Wildland firefighter entrapment avoidance: modelling evacuation triggers

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory K. Fryer ◽  
Philip E. Dennison ◽  
Thomas J. Cova
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Firefighter Safety ◽  
Fire Environment ◽  
Physically Based ◽  
Tactical Decisions ◽  
Insufficient Knowledge ◽  
Potential Tool

Wildland firefighters are often called on to make tactical decisions under stressful conditions in order to suppress a fire. These decisions can be hindered by human factors such as insufficient knowledge of surroundings and conditions, lack of experience, overextension of resources or loss of situational awareness. One potential tool for assisting fire managers in situations where human factors can hinder decision-making is the Wildland–Urban Interface Evacuation (WUIVAC) model, which models fire minimum travel times to create geographic trigger buffers for evacuation recommendations. Utilising multiple combinations of escape routes and fire environment inputs based on the 2007 Zaca fire in California, USA, we created trigger buffers for firefighter evacuations on foot, by engine and by heavy mechanised equipment (i.e. bulldozer). Our primary objective was to examine trigger buffer sensitivity to evacuation mode and expected weather and fuel conditions. Evacuation travel time was the most important factor for determining the size and extent of modelled trigger buffers. For the examined scenarios, we show that WUIVAC can provide analytically driven, physically based triggers that can assist in entrapment avoidance and ultimately contribute to firefighter safety.

scholarly journals CyberOps: Situational Awareness in Cybersecurity Operations

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-107
Author(s):  
Cyril Onwubiko ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Policy Process ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Human Operator ◽  
Integration Architecture ◽  
National Economic ◽  
Operational Factors ◽  
Conducive Environment

Cybersecurity operations (CyberOps) is the use and application of cybersecurity capabilities to a domain, department, organisation or nation. It is fundamentally to protect digital investments, contribute to national economic wellbeing by providing a safe, secure and conducive environment to conduct business and to protect a nation’s critical national infrastructures and citizens welfare. In this paper, we investigate operational factors that influence situational awareness of CyberOps, specifically, the features that deals with understanding and comprehension of operational and human factors aspects and that helps with insights on human operator decision making (e.g., cognition, teamwork, knowledge, skills and abilities). The operational factors discussed in this paper range from tools, techniques, integration, architecture to automation, cognition, people, policy, process and procedures.

Emergency (911) Dispatcher Decision Making: Ecological Display Development

1995 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 506-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Jay Shively
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Task Analysis ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Time Pressure ◽  
Spatial Relationship ◽  
Design Constraints ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Emergency Dispatchers

Emergency dispatchers must make complex life or death decisions under extreme time pressure. Using Ecological Task Analysis (ETA), a technique normally applied to aerospace human factors problems, a new display was designed that would better assist their decision making task. The major design constraints were identified to be the beat number and priority of incidents, available units, and the spatial relationship of the those units to the incident. Using these and other less formal factors, a GUI interface was designed and an evaluation was conducted at the Richmond, CA police dispatch center. The results suggest that the GUI display may reduce training times and increase situational awareness.

Crisis management and human factors

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Simon Mercer
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Mental Models ◽  
Crisis Management ◽  
Psychological Stress ◽  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Best Practice Guidelines ◽  
National Quality

This first chapter explains how human factors affect the management of crises. The roles human factors play in the management of emergencies and crisis situations are becoming increasingly recognized in healthcare, having gained political momentum following a concordat from the National Quality Board in 2013. A framework is presented for emergency preparation, including standard operating procedures, checklists, allocation of roles, preparing equipment and drugs, sharing mental models, and communicating with support specialists. During the incident the focus is on situational awareness, leadership and teamwork, communication, and decision-making. Post-event debriefing is discussed with the joint goals of addressing psychological stress and learning for the future. Also provided are links to available up-to-date best-practice guidelines and useful resources for further reading.

Human Factors Issues in Advanced Moving-map Systems

2000 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Ruffner ◽  
Maura C. Lohrenz ◽  
Michael E. Trenchard
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
User Interface ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Relevant Research ◽  
Key Issues

Vector-based maps are an advanced capability of digital moving-map systems that are easily customised and can be powerful aids to aircrew information processing and decision-making. However, they may place excessive demands on an aircrew's information processing requirements, cause an increase in workload, and degrade situational awareness if the user interface is not designed properly. There is little information available about the human factors and situational awareness issues relevant to vector-based maps. In this paper, we summarise relevant research on human factors and situational awareness aspects of using vector-based maps, identify key issues, and recommend directions for future research.

