Visual decision-support tools for first responders

In an age of heightened awareness due to terrorist threats, there is a great need for decision-support tools for first responder teams, such as FBI bomb squads, HAZMAT teams, etc. These teams suffer from the following deficiencies: "lack of information regarding hazards and equipment, and inadequate management and communication of information" (Jackson et al. 2002, 37). Decision-support tools strengthen the communication and management of disaster situations, and subsequently protect the safety and security of first responders and citizens. This project was the design and implementation of visual tools that improve CoBRA/spl reg/ (chemical biological response aide), a portable decision- support system that facilitates first responders in hazardous material accidents and attacks (DGI, "CoBRA/spl reg/," 2003). Testing of these tools clearly demonstrates the improvements that result from their integration: the automated briefing tool reduces data transfer time by 33%, while it increases reliability of information and the speed of communication within first responder teams. The ATP 45 interface decreases the time required for graphing of isolation and downwind protection zones by 80%. The sketchpad tool reduces the time required for mapping by 83.3%; finally, the GPS tool decreases the time required to understand global positional awareness by 95%. In every case, these tools strengthen the quality and accuracy of information available to first responders; thus, they meet the needs of these teams in handling disaster situations.