Homeland security is focused on three primary objectives. These objectives are protecting life, property, and critical infrastructure. Homeland security efforts require a multitude of critical tasks that incorporate both short- and long-range planning including risk assessment, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Technology and information are crucial in these efforts.
All emergencies, whether caused by nature or people, begin locally and elevate to regional, state, or national levels depending on severity, complexity, size, and nature of the event. During these events, emergency managers need the right information at the right time to deploy resources, implement evacuation plans, establish medical aid, and manage events as they unfold.
GIS is the core information and analysis tool that helps manage geographic-based and associated data. GIS has been embraced by professionals in all areas of government and business for conducting day-to-day operations as well as for planning, analysis, and decision-making.
GIS can be used to develop a community’s emergency response plan by identifying the location of schools, medical centers, staging areas, and evacuation routes. Analysis can identify transportation choke points near bridges or overpasses. During an emergency, GIS can be used to route response vehicles and quickly identify critical infrastructures such as water storage/treatment facilities, communications networks, electric generation facilities, refineries, and more.
The creation of an enterprise homeland security GIS database enables emergency managers to
-
Assess risks to community and infrastructure.
-
Establish specific mitigation/protection plans.
-
Determine the scale of the emergency.
-
Estimate rate of spread or progression.
-
Identify and evacuate at-risk populations.
-
Expedite and direct rescue efforts.
-
Provide accurate damage assessment.
-
Prioritize recovery efforts.
|
|
