An Activity Theory Analysis of Search & Rescue Collective Sensemaking and Planning Practices
Search and rescue or SAR, is a disaster response activity performed to locate and save victims, it primarily involves collective sensemaking and planning
SAR responders learn to search and navigate the environment, process information about buildings, and collaboratively plan with maps
SAR is a socio-technical system that bridges physical, digital, and geographic spaces
It is unique for HCI spaces in that it is not only currently low-tech but tech-avoiding due to technology’s fragility
In this work, we synthesize data from five sources
To gain first-person experience with SAR training, we undertook two SAR online training courses
followed by two visits to SAR training facilities and headquarters
after that we conducted in-depth interviews with highly ranked SAR responders to understand planning practices and training methods
To reach additional responders, we sent an online questionnaire to SAR responders
Finally, we identified key documentation from online resources of different SAR teams across the southwest of the USA
These five data sources were necessary to provide a deep understanding of SAR work
These data sources complement each other and provided a multifaceted view of SAR, providing more diverse input and triangulating findings
To analyze all of these data, data were grouped for easy access and coding
As each of the coders engaged the data, we began to identify potential themes around the concepts of information seeking, sensemaking, and planning
We examined the themes the data were assigned and created sub-categories or new themes as they emerged
One aspect of these categories and themes that emerged was that the data lent itself to Activity Theory, as a theoretical lens
The activity theory analysis revealed rich cultural and contextual factors that influence SAR work and training
It helped us to understand and characterize the interactions, tensions, and contradictions within the complex socio-technical environment of SAR
which will drive future system design
Our findings suggest that information seeking and reconnaissance are a central part of SAR training
There are differences within SAR communities on how to mediate these activities
The type of information needed in operational zones differ, requiring different ways to handle and visualize such information
Our findings, critically, point to the importance of geospatial information during the SAR planning process
the creation and manipulation of maps is central
Remote interaction and collaboration will always pose problems, which suggests that new and innovative solutions are needed
especially as new tools, technologies, and sources of information are adopted by SAR communities
Based on our findings, we develop design implications for systems that will support SAR in the field
or enable training systems to simulate essential components of work practice
Our analysis showed that disaster responders use physical and digital artifacts interchangeably
as each mode offers its own affordances and constraints
We observed that individual and collective mapping is central in SAR work
Responders collect information from reconnaissance missions, use maps to navigate and keep track of plans
and share the information they collected individually with the rest of the team
Plans rely on the right inputs from diverse sources at the right time
Differences in information richness, needs and representation within SAR communities and the operational zones need to be taken into consideration
Practice involves a constant transition among different roles and activities, with shifts in unity of command
By bringing SAR to HCI, we provide a rich area for research and design focusing on practical deployment
that concurrently increases the resiliency of information communication technology
The present research extends prior work in disaster response practice and training and encourages future research in this area
Thank you