2008 Volume 6 Pages 79-88
In this study, the authors evaluated the effect of using a disaster information system for disaster response focusing on information management. Then, sorted out problems and examined possible solutions.
At first, a new system was created. In the system, the movements of the local government staff, their remarks and the information screening system, which is used for decision making in disaster drills and for verification of the disaster information system, were recorded. Using this system, an environment, in which these data could be analyzed, and the disaster response workflow structuring the flow of information from collection to operational tasks could be examined, was established.
Using this environment, the effect of the disaster information system was verified firstly from each department viewpoint. It was found that in order to improve the disaster response activities, it was insufficient to just install a new disaster information system. Disaster response related people felt overwhelmed by the number of tasks that they should take care of. It was also found that although a system improvement is indispensable, a comprehensive analysis of the items related to disaster response -such as the current system and task processing flow- and an examination of the plan improvement from various viewpoints should be carried out.
Finally, it was shown that, although the implementation of the proposed system by one local government has great benefits, introducing this system by many local governments has even more positive effects.
