Presentation to NYC IxDA on July 12, 2012 covering the role of designers and information architects in emergency response planning, tools and

1. The Information Architecture of
Emergency Response
(for Designers)
Noreen Y. Whysel
NYC IxDA
July 12, 2012

2. NYC GeoSymposium
2001-2011-2021

3. Ground Zero, September 11, 2001
Source: U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Eric J. Tilford (Wikipedia)

4. Firefighters, September 11, 2001
Source: CNN

5. Man covered with ashes assisting a woman walking and holding a particle mask to her face, following the
September 11th terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, New York City
Source: Don Halesy, Library of Congress (Wikipedia)

6. Agenda:
• Keynote: Mapping Evidence, Edward Tufte
• 2001: Geospatial tools and techniques in
9/11 response and recovery
• 2001-2011: Pervasive GIS, citywide
geospatial implementations and
developments
• 2011-2021: Opportunities and challenges
for future integration across NYC
government
Full Agenda: http://www.convergemag.com/cdg-events/NYCGeoSymposium.html

7. Office of Emergency Management
Services:
• Plans and prepares for emergencies
• Coordinates emergency response and recovery
• Collects and disseminates emergency information
• Educates the public about preparedness
Personnel:
• Responders
• Planners
• Watch commanders
• Administrative and support staff
Citywide Incident Management System (CIMS)

8. 7 WTC: Emergency Operations Center
• Located close to City Hall and agencies
Generators Computer hardware
Backup generators Telephones
Water supply Radios
Ventilation system Uninterruptible power supplies
• GIS software and facilities data
Flood zones Schools
Evacuation routes Hospitals
Emergency transp. routes Nursing homes
Shelter locations
• Evacuation and collapse
– Redundant systems were lost or unavailable

9. 9/11/01: A Turning Point
• A turning point in the way the City approaches data
access and interoperability of systems
• Catalyst for cooperation and public engagement
• The imperative to improve data flow at least
between agencies was clear
New York City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) set up at Pier 92 on the Hudson River
following the 9/11 attacks.
Source: ArcNews

10. What is an Emergency
Response Sytem?

11. Common Elements of an
Emergency Response System
• People
• Measurement tools/devices
• Data/Information Systems
• Communication
• Response

12. Emergency Response System
• Ladder Companies, Engine
Companies, Fire Marshalls,
Special Operations
• In-Car Radio, information
systems, scanners, cameras,
maps
• Temperature, presence of
smoke or other toxic fumes
• 911 call, dispatch, additional
services, reporting
• Fire suppression, rescue,
investigation, EMS

13. Emergency Response System
National Incident Management System, December 2008
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security

14. Emergency Response System
• Mother and baby
• Thermometer
• Temperature reading
• Call to Doctor or 911
• Home treatment, doctor visit
or ambulance

15. People (and organizations)
Emergency Management
Information Systems
Person in Need First Responders
Emergency Response System

16. Mental Model for an
Emergency Response System
Something Someone Emergency Aid is given Forms,
BAD calls for help responder Forms,
happens arrives Forms
(Based loosely on Mental Models by Indi Young, Rosenfeld Media)

17. Develop Policies
Drills and simulations
Maps
Forms
Comm
Planning
Monitor conditions
Issue Warning Alerts
Maps
Forms
Comm
Event
Incident occurs
Dispatch response units
Maps
Forms
Comm
Dispatch
Establish command
Determine hazards
Create restricted zones
Maps
Forms
Comm
Assessment
Locate victim/survivors
Mitigate hazards
Maps
Forms
Comm
Rescue/
Assistance
Recovery
Apprehension
Investigation
Maps
Forms
Comm
Emergency Response Incident Model
Debriefing
Post-Event

18. CIMS: Citywide Incident
Management System (2005)
• Response Framework
– Roles and responsibilities
– Chain of command by core competency
– Common processes
– Common vocabularies
– Common organizational structure
• Allows for Continuity of Operations
• Complies with National Incident Management System
• Compatible with other states and federal agency
systems

19. Emergency Response
Technologies

20. OEM Technologies
• Command Facilities
• Maps and Imaging
• Sensors and Devices
• Communications
• Apps and Information Systems

