ABSTRACT
The possible applications of a disaster-managementsoftware are not reduced to theoretical case-studies. Contrariwise, one of the main aims while developing EQvis was to cover also the needs and ease the work of rescue-teams. Severe earthquakes can be accompanied by a partly or total breakdown of communication, failure of road networks, electrical power supply systems, sewerage systems, water supply systems etc.The earthquake real-time simulations admit the quick generation of an overview with the detail of the estimated damages to structures or buildings, as soon as magnitude data and epicentre coordinates are available. With this data, a simulation can be run and results can be obtained within some minutes. Inspection teams are sent on the most damaged structures (indicated by EQvis) in order to confirm or controvert the results of the simulation, by reporting their observations. By means of these inputs, the operation controllers can better identify the rescue priorities in order to decide where to send the rescue staff, and if it is necessary to
ask for more help. On the other hand, the observation team reports could also be used to refine and calibrate the computer-model. On 24th of May 2011, EQvis was tested under realistic conditions in the region of Tolna County/Hungary. Tolna county is situated west of the Danube river, south of Budapest. It covers an area of 3703 km2 with a population of 238400 inhabitants. All rescue and observation teams, that participated in the exercise on 24th of May 2011 were coordinated from the county’s fire brigade headquarter situated in the city of Szekszard (capital of Tolna county).
