Agent-Based Simulation of Spontaneous Volunteer Convergence to Improve Disaster Planning
Abstract
The involvement of spontaneous volunteers (SVs) in disaster response represents a significant resource. However, existing emergency management plans often fail to take spontaneous volunteers into account due to negative perceptions and uncertainty about SV convergence. We developed an agent-based simulation model of spontaneous volunteer convergence to aid the disaster response planning process. The model considers a heterogeneous population of agents, each with unique attributes such as motivation, opinion, and site choice behavior. Model development was informed by the literature as well as interviews with volunteers and volunteer managers, participant observations, and discussions with practitioners. To illustrate the practical value of the model, we present a case study that addressed research questions related to volunteer reception centers and volunteer assignment policies. This transdisciplinary study bridges the gap between operations research and management science and social science, and provides a new decision aid to help improve the integration of spontaneous volunteers in disaster management plans.
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Data Availability Statement
Some data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request, such as model calibration data and numerical results.
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the North Carolina State University and the US National Science Foundation (NSF) through Grant Nos. 1901700 (CCNY), 1901710 (UA), and 1901699 (NCSU).
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Natural Hazards Review
Volume 24 • Issue 2 • May 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 7, 2022
Accepted: Jan 17, 2023
Published online: Mar 13, 2023
Published in print: May 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Aug 13, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Case studies
- Chemical properties
- Chemistry
- Continuum mechanics
- Convergence (mathematics)
- Disaster preparedness
- Disaster response
- Disaster risk management
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Emergency management
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Engineering profession
- Environmental engineering
- Heterogeneity
- Mathematics
- Methodology (by type)
- Models (by type)
- Motion (dynamics)
- Practice and Profession
- Professional development
- Research methods (by type)
- Simulation models
- Solid mechanics
- Uncertainty principles
- Volunteerism
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