Thesis (M.P.A.)--Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, 1993. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 2945. Abstract precedes thesis as [2] preliminary leaves. Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-88).

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Also available via the Internet.

Over a decade ago, there was no standardised method for information sharing during emergency situations. Governments, first responders, and emergency practitioners often had to rely on what little technology that was available to them. This situation slowed down communications, putting entire recovery operations, and lives at stake. The Emergency Data Exchange Language (EDXL) is the umbrella standard for several emergency communication standards that are being developed to address this issue. The Semantic Web is slowly, but steadily becoming a natural extension of the present-day Web. Thanks to efforts from researchers, and corporations such as Google, Facebook, etc., we are seeing more, and more semantics aware applications on the Web. These applications have been successful in bringing Semantic Web technologies to the common user to a large extent. Semantic Web technologies have found applications in a wide range of domains, from medical research to media management. However, a study to see if EDXL messaging standards can benefit from Semantic Web technologies has not yet been made. In this thesis, we investigate the possibility of enabling Semantic Web technologies for EDXL standards, specifically the EDXL Resource Messaging (EDXL-RM) standard, and explore the benefits that can come out of it. The possibility of converting XML based EDXL-RM messages to semantic formats is explored at first. This step is achieved through the evaluation of existing tools and technologies. Based on the outcome of this study, an EDXL to OWL converter that works in two stages is developed. The motivation for enabling semantic support for EDXL standards is illustrated through several use cases.

Thesis (M.Eng.)--University of Louisville, 2008. / Title and description from thesis home page (viewed May 14, 2008). Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Vita. "May 2008." Includes bibliographical references (p. 111-114).

Thesis (M. P. A.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2006. / "Spring 2006." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 50-53).

Thesis (M.A.)--Creighton University, 2009. / Bluebrary (Dspace). Title from title screen (viewed Mar. 11, 2010). Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-72).

This project developed a process for developing and evaluating enhancements to the American Red Cross’ disaster communication system. The stimulus for this project was a statement from the American Red Cross Disaster Service staff that the present communication system was unable to meet their needs. Some proposals for altering the present system were available, but there was no established means to identify the merits and drawbacks of these proposals. A principal feature of the proposed development process is a methodology to evaluate the impact, benefit, and cost of proposed enhancements. This methodology can be used to evaluate any proposed change to the disaster communication system. The process and methodology which have been developed are adaptations of accepted systems engineering tools such as the Life Cycle, mission scenarios, and models. / Master of Science

This research discusses developing a FLy-Away-Kit (FLAK) to support the forming of Hastily Formed Networks (HFNs) in remote areas in support of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR) operations. The initial focus will be on the requirements, situation, area of operations and mission. Different definitions and perspectives emerge when an individual mentions HFNs, HA/DR and Complex Humanitarian Disasters (CHDs). It is the author's intention to define and describe both a HFN and a CHD, in order to justify the need for the FLAK. This process will also define the requirements for the FLAK as well as facilitate processes for ensuring those requirements are met. The personnel responding to the attacks of September 11, 2001 and the December 26, 2004 Southeast Asia Tsunami suffered Command and Control (C2) and information challenges. Even more challenges are being currently addressed by Homeland Defense, Maritime Domain Awareness, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) abroad. From the top down, levels of administration are developing new plans, procedures, and organizations that will improve the security and communication processes of our nation. A global, broadband, rapidly deployable network node complete with Internet reachback, voice, data, and video capability is of the utmost importance to enable C2 and Network Centric Operations (NCO). Undoubtedly, commercial and military organizations, traditional or new, will greatly benefit from this capability. The U.S. DoD is particularly interested in improving interaction, coordination, communications, and operations when DoD and other entities respond simultaneously to natural or man-made CHD's.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-126). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

In recognition of the fact that communications commonly are considered to be essential to effective disaster preparedness and response, the present study addresses several related themes concerning the role of communications infrastructures--i.e., equipment facilities on the one hand, and established patterns of interpersonal relationships among government decision-makers and industry representatives on the other--in peacetime emergency communications planning and response processes. Its investigative tasks include the choice to apply the implicit guiding model in North American emergency management, namely, the "command-and-control" theoretical model, to a specific single-country peacetime disaster context: the Canadian case. That choice rests upon a recognition of the methodological difficulties and challenges in dealing with an emerging and highly dynamic configuration of multiple institutional players, new technologies and residual government policies respecting the telecommunications sector. / The study's findings suggest an appreciation of the complexity and nuanced context within which multiorganizational and especially multijurisdictional peacetime crisis management occurs, sometimes understood as the emergence of other frameworks. This investigation contributes to the disaster literature by providing the first exhaustive study of Canada's national emergency communications structure and capabilities. It therefore can perhaps best be seen as a prologue or preliminary discourse to a broader international comparative effort of addressing questions related to communications preparedness in regard to peacetime disasters.