Walter G. Green

Bio: Walter G. Green is an academic researcher from University of Richmond. The author has contributed to research in topics: Emergency management & Decision support system. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 4 publications receiving 1377 citations.

Improving disaster response efforts with decision support systems

Abstract: As evidenced by Hurricane Katrina in August, 2005, disaster response efforts are hindered by a lack of coordination, poor information flows, and the inability of disaster response managers to validate and process relevant information and make decisions in a timely fashion. A number of factors contribute to current lacklustre response efforts. Some are inherent to the complex, rapidly changing decision-making environments that characterise most disaster response settings. Others reflect systematic flaws in how decisions are made within the organisational hierarchies of the many agencies involved in a disaster response. Slow, ineffective strategies for gathering, processing, and analysing data can also play a role. Information technology, specifically decision support systems, can be used to reduce the time needed to make crucial decisions regarding task assignment and resource allocation. Decision support systems can also be used to guide longer-term decisions involving resource acquisition as well as for training and the evaluation of command and control capability.

E-emergency management in the USA: a preliminary survey of the operational state of the art

Abstract: In a world of e-commerce and a growing range of governmental services offered on the internet, what is the state of electronic emergency management in the USA? Interest in the use of computers to perform emergency management functions at the state and local level emerged in the 1980s. Today, survey data indicates widespread use of the internet for communications, a moderate level of data automaton support for emergency operations centres, and the use of the internet by all state and some local agencies to communicate with the public. E-emergency management is being deployed component by component, with components being chosen to meet a variety of operational needs - how to communicate, how to disseminate public information, and how to manage information and resources. Increasingly, the term "virtual emergency operations centre" is used to describe everything from an emergency operations centre with computers, through facilities that offer public information to internet users, to truly virtual facilities that apply incident command system management principles to supply electronic services. However, the evolution of e-emergency management as a method of performing work extends beyond the emergency operations centre to include professional interchange, electronic exercises, and the development of new concerns in emergency information management.

Interfaces with Other Disciplines OR/MS research in disaster operations management

Abstract: Disasters are large intractable problems that test the ability of communities and nations to effectively protect their populations and infrastructure, to reduce both human and property loss, and to rapidly recover. The seeming randomness of impacts and problems and uniqueness of incidents demand dynamic, real-time, effective and cost efficient solutions, thus making the topic very suitable for OR/MS research. While social sciences and humanities literatures enjoy an abundance of articles on disaster management, the OR/MS community is yet to produce a critical mass. In this paper, we survey the literature to identify potential research directions in disaster operations, discuss relevant issues, and provide a starting point for interested researchers. � 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Viability of intertwined supply networks: extending the supply chain resilience angles towards survivability. A position paper motivated by COVID-19 outbreak

Abstract: An intertwined supply network (ISN) is an entirety of interconnected supply chains (SC) which, in their integrity secure the provision of society and markets with goods and services. The ISNs are o...

Optimization models in emergency logistics: A literature review

Abstract: Optimization modeling has become a powerful tool to tackle emergency logistics problems since its first adoption in maritime disaster situations in the 1970s. Using techniques of content analysis, this paper reviews optimization models utilized in emergency logistics. Disaster operations can be performed before or after disaster occurrence. Short-notice evacuation, facility location, and stock pre-positioning are drafted as the main pre-disaster operations, while relief distribution and casualty transportation are categorized as post-disaster operations. According to these operations, works in the literature are broken down into three parts: facility location, relief distribution and casualty transportation, and other operations. For the first two parts, the literature is structured and analyzed based on the model types, decisions, objectives, and constraints. Finally, through the content analysis framework, several research gaps are identified and future research directions are proposed.