Assessing the impact of a proposed Web2.0 geospatial information system for improving the decisionmaking process of emergency management and incident response personnel

The research applies simulation research design methods for quantifying the impact of a Web2.0 based Geospatial Information System on the decision making process for emergency response personnel during the first 45 minutes of a disaster. The research leverages a 3-stage process: pre-simulation questionnaire in the form of demographic and personality questions (modified Keirsey Sorter Temperament), simulation exercise applying a novel Web2.0 based GIS (desktop and mobile device applications), and post-exercise questionnaire (for assessing usability, scenario realism, cognitive effort). The research uses non-parametric statistic techniques (e.g., linear regression) to analyze data collected from 6 functional exercises across 3 mutual-aid emergency management groups to address the following 3 recurring questions gleaned from the literature review:;1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of modern Internet communication technology for a GIS-based emergency management system? 2. What are the benefits and impediments of a GIS-based emergency management system across the operational, tactical, and field echelons of the emergency response chain of command? 3. How does a modern Web2.0 architecture address the limitations and impediments of using GIS systems for a real-time disaster decision support system? Additionally, the research tests the following 4 hypotheses:;1. Hypothesis 1: A GIS-based incident response system based on Web2.0 technologies increases the amount of information a decision maker applies to critical decisions.;2. Hypothesis 2: A GIS-based emergency management and incident response system based on emerging Web2.0 technologies enables emergency and incident response personnel to respond in a more timely manner.;3. Hypothesis 3: Web2.0-based GIS architectures reduce the amount of time it takes to make critical decision during emergency response.;4. Hypothesis 4: Web2.0-based geo-visualization techniques improve the communication and information sharing process across the echelons of the emergency response chain of command.;The research herein presents quantitative and qualitative analysis results that indicate statistically significant support for the four hypotheses that a Web2.0 based Geospatial Information System has a positive impact on the decision making process of emergency management and incident response personnel. Similarly, the conclusions from the quantitative and qualitative results discuss an aspect of each hypothesis that inferentially addresses the 3 most pressing research questions gleaned from the literature review.