21. Command Facilities
Emergency Operations Center (2006)
Source: NYC Office of Emergency Management, NYC.gov

22. Command Facilities
Emergency Operations Center Plan
Podium
Human Services and x Utilities
External Affairs GIS DoITT, OEM, Verizon,
DOE, SHA, MOIA, HRA, ARC, ConEdison, LIPA, ISO,
x x NYS Power Association
OEM, CUNY, DFTA, CERT,
311, CAU
Watch Command
x x
Situation Room
Health and Medical Infrastructure
24x7 operation
OEM Staff
EOC Manager
GNYHA, OCME, HHC, NYS OEM, DEP, HPD, DDC, DCAS,
glass wall
x x
glass wall
DOH, VA, REMSCO, EMS, US ACE, Parks, DSNY, DOB
FDNY
Public Safety x x Private Sector
Courts, MTA PD, Sheriff, NYPD, OEM, BOMA, Universities,
USCG, NG, FBI, DHS, PAPD, x x Consumer Affairs, HANYC,
OEM SIFMA, REBNY, SBS, NYS INS,
x Admin x NYS Bank, NYSE
Logistics National/Regional
Transportation x
TLC, TRANSCOM, PATH, NYS DOT, FEMA, NYS OEM, WEST, NAS,
OEM, Amtrak, NJT, MNRR, LIRR, SUF, PA OEM, NJSP, OMB,
MTA LAW, NWS, OEM Logistics
x = OEM staff

23. Command Facilities
Watch Command Center (2006)

24. Command Facilities
FDNY Emergency Operations Center

25. Command Facilities
Enhanced 911 Call Center
Source: New York City Police Department press release, January 5, 2012.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/pr/pr_2012_01_05_psac_911.shtml

26. Command Facilities
OEM Mobile Command Centers
Interagency Command Center Mobile Data Center
Interagency Communications Vehicle Mobile CIMS Center

27. Command Facilities
Mobile Data Center (2003)

28. Maps and Imaging
• NYCMAP: Basemap of NYC
including streets, building
footprint, some infrastructure
• Infrastructure maps: Department
of Buildings, Con Ed (power
company), Department of
Environmental Protection,
Department of Transportation
• LIDAR imaging
• Thermal imaging
• Aerial and satellite imagery

29. Maps and Imaging
NYCityMap (2006)
http://gis.nyc.gov/doitt/nycitymap/

30. Maps and Imaging
LIDAR
LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) Images of WTC
Source: NOAA/U.S. Army JPSD
For more images see Charting Ground Zero: Ten Years After
http://www.woodwardgallery.net/exhibitions/9_11.html

31. Maps and Imaging
Thermal Imaging
WTC – Thermal Imagery, September 16, 2001
Source: New York State, Office for Technology (c2001) and EarthData International.

32. Maps and Imaging
Oblique Angle Aerial Photography

33. Sensors and Devices
• Handheld GPS devices
• Field input devices, tablets, digital pens
• Seismographic, thermal sensors
• Biometric (portable fingerprint scanner, etc.)
• Chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear (CBRN)
• Motion sensors for traffic, structural integrity
• Cameras
• Dogs (chemical traces, human survivors)
• Eyes and ears

34. Sensors and Devices
Source (clockwise): History Channel, Gizmag.com and Lamont Dougherty, AP, HGVI (via bioprepwatch.com),
Adapx.com, Oceanscan-mst.com, LinksPoint.com

35. Communications
• Telephony, 911, 311, 511
(MTA Info)
• NYCWiN: Wireless network
• Mobile phones/devices
• Radio
• Websites, SMS, Twitter,
Facebook
• Ready NY Guides
• Emergency
Communications
Transformation Program With land lines down and mobile
(E911) systems overloaded, the BlackBerry
phone was one of the few unimpeded
methods of communication that worked
in the aftermath of 9/11.

36. Communications
Enhanced 911
• Emergency Communications Transformation
program introduced in 2004 after the 2003 blackout
• Streamlines emergency call taking, communication
and response times via:
– Single operator
– Improved texting capabilities
– Geolocation for VoIP/mobile services
– System interoperability
• Public Safety Answering Center
– I: Brooklyn (January 2012)
– II: Bronx (estimated 2015)
• Issue: Completed at $1 Billion over budget

37. Communications
Enhanced 911 Call Center
Source: Nashville.gov, Motorola VESTA e911 system.
http://www.nashville.gov/ecc/operations.asp

38. Communications
Next Generation 911
• Standardized interfaces
• Call processing (voice, text, data, multimedia)
• Data integration for routing and handling
• Delivers calls, messages and data to answering
points and first responders
• Supports data and video communications
• Provides broadband services to public safety
answering points and first responders

39. Communications
NYC Wireless Network
• NYCWiN network allows all the pieces to fit together
• Access to city, state and federal databases and GIS
• Warrant and license checks
• Mobile ID (fingerprint, mugshots and biometrics)
• Stream on-scene, live video to command centers and
Mayor’s office , telemedicine videoconferencing

40. Communications
Public Initiatives
• 311 call center
• Ready NY Guides
• Notify NYC/Social Media
• Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT)

41. Communications
Notify NYC
• Staffed by OEM Watch
Commanders
• Twitter and RSS
• Localized messages via
phone, email, SMS
• Taxi notification and
electronic road signs
operated by Dept of
Transportation.
• Emergency Alert System
broadcasts severe
emergency information
via TV and radio.

