Emergency management: capability analysis of critical incident response

Since the 9/11 terrorist incident, homeland security efforts and the readiness of local emergency management agencies have become focal points in the war on terrorism. A significant issue faced by front line responders has been the significant increase in the number and type of potential incidents they must be prepared to handle. We describe a simulation-based approach that allows local county-level emergency management agencies to more quickly develop, test, and refine robust plans for an ever increasing list of potential threats. The focus of the simulation environment is on the information flow, coordination, and response of medical, police, and fire resources.