

Keywords:

communication, disaster response, emergency management, cellular phones, usability, humancentered, wireless communication, human factors

Abstract

Objective: To identify the communication needs for Bahamian emergency management officials using wireless technology to support emergency-related activities.
Design: This study began with literature review, a focus group interview, and a paper-based survey of emergency management officials.
Setting: Focus group interview was held at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) office in Nassau, Bahamas, with subject matter experts (SMEs). A survey was conducted in which 31 Bahamian emergency management officials had participated. Data were compiled and analyzed at the University of Central Florida (UCF).
Subjects and participants: A focus group consisting of 14 SMEs representing NEMA, emergency support functions, and affiliated organizations. Thirty-one Bahamian emergency management officials including 14 SMEs participated in the survey.
Interventions: Professors at the College of The Bahamas and UCF read and gave input at each phase of the study, as well as final review in the form of thesis defense at UCF.
Main outcome measures: A list of communication needs for emergency management officials in high-consequence emergency management situations was compiled.
Results: Identified communication needs include an improved wireless communication infrastructure, official implementation of wireless devices for use in emergencies, and devices with improved durability, usability, and functionality.
Conclusions: The surveys and interviews with officials proved to be an effective technique for identifying user problems, difficulties, and preferences with wireless handheld communication devices and telecommunication systems. This methodology can be used to identify the communication needs for emergency management officials around the globe.

Author Biographies

Pamela McCauley-Bush, PhD

Associate Professor, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Mohammad Jeelani, BS, MS

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Susan Gaines, BS, MS

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Llewelyn Curling, PhD

Professor of Technology, The College of The Bahamas, Oakes Field, Nassau, The Bahamas.

Philip Armbrister, BS, MS

Assistant Professor of Technology, The College of The Bahamas, Oakes Field, Nassau, The Bahamas.

Arturo Watlington, BS, MS

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Renaldo Major, BS

Undergraduate Research Assistant, The College of The Bahamas, Oakes Field, Nassau, The Bahamas.

Lorneska Rolle, BS

Undergraduate Research Assistant, The College of The Bahamas, Oakes Field, Nassau, The Bahamas.

Sarah Cohen, BS

Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

References

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International Telecommunication Union: The World in 2009: ITC Facts and Figures. 2010. Available at http://www.itu.int/ITUD/ict/material/Telecom09_flyer.pdf. Accessed July 18, 2010.

Meissner A, Luckenbach T, Risse T, et al.: Design Challenges for an Integrated Disaster Management Communication and Information System. Paper presented at The First IEEE Workshop on Disaster Recovery Networks (DIREN 2002), New York, NY, June 24, 2002.

Jones E: The Bahamas National Hurricane Response: 2004 Report on Findings. Prepared for United Nations Development Program. 2005.

National Emergency Management Agency: The Bahamas Disaster Preparedness and Response Policy Review. 2010.

Alexander D, Klein S: First responders after disasters: A review of stress reactions, at-risk, vulnerability, and resilience factors. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2009; 24920: 87-94.

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Published

01/01/2012

How to Cite

McCauley-Bush, PhD, P., M. Jeelani, BS, MS, S. Gaines, BS, MS, L. Curling, PhD, P. Armbrister, BS, MS, A. Watlington, BS, MS, R. Major, BS, L. Rolle, BS, and S. Cohen, BS. “Assessment of Communication Needs for Emergency Management Officials in High-Consequence Emergencies”. Journal of Emergency Management, vol. 10, no. 1, Jan. 2012, pp. 15-25, doi:10.5055/jem.2012.0083.