Sebastian Denef

Designing computing systems for frontline firefighting is an open challenge. As of today, little computing support exists for such hazardous environments and designers struggle to build appropriate systems that fit the complex configuration on the frontline.

Following Christopher Alexander’s understanding, design is about producing living transformations of existing configurations, it requires a thorough understanding of the situation on-site. Alexander introduces pattern languages as a means to describe existing configurations and to make them accessible for design, to link ethnography and design. This thesis therefore develops a pattern language of firefighters’ activities at the frontline to transform the existing practice into a design space for computing support.

Grounded theory, as a qualitative method to identify patterns in empirical data, and action research, as a framework that allows studying the interaction between new technologies and existing practice, solidify the methodology of pattern research and are applied to conduct and analyze workshops with French and German firefighters at professional training facilities. Workshops comprise the observation of existing practice, the active participation in firefighting exercises and the introduction of novel artifacts.

Linked up as a pattern language, 16 patterns describe the configuration of frontline firefighting. The patterns detail how firefighters organize the division of roles and tasks, how they deal with information in a dynamic environment, how they form a social binding, improvise, provide safety and prepare their work.

While similar individual patterns have been described for firefighting and other high reliability professions, the pattern language, beyond these aspects, provides an integrated perspective on the frontline work; it allows developers to reflect technological concepts and supports the participatory design process of ubiquitous computing systems.

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In this position paper we present our approach to the design of a ubicomp navigation system to support firefighters working on the first line of intervention. Over the past three years we have conducted a broad range of workshops with firefighters and applied a number of methodological approaches. Reflecting on how the different approaches and analytical findings affected our design we conclude that the design emerges as a result of a continuous interaction with the world, of a “deep dive” into the subject matter that makes us designers sensitive to discover solutions.

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Im Kontext von Notfalleinsätzen (z.B. der Feuerwehr) müssen vielfältige raumbezogene Kommunikationsaufgaben bearbeitet werden. In derart komplexen medialen Konstellationen unvermeidlich technisch-kommunikative Störungen auf, die ihrerseits durch die Beteiligten „in situ“ sprachlich artikuliert und bearbeitet werden müssen. Anhand audiovisueller Daten, die im Kontext von Notfallübungen erhoben wurden, wird ein Forschungsansatz vorgestellt, der darauf zielt, den Status sprachlicher Artikulationsarbeit für eine technisierte Interaktion im Rahmen kollektiver Ortserkundung und Navigation zu spezifizieren. Unter dem Aspekt der Anwendung wird auch die Frage erörtert, welche Relevanz derartigen Erkenntnissen für die Gestaltung medientechnischer Ressourcen für kritische Situationen zukommt.

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In this position paper, I argue that for HCI research on interaction techniques is a core concern and that tailored interaction techniques are crucial for ubiquitous computing systems supporting people who work in hazardous, safety-critical environments. Interaction techniques need to closely match on-site situation as the mixture of cognitive and physical load, protective clothing and special equipment leaves very little space for human-computer interaction. I propose a research project to investigate interaction techniques for frontline firefighting.

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Die zunehmende mediale Inszenierung politischer Debatten geht paradoxerweise mit der öffentlichen Wahrnehmung einher, die Unterschiede zwischen Parteien würden zunehmend verschwinden. Dies mindert die Bedeutung der Parteiendemokratie und erschwert die Identifikation der Bürgerinnen und Bürger mit einer spezifischen Partei. Wer Begeisterung für aktive demokratische Teilhabe wecken will, muss das Verständnis für Unterschiede zwischen den Parteien schärfen und zugleich Räume für politische Debatten schaffen, in denen diese Differenzen thematisiert werden können. Diesen Zielen kann „trennscharf“ dienen, eine unabhängige partizipative Plattform. Sie kann als Initiator, Vermittler und überparteilicher Moderator den Parteien Raum geben, um ihre politische Arbeit, ihre Einstellungen, ihre Normen und Werte offenzulegen.

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In this paper we present a role-playing workshop in a firefighting scenario conducted within the frame of a multidisciplinary consortium. Our work focuses on developing a navigation ubicomp infrastructure leveraging the cognitive skills of firefighters. Technology for navigation must understand existing navigation practices in order to provide adequate support.

To deal with the complexity of this process, we use a participatory design approach based on a strong synergy among partners. We argue that a key aspect for the creation of this synergy is the construction of a bond of empathy allowing technology experts to understand the needs of the users of technology and also allowing firefighters to understand the role and activities of technology developers in the process.

We present an account of the workshop conducted and some insights of the role that this method can play for complex, multidisciplinary teams working on developing safety-critical technology.

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This paper presents a new perspective for the design of indoor navigation support. In contrast to technology oriented approaches coming from Context Awareness research, we argue for a wider focus that complements the technical question of providing precise indoor location with the development of more effective navigation practices based on technology available today. Starting from research on indoor navigation conducted with the Paris Fire Brigade, we present two design concepts aimed at supporting firefighters in creating and finding their own paths, together with some of the design strategies that informed the creation of these concepts.

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In this paper we present an ethnographic study conducted with the Paris Firefighting Brigade to understand the sensemaking practices of firefighters on the first line of intervention and explore ideas for the design of supporting ubicomp technologies.

We argue that sensemaking is a core element of firefighting practices particularly when firefighters work on creating a shared understanding of unknown spaces. After exploring a building under very limited visual conditions, firefighters draw ad hoc maps and representations of the environment, which play a crucial role in collaborative sensemaking processes.

We conclude on the importance of the central role that sensemaking should play in ubicomp solutions supporting firefighters on ad hoc mapping.

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International project-based learning is a promising educational method to overcome the challenges of the 21st century for the higher education of students in the field of information and communication technologies. Focusing on the needs of the University of Applied Sciences in Darmstadt, Germany and the Xi’an Institute of Post and Telecommunications in Xi’an, China the mission of this work is to design a solution how the advantages of this educational method can be leveraged. Analyzing the tight relationship between education, communication and communities identifies the essential need for grokking—a holistic way of learning. The author presents a concept for the twelve months of the introduction of international project-based learning and reveals a novel approach to groupware systems supporting the work in global projects. Combining scientific results with empathy through local experiences was the strategy to ensure sustainability and cultural awareness.

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