Title: Successful application of GIS technology for post-9/11 disaster management: overcoming challenges, capitalising on advantages

Authors: Monica Teets Farris, Shirley Laska, Michael Wesley, Robert Sternhell

Addresses: Center for Hazards Assessment, Response and Technology (CHART), University of New Orleans, CERM Building, Suite 339, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA. ' Center for Hazards Assessment, Response and Technology (CHART), University of New Orleans, CERM Building, Suite 339, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA. ' Solutient, Inc., University of New Orleans Research and Technology Park, 2021 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 310, New Orleans, LA 70122, USA. ' Solutient, Inc., University of New Orleans Research and Technology Park, 2021 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 310, New Orleans, LA 70122, USA

Abstract: Post-9/11 conditions have modified disaster management requirements increasing the need for quick access to an array of geocoded information about community critical infrastructure, populations at risk and risk response resources needed for emergency incident decision making. Concomitantly, the risk assessment and risk reduction requirements to prevent disasters from occurring that have emerged post 9/11 require similar data. Merging the needs of the different disaster response phases into the same GIS creates a powerful tool. The process of creating the system, in turn, serves to develop organisational and community capacity needed for 21st century disaster management. This article reports on the creation of such a GIS-based software application, E3R.

Keywords: community-level decision making; disaster management; emergency management; geographical information systems; GIS; risk assessment; critical infrastructures; crisis response; risk reduction; collaboration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRAM.2006.009539

International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management, 2006 Vol.6 No.4/5/6, pp.423 - 439

Published online: 21 Apr 2006 *

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