scholarly journals Communication Structures and Decision Making Cues and Criteria to Support Effective Drought Warning in Central Malawi

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexia Calvel ◽  
Micha Werner ◽  
Marc van den Homberg ◽  
Andrés Cabrera Flamini ◽  
Ileen Streefkerk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Early Action

Early warning systems trigger early action and enable better disaster preparedness. People-centered dissemination and communication are pivotal for the effective uptake of early warnings. Current research predominantly focuses on sudden-onset hazards, such as floods, ignoring considerable differences with slow-onset hazards, such as droughts. We identify the essential factors contributing to effective drought dissemination and communication using the people-centered approach advocated in the WMOs Multi-Hazard Early Warning System Framework (MHEWS). We use semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and focus group discussions with small-scale farmers in the Mangochi and Salima Districts of Malawi. We show that the timely release of seasonal forecast, the tailoring of the drought warning content (and its timing) to agricultural decision making, and the provision of several dissemination channels enhance trust and improve uptake of drought warning information by farmers. Our analysis demonstrates that farmers seek, prepare, and respond to drought warning information when it is provided as advice on agricultural practices, rather than as weather-related information. The information was found to be useful where it offers advice on the criteria and environmental cues that farmers can use to inform their decisions in a timely manner. Based on our findings, we propose that by focusing on enhancing trust, improving information uptake and financial sustainability as key metrics, the MHEWS can be adapted for use in monitoring the effectiveness of early warning systems.

scholarly journals Communicating Complex Forecasts for Enhanced Early Warning in Nepal

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirianna Budimir ◽  
Amy Donovan ◽  
Sarah Brown ◽  
Puja Shakya ◽  
Dilip Gautam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Warning ◽  
Lead Time ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Deterministic Models ◽  
Early Action ◽  
Probabilistic Forecasts ◽  
Barriers And Challenges

Abstract. Early warning systems have the potential to save lives and improve resilience. Simple early warning systems rely on real-time data and deterministic models to generate evacuation warnings; these simple deterministic models enable life-saving action, but provide limited lead time for resilience-building early action. More complex early warning systems supported by forecasts, including probabilistic forecasts, can provide additional lead time for preparation. However, barriers and challenges remain in disseminating and communicating these more complex warnings to community members and individuals at risk. Research was undertaken to analyse and understand the current early warning system in Nepal, considering available data and forecasts, information flows, early warning dissemination and decision making for early action. The research reviewed the availability and utilisation of complex forecasts in Nepal, their integration into dissemination (Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) bulletins and SMS warnings), and decision support tools (Common Alerting Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures), considering their impact on improving early action to increase the resilience of vulnerable communities to flooding.

Towards improving a national flood early warning system with global ensemble flood predictions and local knowledge; a case study on the Lower Shire Valley in Malawi.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thirza Teule ◽  
Anaïs Couasnon ◽  
Kostas Bischiniotis ◽  
Julia Blasch ◽  
Marc van den Homberg
Keyword(s):  
Local Knowledge ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
National Level ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Early Action ◽  
Disastrous Flood

<p>Flood risk, a function of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability, is increasing globally and has led to more and more disastrous flood events. Previous research has shown that taking early action is much more cost-effective than responding once the flood occurs. Such an anticipatory approach requires flood early warning systems (EWS) that provide ample lead time and that have sufficient spatial resolution. However, in developing countries, often the skill of available forecasts is insufficient to create a more effective triggering mechanism as part of a flood EWS.</p><p>This research presents an assessment of two methods to improve an existing flood EWS using a case study of the most flood-prone area of Malawi, i.e. the Lower Shire Valley. First, the forecast skill and trigger levels of the medium-term Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS) model are determined for four gauge locations to assess how they can improve the national EWS. Secondly, an assessment is done on how the process of integrating flood forecasts based on local knowledge with official forecasts, can help to improve the EWS. This is done by semi-structured interviews at the national level and focus group discussions at the community level. The study shows that GloFAS does not predict absolute discharge values precisely, but can be used to predict floods if the correct trigger levels are set per location. The integration of multiple forecast sources is found to be useful at both national and community levels. An integration process is proposed where village stakeholders should take the leading role by using existing disaster management and civil protection coordination mechanisms. Overall, both methods can contribute to improving the flood EWS and decreasing the flood risk in the Lower Shire Valley in Malawi.</p>

scholarly journals Developing a Sociocultural Framework of Compliance: An Exploration of Factors Related to the Use of Early Warning Systems Among Acute Care Clinicians

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy Flenady ◽  
Trudy Dwyer ◽  
Agnieszka Sobolewska ◽  
Danielle Le Lagadec ◽  
Justine Connor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Care ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Good Communication

