Disaster/Emergency Management GIS Applications

Presentation Overview Jordan Everhart – E Team Nathan Dean – CATS David Halliday- EmerGeo Patrick Young - Autodesk

Disaster vs. Emergency Disaster – Natural, man-made (terrorism) Emergency – House fires, HAZMAT, bomb threats

Product Description E Team is a real-time software program that caters to all four phases of emergency management (preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery), allowing maximum response to both large scale disasters and every day emergencies.

Disaster Functions Perform large scale exercises Hazard modeling Identify and map critical assets and infrastructure Gather and share critical information with several agencies at once

Emergency Functions Track and map incidents of all types Intelligence and tip reporting Request, deploy and track resources Personnel Management Asset and Infrastructure damage Conduct situation reports

Pros and Cons Import shape files, CAD drawings and CATS modeling tools Browser-based Can be successfully used for both disasters and emergencies Pocket PC version Cost Common user interface for tasks, reports and views Training Poor reference manual

CATS (Consequences Assessment Toolset) “CATS is a consequence management tool package that integrates hazard prediction, consequence assessment, emergency management tools, and critical population and infrastructure data within a commercial Geographical Information System.” GIS used to forecast and model potential hazardous events and the response to those events

Disaster Functions Use of realistic scenarios of disaster events, predicting areas likely to be effected and how Assesses resulting damage to facilities and infrastructure Creation of mitigation strategies, including displaced population support Determines optimum evacuation routes Contains models for converting spatial and physical data into casualty probabilities Identifies and locates resources for and effective and sustained response

Emergency Functions Use of realistic scenarios of emergency events, predicting the shape of hazard areas Recommends the most effective road block distribution and routing options Mitigation analysis, including medical resources queries and identification of best suitable medical facilities Provides update to emergency response personnel

Pros and Cons Pros Use of various scenario models allows assessment advisors and emergency personnel to plan optimal responses Operates within a full featured GIS (ArcGIS with Spatial Analysis) Analytical tools allow users to combine multiple layers of information Geo-spatial database, including imagery, maps, and population and infrastructure data Capable of communicating with E Team to provide real-time updates to emergency personnel Software is free Cons Not a stand alone application, requires ArcGIS Focused more towards disaster rather than emergency events Primarily focus is for planning and mitigation purposes, and not as much with immediate response

Product Description EmerGeo was developed to meet the demanding mapping needs of emergency planners and responders. EmerGeo is a web based GIS mapping add on package designed to work in conjunction with an organization’s existing systems and data. EmerGeo utilizes easy drawing tools, standard map symbols and Open GIS allowing first responders to perform mapping functions.

Disaster Functions Uses US Department of Homeland Security’s new standardized map symbols and terminology Hazard modeling for earthquake, flood and chemical spread Automated Logging of drawing activities on map provides a record of ‘what happened’ enabling a ‘replay’ function to review response activities for debriefings and future planning Open GIS allows for interdepartmental response coordination Evacuation areas with address generation

Emergency Functions Traffic control functions Coordination between departments Chemical plume modeling

Pros and Cons Easy to use Standard map symbols Can read standard GIS platforms -.dxf.dgn.shp Open GIS standards New company, new software Redundant capabilities Limited emergency functions

Product Description Autodesk Emergency Response Solutions is a suite of GIS applications that prepares for, responds to, and manages disasters. Crisis Command is one of those applications that provides both tactical and strategic capabilities for first responders and emergency response officials.

Emergency Features Incident reporting and notification Critical asset tracking Landmark and resource information Fire attack pre-planning Bomb blast analysis Sniper/counter sniper capabilities Plume (flow) analysis National Emergency Response Guide (ERG) –Digital manual to industry-standard chemical information

Disaster Features Pre-impact damage prediction Evacuation routes Information on predesignated shelters During- and post-impact search and rescue Post-impact damage assessment Management and distribution of geospatial data and maps across the internet using MapGuide Analysis on predicting some storm surges and damage Built in warning systems

Pros & Cons Pros: –Easy data input through standard forms –Mobile access to data and software –Dynamic 3D visualization –Support of an industry leader Cons: –Requires AutodeskMapGuide to run which must be purchased separately –Does not offer an E911 solution –Runs $7,612 for Crisis Command and $3,260 for AutodeskMap 6.0

Comparison Table ApplicationEmergencyDisaster Data Inter- operability Application Inter- Operability End User Learning Curve Cost GoodFairYes Steep$30,000 FairExcellent/ Good Conversion Tools Provided NoLow/Fair Free (ArcGIS bundle $2,500) FairGoodYes LowNot Available GoodFair Conversion Tools Provided No Low $3,200 $7,600 (MapGuide)