Agent-Based Simulation of Spontaneous Volunteer Convergence to Improve Disaster Planning

The involvement of spontaneous volunteers (SVs) in disaster response represents a significant resource. However, existing emergency management plans often fail to take spontaneous volunteers into account due to negative perceptions and uncertainty about SV convergence. We developed an agent-based simulation model of spontaneous volunteer convergence to aid the disaster response planning process. The model considers a heterogeneous population of agents, each with unique attributes such as motivation, opinion, and site choice behavior. Model development was informed by the literature as well as interviews with volunteers and volunteer managers, participant observations, and discussions with practitioners. To illustrate the practical value of the model, we present a case study that addressed research questions related to volunteer reception centers and volunteer assignment policies. This transdisciplinary study bridges the gap between operations research and management science and social science, and provides a new decision aid to help improve the integration of spontaneous volunteers in disaster management plans.