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Following outlines an algorithmic decision making support: -

Fuzzy Data Base

One of the main components of a disaster response support system is a data base containing the available human and material resources.

1) To deal with null values or partial information as well as irrelevant attributes and uncertain information, the data base will contain statements such as "some doctors", "10 ambulances, or 'Does not apply".

2) The database will have to answer queries involving vague predicates.

Two main objectives of Fuzzy Data Base

Minimizing Response time

Given a data base containing the description of the routes as well as distances from the sources to the destinations, a fuzzy transportation algorithm based on center of gravity, median method or simple transportation model can be used to minimize the total response time.

Effective management of resources

In a demand resource problem, it may happen that, at some point, we obtain small pieces of resources which, by themselves, do not satisfy any demand, but when combined can satisfy the demand. This phenomenon is called "Fragmentation" of the resources.

In a disaster situation, the fragmentation of the resources may result in an increase in the response time, since the resources have to be sent from different places. Thus, an algorithm which reduces or postpones the occurrence of fragmentation will be useful. We propose the following algorithm.

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* Contributed by: -
Uday Sankar A. & S. Yogendra,
National Institute of Industrial Engineering, Mumbai.