42. Communications
Social Media

43. Information Systems
• E911 Call Center Systems
• Situational Awareness for Field Response System
• Citywide Asset and Logistics Management System
• Unified Victim Identification System
Source:

44. Information Systems
Situational Awareness for Field
Response System (2010)
Active Incident Dashboard
Emergency Response Data Packet Generator
http://www.urisa.org/files/NYC_OEM_ESIG_2010.pdf

45. Case Study:
Hudson River Parkway
Wall Collapse

46. Hudson River Parkway Wall Collapse
Henry Hudson Parkway Wall Collapses, May 12, 2005
Source: The Gothamist

47. Elements of Response to a Wall
Collapse Incident
• People – victims, OEM, NYPD, FDNY, DOT, DOS, DOB, CAU,
CERT, Tri-Borough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, Columbia
University, Salvation Army, Red Cross, private hauling
• Measurement tool/devices – seismographic sensors, thermal
and satellite imaging, search dogs
• Data/Information Systems – seismographic data, GIS,
infrastructure maps, pictometry
• Communication – radio communications, 911, ICC-1 mayoral
briefings, agency planning meetings
• Response – rescue, recovery, Citywide Incident Management
System (CIMS), safety zone, evacuation, debris removal,
stability tests, community assistance/temporary housing

48. Open Government

49. Road Map for the Digital City (2011)
• Rachel Sterne, NYC Chief
Digital Officer
• Outlines City’s plans for
– Access
– Open Government
– Public Engagement
– Industry
• Open Data Mandate, signed
April 2012

50. Open Data Initiatives

51. Open Data Initiatives
NYC BigApps 3.0 Winner - NYC Facets: Smart Open Data Exchange
http://nyc.pediacities.com/facets

52. App Contests and Hackathons

53. Opportunities for Designers
in Emergency Response

54. Thinking in Systems
• Elements of an Emergency Response System
– People
– Measurement tools/devices
– Data/Information Systems
– Communication
– Response
• Emergency Response Frameworks
– Command Structure (NIMS, CIMS)
– Common Operating Procedures

55. Role of Information Architecture
Q. Please comment on the role of Information Architecture in your practice.
• Do not employ “Information Architects”
• Employ people who do IA tasks
“We don't have staff with that title, “Yes, we employ IAs... broadly
but many in engineering and IT that do speaking, we have back-end systems
attempt to influence [IA], with a lot of GIS folks who clean up and produce
chaos as a result.” the RSDA tool, and front-line GIS
--MTA Design Manager folks who report the data, and
produce maps for first-responders.”
--NY State DOT Employee

56. Digital Tools and First Responders
Q. What issues are most pressing in providing digital tools to first responders?
• Ease-of-use
• Accuracy of Data
• Interoperability
• Compatibility with legacy systems
“Getting away from the ‘technical “Metadata isn't as key as immediacy
user’ mentality and providing in emergency situations, and accuracy
information through tools/interfaces is important in as much as it helps
that first responders are already make decisions, but in emergencies,
familiar with, i.e. Google Maps, Google situations are fluid.”
Earth, simple apps, etc.” --NY State DOT Employee
--Google Earth consultant

57. Requirements vs Delivery Gaps
Q. Please comment on any gaps between the requirements of digital
applications for first responders and what is delivered by digital designers?
• Simplicity/Ease of use (again)
• Coverage
• Redundancy
“The digital designers frequently come “If power and communications
from a complicated technical mindset are out, remote sensing may not
that overloads on the options. Users work, so road conditions are
want simplicity and familiarity.” brought in via first-responders
--Google Earth Consultant and then rebuilt using the NYS
RSDA (Road Status and Damage
Assessment) tool.”
--NY State DOT Employee

58. Enhancing Geospatial Applications
• Infrastructure Layer Integration: visualizing water, sewer,
electric steam, gas, telecommunications, transit, etc.
• Building Information Management: visualizing building
infrastructure and security
• Crowd Sourced Data: engaging the public to provide data to
support emergency operations
• Field Data Collection and Communications: On-the-scene
data collection by first responders across many agencies
• Common Operating Picture/Situational Awareness: Ability to
access and share data in real time across wide geographic
areas
Source: NYC Office of Emergency Management

59. Managing Expectations
• Data format - Does it work with your system? Is the
data in a standard format or will it need to be
converted for interoperablity?
• Definitions - Make sure the vocabulary used by the
data source matches up with your understanding
and use. Acronyms and codes can be confusing.
• Licensing - Are there restrictions on how the data
can be used or whether it can be shared?
• Cost – Are you prepared for cost of data security and
maintenance? Can you economize?
• Users – Do users understand appropriate uses? Do
you take into account all uses?

