Sensor-based data storage for search and rescue

Abstract

This research study proposes to utilize sensors for making necessary local information readily available and easily accessible to search and rescue team members following an earthquake. The Search and Rescue Data Access Point (SR-DAP) system is designed for storage and retrieval of useful local information on/from sensor nodes deployed on building frontages. In the paper, the types of information items that are needed during search and rescue operations are determined, and the requirements identified for the proposed system are discussed. Then, the representation of these items and the design of SR-DAP are presented. The discussions on the current information needs are based on the search and rescue guidelines and on the initial interviews that were conducted with earthquake responders in Turkey such as Turkish Civil Defense Association and AKUT (Turkey Search and Rescue Association). The prototype system has been designed and implemented by using real sensors.