How fast can we make 'emergency response'? (Classified results, but lives were changed) π¨
Optimizing Emergency Response Times at a Crane Naval Base
NSWC Crane Naval Base faced challenges with emergency response times, impacting the safety and security of personnel and assets. To address this critical issue, the base partnered with the Crisis Innovation Technology Lab at Indiana University and the NSWC Crane Fire and Emergency Department.
My Role
As a UX Student researcher present within the project team, I was responsible for:
- User Research: Conducting mixed-methods research, including [interviews, observations, surveys], to understand the current emergency response process from the perspective of key stakeholders, including [first responders, dispatchers, base personnel].
- Identifying Bottlenecks: Analyzing research data to pinpoint critical areas for improvement within the emergency response workflow, focusing on human factors and system inefficiencies.
- Human-Centered Design: Applying a human-centered design approach to develop and iterate on potential solutions that addressed the identified bottlenecks and aligned with user needs and workflows.
- Collaboration and Communication: Working closely with the Crisis Innovation Technology Lab, NSWC Crane Fire and Emergency Department, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and effective implementation of solutions.
Approach
Due to the sensitive nature of the project and the strict NDA in place, specific details regarding the research findings, design solutions, and technological implementations cannot be disclosed. However, the overall approach involved:
- Emphasizing user needs: We prioritized understanding the experiences and challenges faced by all stakeholders involved in emergency response.
- Iterative design: We employed an iterative design process following the FEMA guidelines, rapidly prototyping and testing potential solutions with users to ensure usability and effectiveness.
- Data-driven decision making: We leveraged data collected throughout the research and design process to inform decision-making and measure the impact of our solutions.
Impact
While specific outcomes remain confidential, the project successfully:
- Improved emergency time communication and coordination: Enhanced communication channels and streamlined workflows between key stakeholders involved in emergency response.
- Reduced response times: Optimized processes and implemented solutions that demonstrably decreased the time it took for first responders to reach the scene of an emergency.
- Enhanced overall safety and security: The project contributed to a safer and more secure environment for all personnel and assets on the Naval Base.
Takeaways:
This project highlighted the critical role of UX in high-stakes environments like emergency response. By employing a human-centered design approach and collaborating closely with stakeholders, we were able to identify and address critical bottlenecks, ultimately contributing to a more effective and efficient emergency response system.