Explore fire evacuations with a focus on real-world cases, dispelling myths and understanding human behavior. Analyze evidence supporting evacuation dynamics and model types, including SFPE Hydraulic models.

Explore the nuanced aspects of fire evacuations in this comprehensive agenda. Analyze real-world case studies, dispel evacuation myths perpetuated by the media, and gain insights into human behavior during fire emergencies. 

Examine the conceptual and empirical evidence supporting evacuation dynamics, with a focus on translating this knowledge into effective modeling practices. Understand different model types, including the SFPE Hydraulic models, and their assumptions and implications. 

Consider the practical applications of these models and their potential insights. Engage in an empathy test to appreciate the evacuee perspective, contributing to a sophisticated understanding of evacuation processes and outcomes.

Agenda

• Case Studies – overview of real-world incidents, how the evacuee response developed and the outcomes.
• Myths of evacuation – what the media might tell us on evacuee response.
• Human Behaviour in Fire – what we can expect of people during evacuations from fire, and what factors affect their behaviour.
• Conceptual/Empirical evidence – what evidence is available to support this understanding and help us estimate performance, and how we might translate our understanding into modelling practice.
• Model Types – what models are available to help us understand and quantify evacuee performance. What are the assumptions being these models – what is included and what is excluded?
• Example model – the SFPE Hydraulic models.
• Implications – what can we do with these models and what insights can be produced.
• The empathy test – getting into the mindset of an evacuee.

Bio: Steve Gwynne
Steve has over 25 years of experience in pedestrian dynamics, human behaviour in fire and evacuation modelling. He is currently the Research Lead at Movement Strategies, Industrial Professor of Evacuation and Pedestrian Dynamics at Lund University (Sweden) and is on the adjunct faculty of the University of Maryland (US) and Memorial University (Canada).

Steve has previously worked for the Canadian /US governments, academic institutes and in consultancy (in the US and UK). He has been involved in data collection, model development/application, procedural design, and regulatory development.

He has worked in the aviation, maritime, rail and built environments, and has also worked in large-scale disasters (e.g. wildfire incidents). He has delivered academic/industry/government courses) and supervised PhD students, Masters students and undergraduate projects in North America, the EU, and the UK. He has 100+ peer-reviewed publications. He co-authors three chapters in the SFPE Handbook and was a co-author of the SFPE Guide to Human Behaviour in Fire (2nd Edition). He has also contributed to NFPA, ISO, IMO, ICC, NBC and SFPE guidance and regulatory documents.