One of the most significant hurdles for any type of major disaster response is obtaining the right information as quickly as possible to gain situational awareness and make the best strategic and tactical decisions.

Computer technology has helped by providing a method for storing and analyzing data when an emergency occurs. The challenge has been bringing together data captured from multiple sources and maintained in a wide array of formats. Getting actionable information from the command center to the field has proved difficult as well.

Geographic Information System technology can link reams of disparate data by geography, analyze that data using the most sophisticated computing functionality available, and then visualize that data within an easy-to-understand map. Today's systems allow near real-time data capture and dissemination. They can be deployed across multiple departments and organizations, whether by mobile computers or via Web services.

The technology is a core component of situational awareness. Spatially enabled with GIS technology, the common operational picture integrates incident locations, tracking devices, sensors, video, traffic, hospital status, weather and other dynamic data. These data sets then can be fused with geographic data such as digital imagery, elevations, streets and critical infrastructure. When emergencies occur, GIS produces relevant content and capability for incident action plans, damage assessments and information sharing.

Traditionally, emergency management plans were developed with minimal pre-event analysis. Yet the new world of emergency management — especially after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks — requires planning, analysis and pre-event activities to play a paramount role in homeland security. The due diligence and work that take place prior to an event to quantify and qualify assets and values and to establish priorities is a pillar of today's emergency management.

GIS technology enables managers to conduct complex emergency management analysis. Today, emergency management planning is more efficient, accurate and all-encompassing. When the appropriate analysis and geoprocessing tools are applied, emergency management planning becomes less difficult and time-consuming and more focused and streamlined.

GIS helps map potential natural hazards, including fault lines, storm surge exposure, flammable vegetation, and areas prone to landslides or floods. GIS also can help emergency managers identify and categorize potential high-value technological targets, including hazmat locations, critical railways and highways where hazardous materials are routinely shipped, nuclear power plants, petroleum processing and storage facilities, and political and cultural centers.

GIS can help discover and categorize critical values at risk such as population densities, government buildings, hospitals, utilities and public assemblies. The analysis and visualization capabilities allow computer models to show the impact of potential events such as toxic plumes, explosions, the biological-agent releases, floods and earthquakes. These models can help project casualties and categorize extreme, moderate and light damage caused by the event.

Preparedness involves developing emergency management response and recovery capability based on the analysis of risk, hazard and values completed in the planning phase. Preparedness helps remove some of the confusion and chaos from emergencies by providing for effective, intelligent response. For example, analysis of a densely populated area with heavy traffic congestion throughout the day requires comprehensive preparedness for evacuation in the event of a large-scale emergency or attack. GIS technology allows quick and efficient modeling and evaluation of which roads can be converted from two-way to one-way traffic for rapid evacuation.

GIS can evaluate potential temporary evacuation sites and logistical support resources to initiate emergency procedures. Other preparedness functions may include procuring supplies and equipment for use during an emergency; setting up networks between local, state and federal agencies in advance of an event; and training responders in emergency response activities. GIS also allows for site selection that enables response personnel to designate hot zones, command post locations, evacuation sites, staging areas, logistical support and supply caches, drop points, division and branch boundaries, heliports, and temporary medical facilities.

Response puts preparedness plans into action to save lives and prevent further property damage. One response activity is emergency warning; this could be through sirens, geotargeted phone calls (for instance, when the National Weather Service issues a thunderstorm or tornado warning), or other pre-emergency notifications. Other response activities include sheltering and feeding disaster victims; providing first responders with supplies as they perform their duties; conducting search-and-rescue operations and damage assessments; providing first aid, triage, treatment and transport of the injured to hospitals; firefighting; and hazmat containment.

As the response unfolds, commanders can update data from the field to dynamically monitor the activities of firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, utility staff, the National Guard and other forward-operating groups. GIS also aids in selecting facilities, or creating virtual command centers, for department heads to collaborate, make decisions and develop priorities. As data are produced remotely from the field, forward-operating centers and other data stores, GIS integrates these data sets into one database. Updated maps, status reports and integrated intelligence are shared not only between emergency organizations, but also to the public as needed.

The last emergency management stage is recovery, which includes actions taken to return communities and affected areas to a level of normalcy. It can even mean forging ahead to create safer, more protected situations following an emergency than had previously existed. The recovery process not only includes rebuilding infrastructure, government services, and business and residential communities, but also providing financial assistance where applicable. Recovery involves short-term actions to quickly repair and maintain operations, as well as the long-term actions necessary to restore facilities to original, if not better, conditions.

GIS on mobile devices expedites difficult damage assessment problems. Spatial applications allow inspectors to code parcels with the degree of damage in order to visualize specific problems as well as area trends. Photographs and damage reports can be linked to specific geographic sites. Overall damage costs and priorities for reconstruction efforts can be assessed and analyzed by GIS based on appropriate local criteria.

The locations of businesses and supplies necessary to support reconstruction can be determined and routed to the right location at the right time of day. As the recovery process progresses, commanders can determine short-term actions for first aid and health care, additional shelter needs, alternative locations for government operations, alternative transportation routes for continued operations, and more. Commanders can also monitor, via updated maps and reports, construction progress by location or by specified query.

Similar to response, as new housing, power and water services, transportation routes, government aid, and other services are restored, information-rich recovery maps can be shared with other local, state and federal agencies, as well as with the public.

Complex, evolving emergency management problems require the best technology tools to develop efficient plans and capabilities. When complete and thorough analysis is conducted, effective emergency management plans can be developed and preparedness can be achieved; without adequate preparedness, quality response can't be sustained.

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Russ Johnson has been the public safety/homeland security director for ESRI since 1997. His responsibilities include coordinating ESRI's public safety industry marketing activities in the areas of homeland security, fire, emergency medical services, and disaster management. He also acts as liaison between ESRI and many public safety associations and professional societies.