An interactive simulator of emergency management systems

We illustrate an interactive software simulator we have developed in the context of the research project "Decembria" aiming at the optimization of the use of the ambulance fleet of the "118" emergency system in the province of Milan. The simulator is GIS-based allowing for exact geocoding of points of request, correct reproduction of ambulance travels and computation of shortest paths according to graph distances, also taking into account forbidden manoeuvres and streets accessibility constraints. The graphical interface has been designed in order to allow the user assigning calls to available ambulances and ambulances to parking places with one or two clicks of a mouse button. The simulator uses historical data taken from the data-base of the "118" system in Milan. The simulator also includes on-line optimization algorithms suggesting decisions to the user in real-time. The simulator is currently in use at the "118" Operating Centre, located at the Niguarda hospital in Milan.