Abstract Background: Early warning systems (EWS) are most effective when clinicians monitor patients’ vital signs and comply with the recommended escalation of care protocols once deterioration is recognised. Objectives: To explore sociocultural factors influencing acute care clinicians’ compliance with an early warning system commonly used in Queensland public hospitals in Australia. Methods: This interpretative qualitative study utilised inductive thematic analysis to analyse data collected from semi-structured interviews conducted with 30 acute care clinicians from Queensland, Australia.Results: This study identified that individuals and teams approached compliance with EWS in the context of 1) the use of EWS for patient monitoring; and 2) the use of EWS for the escalation of patient care. Individual and team compliance with monitoring and escalation processes is facilitated by intra and inter-professional factors such as acceptance and support, clear instruction, inter-disciplinary collaboration and good communication. Noncompliance with EWS can be attributed to intra and inter-professional hierarchy and poor communication. Conclusions: The overarching organisational context including the hospital’s embedded quality improvement and administrative protocols (training, resources and staffing) impact hospital-wide culture and influence clinicians’ and teams’ compliance or non-compliance with early warning system’s monitoring and escalation processes. Successful adoption of EWS relies on effective and meaningful interactions among multidisciplinary staff.

Implementation of a paediatric early warning system as a complex health technology intervention

2020 ◽  
pp. archdischild-2020-318795
Author(s):  
Heather Duncan ◽  
Adrienne P Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Early Warning ◽  
Early Warning System ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Complex Interventions ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Human Action ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
National Implementation

The national implementation groups of early warning systems in the UK and Ireland have identified a need to understand implementation, adoption and maintenance of these complex interventions. The literature on how to implement, scale, spread and sustain these systems is sparse. We describe a successful adoption and maintenance over 10 years of a paediatric early warning system as a sociotechnical intervention using the Nonadoption, Abandonment, Challenges to the Scale-Up, Spread, and Sustainability Framework for Health and Care Technologies. The requirement for iterative processes within environment, culture, policy, human action and the wider system context may explain the possible reasons for improved outcomes in small-scale implementation and meta-analyses that are not reported in multicentre randomised control trials of early warning systems.

scholarly journals Developing a sociocultural framework of compliance: an exploration of factors related to the use of early warning systems among acute care clinicians

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy Flenady ◽  
Trudy Dwyer ◽  
Agnieszka Sobolewska ◽  
Danielle Le Lagadec ◽  
Justine Connor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Care ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Good Communication

Abstract Background: Early warning systems (EWS) are most effective when clinicians monitor patients’ vital signs and comply with the recommended escalation of care protocols once deterioration is recognised.Objectives: To explore sociocultural factors influencing acute care clinicians’ compliance with an early warning system commonly used in Queensland public hospitals in Australia.Methods: This interpretative qualitative study utilised inductive thematic analysis to analyse data collected from semi-structured interviews conducted with 30 acute care clinicians from Queensland, Australia.Results: This study identified that individuals and teams approached compliance with EWS in the context of 1) the use of EWS for patient monitoring; and 2) the use of EWS for the escalation of patient care. Individual and team compliance with monitoring and escalation processes is facilitated by intra and inter-professional factors such as acceptance and support, clear instruction, inter-disciplinary collaboration and good communication. Noncompliance with EWS can be attributed to intra and inter-professional hierarchy and poor communication.Conclusions: The overarching organisational context including the hospital’s embedded quality improvement and administrative protocols (training, resources and staffing) impact hospital-wide culture and influence clinicians’ and teams’ compliance or non-compliance with early warning system’s monitoring and escalation processes. Successful adoption of EWS relies on effective and meaningful interactions among multidisciplinary staff.

scholarly journals Developing a sociocultural framework of compliance: an exploration of factors related to the use of early warning systems among acute care clinicians

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy Flenady ◽  
Trudy Dwyer ◽  
Agnieszka Sobolewska ◽  
Danielle Le Lagadec ◽  
Justine Connor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Care ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Good Communication

Abstract Background: Early warning systems (EWS) are most effective when clinicians monitor patients’ vital signs and comply with the recommended escalation of care protocols once deterioration is recognised. Objectives: To explore sociocultural factors influencing acute care clinicians’ compliance with an early warning system commonly used in Queensland public hospitals in Australia. Methods: This interpretative qualitative study utilised inductive thematic analysis to analyse data collected from semi-structured interviews conducted with 30 acute care clinicians from Queensland, Australia. Results: This study identified that individuals and teams approached compliance with EWS in the context of 1) the use of EWS for patient monitoring; and 2) the use of EWS for the escalation of patient care. Individual and team compliance with monitoring and escalation processes is facilitated by intra and inter-professional factors such as acceptance and support, clear instruction, inter-disciplinary collaboration and good communication. Noncompliance with EWS can be attributed to intra and inter-professional hierarchy and poor communication. Conclusions: The overarching organisational context including the hospital’s embedded quality improvement and administrative protocols (training, resources and staffing) impact hospital-wide culture and influence clinicians’ and teams’ compliance or non-compliance with early warning system’s monitoring and escalation processes. Successful adoption of EWS relies on effective and meaningful interactions among multidisciplinary staff.

