Can Community Plans Really Talk? Integrating and Strengthening Communications Through Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

This paper discusses the need and ability to enhance risk reduction through an integrated planning approach by applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). By introducing this important application, we describe the process by which AI and ML can be applied to enhance disaster preparedness, and to ensure disaster risk reduction measures and policies are integrated throughout an entire jurisdictional planning framework. As there are many potential planning documents and initiatives existent within a jurisdictional framework, and potential challenges associated with performing the process manually, this paper describes a two-phase approach to automating the process. By ‘Building the Brain’ and ‘Processing the Plans’, the automation process will eliminate or significantly ease the challenges associated with performing the plan review and integration process manually. Using AI and ML to perform the plan review and integration process will help quickly identify specific gaps between different documents, and generate appropriate and applicable recommendations made to close those gaps. Automation of the plan review and integration process provides jurisdictions with a pro-active and high-tech approach to enhancing overall disaster resilience and mitigating the hazard impacts, through enhanced intergovernmental coordination.