User Testing
We conducted usability study sessions with two public safety personnel, one each from Indy EMS and Indy Fire to validate our designs and the interactions. Both the participants have served for more than 6 years in their respective fields of operations and well aware of all the typical tasks that comes with an emergency.
Results and Findings
The overall experience of the prototype was well received by both the public safety personnel. There were a few suggestions that were made by the participants to improve the experience.
For Mass-Transit Accident Scenarios
1. The system could display the location of victims that are tagged either by the drone or by the LifeSavAR system.
2. The resources section could also include things like tools, air bags, oxygen, doctor / surgeon.
For Wildfire Scenarios
1. It is ideal to have access to immediate information with a quick gesture instead of having it always present on the screen as it could be distracting.
2. Crossover communication between the fire department/ police/ EMS have to streamlined as it is difficult to use a radio with the AR device on.
This usability study confirmed that the basic usability aspects of the application are useful, usable, and functional. The evaluators felt that the system is consistent in terms of design which they liked. They also said that this system would definitely solve the problem of centralized communication and tracking of triage status.