Integrative Technologies in Support of GIS-Based Postdisaster Response

Abstract

Innovations in interoperability and internet map server (IMS) technology allow for the rapid creation of a targeted, portable, and low-cost solution for postdisaster response and recovery using remotely sensed imagery and other data. This paper will highlight the development of a low-cost and rapidly developed IMS application as a single portal using integrative technologies to access very large data stores, including nationwide geocoding databases, large image Web servers storing multigigabyte remotely sensed imagery, dynamically changing data stored in warehouse databases, and other large IMS applications maintained by federal, state, and local organizations. The system is, therefore, an assembly of existing data through a central portal, with only limited (yet mission critical) data collected at the disaster site, enabling rapid assembly of an overall command and control center for emergency responders and managers, and an information portal to citizens.