Crises can overwhelm available resources. For ex- ampie, communications systems, power plants, hospital systems, and weather centers can all be saturated in a crisis. Rapid response in communication and information ser- vices to the special loads of crises is essential. Infrequency and uncertainty. Some high-magnitude events, such as earthquakes, occur infrequently and in unpredictable locations.
Special information needs.
A crisis can cause unusual demands both for information flows to and from the crisis area and for consolidation or fusion of information to meet responder needs. The CSTB report identifies and elaborates on research needs moti- vated by crisis management. This was the principal finding relating to the process of collaboration between the two communities. Usability and collaboration. The findings call for research to gain a better understanding of users' needs, capabilities, and limitations, as well as research to develop concepts for new, open, network-based collaboration tools, such as virtual situation rooms.