Abstract

Challenges of Emergency Response System Implementation in Kurdistan
Track: Computer-Aided Dispatch and 911
Authors: Mounia Bedran, Mona El Hassan

This paper describes the implementation of a decentralized GIS-based ambulance dispatch system in the three governorates, Duhok, Sulaimaniya, and Erbil, which constitute the Kurdistan Regional Government in Northern Iraq. A formal implementation of an automated dispatch system is new to the region, and as such there are many challenges involved in launching such as system, some of which are specific to Kurdistan.
The challenges include the people and building the required skill set though training, the need for updated map data to locate incidents and for reliable navigable maps for dispatching the nearest ambulances, having the proper infrastructure of hardware, software, Internet, and GSM communication, as well as raising citizen awareness and confidence in such a system.
The project is a huge undertaking to be achieved in just a few months. It is a landmark project in Kurdistan which has much potential for future growth.