title: The role of simulation and modeling in disaster management.
abstract: The threat of pandemic disaster has motivated many collaborative exercises for the purpose of preparation and evaluation. The nature of these exercises depends upon the status of pre-existing expectations for system behavior and the aims of the exercise stakeholders. The contents of this article argue that these exercises may be developed using the same approach as simulation modeling to advantage. Four levels of maturity are outlined as a guide to understanding reasonable expectations for such activity.
authors.affiliation: Doctoral Program in Public Affairs, College of Health and Public Affairs, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA. dsteward@mail.ucf.edu
authors.forename: Duane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Steward
authors.forename: Thomas T H
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Wan
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012985:Software Design; D012986:Software Validation