scholarly journals Brief communication "Landslide Early Warning System: toolbox and general concepts"

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Intrieri ◽  
G. Gigli ◽  
N. Casagli ◽  
F. Nadim
Keyword(s):  
Early Warning ◽  
Early Warning System ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
End Users ◽  
Flow Chart ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
Limited Experience ◽  
Practical Guidelines ◽  
Landslide Early Warning

Abstract. We define landslide Early Warning Systems and present practical guidelines to assist end-users with limited experience in the design of landslide Early Warning Systems (EWSs). In particular, two flow chart-based tools coming from the results of the SafeLand project (7th Framework Program) have been created to make them as simple and general as possible and in compliance with a variety of landslide types and settings at single slope scale. We point out that it is not possible to cover all the real landslide early warning situations that might occur, therefore it will be necessary for end-users to adapt the procedure to local peculiarities of the locations where the landslide EWS will be operated.

scholarly journals Communication architecture of an early warning system

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2215-2228 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Angermann ◽  
M. Guenther ◽  
K. Wendlandt
Keyword(s):  
Early Warning ◽  
Early Warning System ◽  
Satellite Communication ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
Communication Architecture ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Communication Links

Abstract. This article discusses aspects of communication architecture for early warning systems (EWS) in general and gives details of the specific communication architecture of an early warning system against tsunamis. While its sensors are the "eyes and ears" of a warning system and enable the system to sense physical effects, its communication links and terminals are its "nerves and mouth" which transport measurements and estimates within the system and eventually warnings towards the affected population. Designing the communication architecture of an EWS against tsunamis is particularly challenging. Its sensors are typically very heterogeneous and spread several thousand kilometers apart. They are often located in remote areas and belong to different organizations. Similarly, the geographic spread of the potentially affected population is wide. Moreover, a failure to deliver a warning has fatal consequences. Yet, the communication infrastructure is likely to be affected by the disaster itself. Based on an analysis of the criticality, vulnerability and availability of communication means, we describe the design and implementation of a communication system that employs both terrestrial and satellite communication links. We believe that many of the issues we encountered during our work in the GITEWS project (German Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System, Rudloff et al., 2009) on the design and implementation communication architecture are also relevant for other types of warning systems. With this article, we intend to share our insights and lessons learned.

Toward a typology of weak-signal early alert systems: functional early warning systems in the post-COVID age

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Černý ◽  
Martin Potančok ◽  
Elias Castro Hernandez
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Weak Signal ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
Weak Signals ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Human In The Loop ◽  
Early Alert Systems

PurposeThe study aims to expand on the concept of an early warning system (EWS) by introducing weak-signal detection, human-in-the-loop (HIL) verification and response tuning as integral parts of an EWS's design.Design/methodology/approachThe authors bibliographically highlight the evolution of EWS over the last 30+ years, discuss instances of EWSs in various types of organizations and industries and highlight limitations of current systems.FindingsProposed system to be used in the transforming of weak signals to early warnings and associated weak/strong responses.Originality/valueThe authors contribute to existing literature by presenting (1) novel approaches to dealing with some of the well-known issues associated with contemporary EWS and (2) an event-agnostic heuristic for dealing with weak signals.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-11-2020-0513.

Torrent Monitoring and Early Warning Systems Development

2022 ◽  
pp. 195-216
Author(s):  
Dejan Vasović ◽  
Ratko Ristić ◽  
Muhamed Bajrić
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Management ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Early Warning System ◽  
Catchment Area ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Warning Systems ◽  
Small Catchment ◽  
National Emergency

The level of sustainability of a modern society is associated with the ability to manage unwanted stressors from the environment, regardless of origin. Torrential floods represent a hydrological hazard whose frequency and intensity have increased in recent years, mainly due to climate changes. In order to effectively manage the risks of torrents, it is necessary to apply early warning systems, since torrential floods are formed very quickly, especially on the watercourses of a small catchment area. The early warning system is part of a comprehensive torrential flood risk management system, seen as a technical entity for the collection, transformation, and rapid distribution of data. Modern early warning systems are the successors of rudimentary methods used in the past, and they are based on ICT and mobile applications developed in relation to the requirements of end users. The chapter presents an analysis of characteristic examples of the use. The main conclusion of the chapter indicates the need to implement early warning systems in national emergency management structures.

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