Did Groupthink or Polythink Derail the 2016 Raqqa Offensive?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasey Barr ◽  
Alex Mintz
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Study Analysis ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
The Us ◽  
Tactical Decisions

This chapter examines the effect of group dynamics on the 2016 decision within the administration of President Barack Obama to lead the international coalition in a mission to liberate Raqqa, Syria, from the Islamic State. The authors show that whereas the groupthink syndrome characterized the decision-making process of the US-led coalition’s decision to attack Raqqa, it was polythink that characterized the decision-making dynamics both in the US-led coalition and within the inner circle of Obama’s own foreign policy advisors. Through case-study analysis, the authors illustrate that groupthink is more likely in strategic decisions, whereas polythink is more likely in tactical decisions.

A Lesson on Human Factors in Airway Management Learnt From the Death of George Washington

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (5) ◽  
pp. 1000-1002
Author(s):  
Ahmad K. Abou-Foul
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Airway Management ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Resistance To Change ◽  
Change Leadership ◽  
Acute Epiglottitis ◽  
George Washington ◽  
Leadership Model ◽  
Factors Analysis ◽  
Human Factors Analysis

On December 14, 1799, 3 prominent physicians—Craik, Brown, and Dick—gathered to examine America’s first president, George Washington. He was complaining of severe throat symptoms and was being treated with bloodletting, blistering, and enemas. Dick advised performing an immediate tracheotomy to secure the airway. Both Craik and Brown were not keen on trying tracheotomy and overruled that proposal. Washington was not involved in making that decision. He most likely had acute epiglottitis that proved to be fatal at the end. If Dick had prevailed, a tracheotomy could have saved Washington’s life. Human factors analysis of these events shows that his physicians were totally fixated on repeating futile treatments and could not comprehend the need for a radical alternative, like tracheotomy. That was aggravated by an impaired situational awareness and significant resistance to change. Leadership model was also based on hierarchy instead of competency, which might have also contributed to Washington’s death.

Evaluations for New Healthcare Environment Commissioning and Operational Decision Making Using Simulation and Human Factors: A Case Study of an Interventional Trauma Operating Room

2021 ◽  
pp. 193758672199966
Author(s):  
Mirette Dubé ◽  
Jason Laberge ◽  
Elaine Sigalet ◽  
Jonas Shultz ◽  
Christine Vis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Operating Room ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Healthcare Team ◽  
Healthcare Environment ◽  
New Process ◽  
Timely Access ◽  
Operational Decision Making

Purpose: The aim of this article is to provide a case study example of the preopening phase of an interventional trauma operating room (ITOR) using systems-focused simulation and human factor evaluations for healthcare environment commissioning. Background: Systems-focused simulation, underpinned by human factors science, is increasingly being used as a quality improvement tool to test and evaluate healthcare spaces with the stakeholders that use them. Purposeful real-to-life simulated events are rehearsed to allow healthcare teams opportunity to identify what is working well and what needs improvement within the work system such as tasks, environments, and processes that support the delivery of healthcare services. This project highlights salient evaluation objectives and methods used within the clinical commissioning phase of one of the first ITORs in Canada. Methods: A multistaged evaluation project to support clinical commissioning was facilitated engaging 24 stakeholder groups. Key evaluation objectives highlighted include the evaluation of two transport routes, switching of operating room (OR) tabletops, the use of the C-arm, and timely access to lead in the OR. Multiple evaluation methods were used including observation, debriefing, time-based metrics, distance wheel metrics, equipment adjustment counts, and other transport route considerations. Results: The evaluation resulted in several types of data that allowed for informed decision making for the most effective, efficient, and safest transport route for an exsanguinating trauma patient and healthcare team; improved efficiencies in use of the C-arm, significantly reduced the time to access lead; and uncovered a new process for switching OR tabletop due to safety threats identified.

scholarly journals Decision Making from the Experience of Orthognathic Surgery Patients: A Grounded Theory Approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 238008442110144
Author(s):  
N.R. Paul ◽  
S.R. Baker ◽  
B.J. Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Major Surgery ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Theory Approach

