Evaluation of a Digital Map Platform for Team Situational Awareness

Abstract

Currently, emergency responders are utilizing several different digital platforms with limited interoperability. This can lead to miscommunication and misunderstandings between emergency responders. The digital map software Square is designed to mitigate this by providing a unified platform for emergency responders to facilitate sharing of information. With a large and diverse potential user group, it is important that the system is accessible and intuitive to use for as many users as possible, particularly in high-stress situations. The user testing and interview in this study provides insights into how new users interact with the software. The Square platform presented significant barriers to efficient use, and the findings from this study are used to improve the usability and accessibility in the forthcoming updates to Square.