Petri-net based modeling and queuing analysis for resource-oriented cooperation of emergency response actions

•Definitions of emergency resources and emergency response actions are provided.•Petri-net based modeling of emergency response actions using resources is presented.•Detection approach for emergency action conflicts is proposed.•Colored Petri-net based model of a queuing system is integrated into the model.•An example is provided.

During an emergency response after an accident, emergency actions often require certain emergency resources. The adequate use, or the lack thereof, of emergency resources will affect the efficiency and even the success of emergency response activities or processes. Different emergency actions form certain relationships on using emergency resources. The cooperation modes of emergency actions on using resources are analyzed in this paper, and Petri-net models for these cooperation modes are provided. On this basis, an approach to detect emergency action conflicts resulting from resource-use is proposed. For conflicts caused by limited resources sharing, the queuing system which is modeled by a Petri-net and integrated into the model of emergency actions, is adopted to avoid conflicts. An example of an emergency response activity related with a fire accident is used to demonstrate the modeling method. The conflicts are analyzed and a queuing system is used to avoid simultaneously employing the same resource.