Introduction: Patients’ decisions to undergo major surgery such as orthognathic treatment are not just about how the decision is made but what influences the decision. Objectives: The primary objective of the study was to identify the key processes involved in patients’ experience of decision making for orthognathic treatment. Methods: This study reports some of the findings of a larger grounded theory study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews of patients who were seen for orthognathic treatment at a teaching hospital in the United Kingdom. Twenty-two participants were recruited (age range 18–66 y), of whom 12 (male = 2, female = 10) were 6 to 8 wk postsurgery, 6 (male = 2, female = 4) were in the decision-making stage, and 4 (male = 0, female = 4) were 1 to 2 y postsurgery. Additional data were also collected from online blogs and forums on jaw surgery. The data analysis stages of grounded theory methodology were undertaken, including open and selective coding. Results: The study identified the central role of dental care professionals (DCPs) in several underlying processes associated with decision making, including legitimating, mediating, scheduling, projecting, and supporting patients’ decisions. Six categories were related to key aspects of decision making. These were awareness about their underlying dentofacial problems and treatment options available, the information available about the treatment, the temporality of when surgery would be undertaken, the motivations and expectation of patients, social support, and fear of the surgery, hospitalization, and potentially disliking their new face. Conclusion: The decision-making process for orthognathic treatment is complex, multifactorial, and heavily influenced by the role of DCPs in patient care. Understanding the magnitude of this role will enable DCPs to more clearly participate in improving patients’ decision-making process. The findings of this study can inform future quantitative studies. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study can be used both for informing clinical practice around enabling decision making for orthognathic treatment and also for designing future research. The findings can better inform clinicians about the importance of their role in the patients’ decision-making process for orthognathic treatment and the means to improve the patient experience. It is suggested that further research could be conducted to measure some of the key constructs identified within our grounded theory and assess how these change during the treatment process.

scholarly journals 764 Human Factors in Operative Theatres During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Analysis of Operating Theatre Staff Experiences in a Regional Centre

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
L E Murchison ◽  
R Anbarasan ◽  
A Mathur ◽  
M Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Operating Theatre ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Theatre Staff

Abstract Introduction In the already high-risk, high-stress environment of the operating theatre, operating during Covid-19 has brought its own unique challenges. Communication, teamwork and anxiety related new operating practices secondary to Covid-19 are hypothesised to have a negative impact on patient care. Method We conducted a single-centre online survey of operating theatre staff from 22nd June–6th July 2020. Respondents completed 18 human factors questions related to COVID-19 precautions including communication, teamwork, situational awareness, decision making, stress, fatigue, work environment and organisational culture. Questions consisted of yes/no responses, multiple choice and Likert items. Kruskall-Wallis tests, Chi-Squared, Mann Whitney U tests, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, lambda and Cramer’s V tests were used. Free-text responses were also reviewed. Results 116 theatre staff responded. Visual (90.5%), hearing/ understanding (96.6%) difficulties, feeling faint/lightheaded (66.4%) and stress (47.8%) were reported. Decreased situational awareness was reported by 71.5% and correlated with visors (r = 0.27 and p = 0.03) and FFP2/3 mask usage (r = 0.29 and p = 0.01). Reduced efficiency of theatre teams was reported by 75% of respondents and 21.5% felt patient safety was at greater risk due to Covid-19 precautions in theatre. Conclusions Organisational adjustments are required, and research focused on development of fit-for-purpose personal protective equipment (PPE).

scholarly journals The INUS Platform: A Modular Solution for Object Detection and Tracking from UAVs and Terrestrial Surveillance Assets

Computation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Evangelos Maltezos ◽  
Athanasios Douklias ◽  
Aris Dadoukis ◽  
Fay Misichroni ◽  
Lazaros Karagiannidis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Object Detection ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Measurement Instruments ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Modular Architecture ◽  
Seamless Integration ◽  
Object Detection And Tracking ◽  
Detection And Tracking

Situational awareness is a critical aspect of the decision-making process in emergency response and civil protection and requires the availability of up-to-date information on the current situation. In this context, the related research should not only encompass developing innovative single solutions for (real-time) data collection, but also on the aspect of transforming data into information so that the latter can be considered as a basis for action and decision making. Unmanned systems (UxV) as data acquisition platforms and autonomous or semi-autonomous measurement instruments have become attractive for many applications in emergency operations. This paper proposes a multipurpose situational awareness platform by exploiting advanced on-board processing capabilities and efficient computer vision, image processing, and machine learning techniques. The main pillars of the proposed platform are: (1) a modular architecture that exploits unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and terrestrial assets; (2) deployment of on-board data capturing and processing; (3) provision of geolocalized object detection and tracking events; and (4) a user-friendly operational interface for standalone deployment and seamless integration with external systems. Experimental results are provided using RGB and thermal video datasets and applying novel object detection and tracking algorithms. The results show the utility and the potential of the proposed platform, and future directions for extension and optimization are presented.

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