60. What’s Happening Now?
• NYC and Nationally
– Open Data Mandate
– Fully Integrated, Next Generation 911
– The Future of NYCWiN locally, broadband nationally
– NYC as a Tech Center
• Worldwide
– Crowdsourcing
– Integrated Handheld Devices
– Open Source Toolkits
– Mashup Applications
– Simulation
– 3D Visualization

61. Crowdsourcing
Open Street Map – Haiti Project

62. Open Source Toolkit
Google Crisis Response
http://www.google.org/crisisresponse/

63. Open Source Toolkit
Ushahidi Platform
http://www.ushahidi.com

64. Integrated Handheld Devices
FiRST Bomb Response
• IED/HAZMAT information
• Current and forecasted
weather information
• Road network data
• Email, phone, Google Maps
and Search
• iPhone/iPad, Android, and
Window PC
• $12 mobile, $100 PC
• Restricted to .gov, .mil
and .us users
• Released June 26, 2012
Source: Department of Homeland Security, Science & Technology Directorate
http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/st-smartphone-app-bomb-threats.shtm

65. Mashup Applications
• Integrating social media
with maps and sensors
– USGS Earthquake TED system
uses Twitter
– Machine readable Twitter
hashtags
• Organizing response via
social media
– Times Picayune’s Katrina
bulletin board
– Red Cross Joplin Tornado
project on Facebook
Tweak the Tweet: proposed by
– OEM Facebook updates Karen Starbird, PhD student at
• Handheld applications University of Colorado, 2009
“Random Hacks of Kindness”
– Inventory, geolocation conference was put to use in Haiti.
– Language translation White Paper, “The Case for Integrating Crisis
Response with Social Media, ” Red Cross

66. Virtual Volunteering
Humanity Road Hashboard

67. Simulation Exercises
QuickNets Situational Awareness Tool
Partners: Humanity Road, Rogue Genius, GeoIQ, Sahana Software Foundation

68. 3D Visualization
Geoweb3D Geographic Data
Source: Geoweb3D, GIS Services

69. 3D Visualization
Geoweb3D Live Video Integration
Source: Geoweb3D, GIS Services

70. Thank You!
• nwhysel@gmail.com
• http://nwhysel.blogspot.com
• @nwhysel on Twitter

71. Resources
Organizations and Meetups
• ESRI Dev Meetup Group – Northeast:
http://www.meetup.com/DevMeetUpNortheast/
• GISMO
http://www.geography.hunter.cuny.edu/gismo/
• NY Data Visualization and Infographics
http://www.meetup.com/New-York-Datavisualization-and-
Infographics/
• NY Location Based Apps Meetup
http://www.meetup.com/LocationApps/
• New York City GIS & Cartography
http://www.meetup.com/nycgis/
• NYC Office of Emergency Management
http://www.nyc.gov/oem/

72. Resources
Publications
• Digital Communities: www.digitalcommunities.com
• Emergency Management: www.emergencymgmt.com
• Federal Computer Week: fcw.com
• Government Technology: www.govtech.com
• O’Reilly Radar Gov 2.0: radar.oreilly.com/gov2

73. Resources
Featured Tools - Government
• Data.gov: www.data.gov
• FEMA NIMS Framework: www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/
• Notify NYC: http://www.nyc.gov/notifynyc
• NYC CIMS Framework:
www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/about/about_cims.shtml
• NYCityMap: http://www.nyc.gov/citymap/
• NYC Digital Roadmap:
www.nyc.gov/html/digital/html/roadmap/roadmap.shtml
• Socrata (govt open data platform): www.socrata.com

74. Resources
Featured Tools – Commercial
• ArcGIS Explorer: explorer.arcgis.com
• Adaptx Digital Pen: www.adaptx.com
• Geoweb3D: www.geoweb3D.com
• Linkspoint GPS: www.linkspoint.com
• Motorola E9-1-1 Systems: www.motorola.com
• OceanScan: http://www.oceanscan-mst.com/
• Smiths Detection: www.smithsdetection.com/HGVI.php

75. Resources
Featured Tools – Nonprofit
• Google Crisis Response: www.google.org/crisisresponse
• Humanity Road: www.humanityroad.org
• Open Street Map: www.openstreetmap.org
• QuickNets: www.quick-nets.org
• Ushahidi: www.ushahidi.org

76. Resources
Hackathons and Application Contests
• Big Apps 3.0 Contest: http://www.nycbigapps.com/
• Challenge.gov: http://www.challenge.gov
• Change by Us: http://nyc.changeby.us/
• Code for America: http://www.codeforamerica.org/
• Hack for Change: http://www.change.org/
• Reinvent Green: http://www.nyc.gov/reinventgreen/