Integrated peer-to-peer applications for advanced emergency response systems. Part I. Concept of operations

The catastrophes of September 11, 2001 put Arlington County´s emergency response system to the test. They revealed capabilities and limitations otherwise overlooked during previous standard emergency response assessments. There were three key issues in the response to 9/11 that are recurring in jurisdictions across the nation: 1) reliance on voice-oriented communications; 2) limited situational awareness; and 3) lack of interoperability. A concept of operations integrating current commercially available technology in a system designed for the emergency response coordinator addresses these issues. To visualize this concept, a graphical user interface that displays the required functionalities described in the concept of operations is presented. High-ranking emergency response personnel from Arlington County, Virginia have conveyed that this solution is, indeed, feasible. The next step towards implementation includes exploring peer-to-peer networks in integrating the technologies described.