An integrated framework for managing emergency-response logistics: the case of the electric utility companies

Managers of emergency response operations in electric utility companies frequently face decisions regarding the optimum deployment of the available emergency response resources. The complexity of emergency repair problems requires the development of a decision-making framework able to address strategic and tactical emergency repair issues. This paper presents an integrated framework consisting of a data management module, a vehicle monitoring and communications module and a modeling module. The functional characteristics of the proposed system are analyzed in the context of emergency repair operations of an electric utility company. Also presented is an extensive case study encompassing the three modules of the proposed decision-making system and showing the improvement in effectiveness of emergency response operations by introducing operations research techniques coupled with advanced information technologies.