EURO 2025 Leeds
Abstract Submission

2267. A Dynamic Resource Allocation Model for Search-Rescue and First Aid Tasks in Disaster Response

Invited abstract in session WA-55: Disaster Response, stream Humanitarian Operations.

Wednesday, 8:30-10:00
Room: Liberty 1.09

Authors (first author is the speaker)

1. Emine Nisa Kapukaya
Industrial Engineering, Istanbul Technical University
2. Sule Itir Satoglu
Industrial Engineering, ITU

Abstract

The size and location of the disaster, as well as the socio-economic level of the affected region, affect the participation of actors in relief operations and the coordination structure.

A model for Search-Rescue and First Aid activities has been developed to address the issue of resource allocation in disaster response. The model prioritizes tasks based on the urgency of saving human lives, focusing on a district of Istanbul in preparation for the expected major Marmara Earthquake. Demand was evaluated based on the expected number of damaged or destroyed buildings and victims, classified according to the NATO triage system.

To meet this demand, rescue units, trained volunteers, and spontaneous volunteers work in coordination and use renewable and non-renewable material resources. The model also takes into account the costs of training volunteers, possible road damages, and interregional resource transfer. Pre-positioning and distribution of resources are planned according to needs.

The goal of the model is to minimize unmet demand, the expected total travel distance between regions, and unmet renewable and non-renewable resources. A three-objective stochastic programming model is formulated. AUGMECON2 method is used to solve the multi-objective model, and the results are analyzed through sensitivity analyses. The study provides administrative information and suggests ideas for resource allocation planning for both human and material resources in disaster response.

Keywords

Status: accepted

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