Systems engineering analysis and application to the Emergency Response System
Date
2021
Authors
Marzolf, Gregory S., author
Sega, Ronald, advisor
Bradley, Thomas, advisor
Simske, Steve, committee member
van de Lindt, John, committee member
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Abstract
This research seeks to apply systems engineering methods to build a more effective emergency response system (called the Engineered Emergency Response System – EERS) to minimize adverse impacts and consequences of incidents. Systems engineering processes were used to identify stakeholder needs and requirements, and then systems engineering methodologies were used to build the system. Emphasis was placed on building a more capable engineered system that could handle not only routine emergencies, but also events containing increased complexity, uncertainty, and severity. The resulting EERS system was built on suitability constraints including conformance to the National Response Framework, the National Incident Management System Framework, and the community fragility concept, as well as ease of transformation from the existing system. Empirical data from two complex events in Colorado's El Paso County, the Waldo Canyon Wildland Urban Interface fire in 2012 and the Black Forest Wildland Urban Interface fire in 2013, were used to inform the system's design and operation. These complex and dynamic events were deemed representative of other complex events based on existing publications and research. After the engineered system was built, it was validated: 1) using the Functional Dependency Network Analysis model with data obtained from the two fires, 2) evaluating best practices that were integrated into the EERS, 3) qualitatively assessing system suitability requirements, and 4) conducting a Delphi study to assess the value of applying systems engineering to this research area; and, the feasibility of implementing the EERS into existing systems. The validation provided evidence that the EERS is more effective than the existing system while showing that it is also suitable and feasible. The Delphi study provided evidence that using the systems engineering approach was deemed valuable by the subject matter experts. More research is needed to determine system needs and capabilities for specific communities in consideration of their unique organizations, cultures, environments, and associated hazards, and in areas of command and control and communications.
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Subject
emergency
management
systems
engineering
dependency
response