Geographic Information System (GIS) is a system that digitally creates and manipulates spatial areas. The system stores, edits analyses and shows topographic information that is critical in decision-making. GIS applications enable creation of interactive queries, analysis and editing and then present results. This is beneficial in management of disasters. Disaster management signifies preparedness involving a chain of measures incorporating disaster prevention, emergency response as well as reconstruction. Many organizations federal, state and non-governmental as well as businesses, public health benefit from GIS technology. Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is actively involved in improving and publicly availing geo-processing specifications using Web Map Service and Web Feature Service protocols. OGC divides GIS products or software into two categories, compliant and implementing products, based on their level of compatibility with OGC specifications, which aid them in communication. In recent times, an explosion of online mapping applications has given the public enormous geographic information. The use of GIS in disaster management involves three stages namely, prevention, emergency response, and recovery and reconstruction.

GIS in Disaster Management

Disaster Preparedness

In disaster prevention, GIS manages the needed information prior to occurrence of a disaster that helps in forward planning and preparedness. Technical organizations investigate available data to predict occurrence of disasters. GIS is able to map and predict instances of calamities such as earthquake, tsunamis and even trail storms using geotechnical information together with previous and other prediction models. Gathering accurate of information on the ground as an emergency unfolds is vital to an effective response. GIS is critical in the quick establishment of full situational awareness by connecting human beings, processes and information together through application of geography. For instance, vulnerable areas to earthquakes can be identified through mapping and analysis of the relationship...

This enables focused mitigation efforts that could involve retrofitting existing structures, enforcing and implementing tougher building codes for new buildings in these areas. In addition, this information is critical to disaster prevention organizations in formulating measures for establishment of evacuation sites, damage reduction to human beings, animals as well as property. The GIS technology establishes and enhances preparedness by providing detailed data management optimizing comprehensive analysis of the situation and supporting the emergency personnel. It also makes it possible for the police and other relevant agencies to provide instructions and safety confirmations to residents.
In emergency preparedness, GIS enables complete integration with other information systems, offers standards-based design for real interoperability. It also stores and analyses types of data capabilities and accurate cataloging. In addition, GIS enables decision support by supplying GIS-based common operating picture, establishing common reference point in communication and collaboration among emergency agencies and departments. It provides resource management for quick and strategic deployment of emergency personnel, supplies and equipment as well as enabling live data feeds.

Emergency Management

Emergency organizations benefit from GIS in reducing vulnerabilities. They establish supporting response and recovery missions. GIS in this regard has the ability to provide a comprehensive package of casualty and damage assessment tools as well as information and map layers pointing at characteristics of population and infrastructure. Accurate information gathering from the field operations to the command post is a challenging task. GIS makes it possible for emergency personnel to capture data and send it back for incorporation in the common operating image and this enables emergency managers get more accurate and dynamic information of conditions on the ground. Through GIS, new information can be sent to the emergency personnel so…