Title: The use of RFID technology in earthquakes

Authors: Yen-Chun Jim Wu, Ching-Yuan Hung

Addresses: Department of Business Management, National Sun Yat-Sen University, 70 Lienhai Rd., Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan. ' Department of Logistics Management, National Kaohsiung First University of Science & Technology, 1 University Road Yenchao, Kaohsiung County 824, Taiwan

Abstract: This study explores emergency rescue procedures at the time an earthquake strikes and during the |golden| rescue period, proposing how Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) could be applied to enhance the efficiency of key emergency response procedures, using the recent Sichuan disaster as the primary example. The paper first discusses the impact of the Sichuan earthquake and then describes procedures related to emergency rescue operations. Following is an exploration of how RFID could be leveraged to improve the efficiency of such operations, focusing specifically on the deployment of rescue personnel, search and rescue operations, emergency logistics and the transfer of injured and trapped victims. While much work on RFID applications has been conducted over the past decade, this conceptual study provides a first step towards exploring the potential of using RFID technology in destructive earthquakes.

Keywords: RFID; radio-frequency identification; Sichuan; earthquakes; disaster management; emergencies; rescuers; China; Wenchuan earthquake; golden rescue period; emergency response procedures; efficiency; search and rescue; rescue personnel; deployment; logistics; injured victims; trapped victims; injuries; transfer operations; transport; emergency management; innovation; sustainable development; sustainability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2009.033081

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2009 Vol.4 No.4, pp.253 - 275

Published online: 07 May 2010 *

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