Time-critical information services framework in the European context: emergency response organisation roles and inter-actor relations

This study aims to increase understanding of the operational, organisational and governance structures of emergency services by assessing, validating and expanding on the applicability of the time-critical information services (TCIS) framework within the European context. We analysed the emergency response related roles and tasks of different emergency services' organisations within six European countries and Turkey. Two datasets were utilised: emergency services' concepts of operation (CONOPS) and emergency scenario examples provided by emergency services practitioners and representatives. The TCIS framework was utilised as a theoretical basis for the analysis. The results suggest that the steps involved in making, receiving and handling emergency calls follow fairly similar paths in different European countries. However, there are noteworthy differences in emergency services models that define the sequential procedures within emergency response and management. The TCIS model was developed further to better account for the different tasks and roles included in the fairly case-specific emergency services process in the European context.