Social Computing in Homeland Security: Disaster Promulgation and Response

Ding (University of Illinois) combines ideas from cognitive science, mathematical modeling, and computer simulation to establish a theoretical framework for addressing homeland security issues related to social computing and developing effective emergency response mechanisms for natural and man-made disasters. Material is based on the Universal Task List for major events represented by the Homeland Security National Planning Scenarios. Section I focuses on public reactions and psychosocial effects of disasters, and Section II takes on the challenge of increasing response capabilities using limited existing resources. Themes include ascertaining the nature and severity of disasters, quantifying public reactions to warnings, and assessing psychosocial impacts of disaster. Some specific topics include the potential for terrorist exploitation of the Internet as a propaganda tool, a hospital emergency support system for real time surveillance modeling, and an emergency evacuation command system. The book will be of interest for those involved in disaster response and management. The author is an associate editor at the Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)