Introducing the Rapid Earthquake Damage Estimation (RED-E) System for Improved Life Safety Outcomes During Earthquake Early Response in Canada

In the wake of a major earthquake in Canada, responders can expect to encounter critical gaps in situational awareness in the first 48-72 hours that will hamper effective decision-making. To address this challenge, Natural Resources Canada is developing the Rapid Earthquake Damage Estimation (RED-E) system. This modelling system aims to produce maps of structural, human, and economic impacts within tens of minutes of a significant seismic event, similar to the United States Geological Survey's PAGER product but with enhanced details specific to Canada. This paper presents our research on optimizing the RED-E system through the User-Centered Design approach. End-user consultation throughout the development of RED-E will ensure that its outputs are practical and actionable for first responders, emergency managers, and infrastructure operators. Key findings from initial consultations underscore the need for immediate post-earthquake situational awareness, although complete understanding may take days to weeks. End-users expressed a preference for RED-E outputs in diverse formats, with road disruption modelling and secondary hazard assessments being particularly valuable. This study outlines the essential requirements for the outputs of RED-E and documents initial prototypes, showcasing the potential of the system to transform early post-seismic emergency response efforts across Canada, aiding in prioritization and resource allocation until ground-truth data become available.