Unit seven
The Role of Technology in Disaster management
Introduction
➢ Emergency Management Systems
➢ EMS and the Disaster Management Cycle
➢ Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Disaster Management
➢ GIS and the Disaster Management Cycle
➢ Challenges of using GIS in Disaster Management
➢ Global Positioning System (GPS) and Disaster Management
➢ Remote Sensing and Disaster Management
➢ Remote Sensing in Disaster management
➢ Self-Assessment
Introduction
While the role of technology could easily be integrated into various subtopics on emergency
and disaster management (EDM) we present it as a stand alone unit. Quite often the role of
technology in EDM is presented as an afterthought or simply omitted. In this unit we have
tried to be as basic as possible. If you wish to delve deeper into this subject matter we have
provided links for suggested reading and further study.
We start with a discussion of emergency management systems (EMS). EMS are merely
technological tools that are expertly used to improve and enhance the EDM process. We will
examine specifically the role that Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning
Systems (GPS) and Remote Sensing Technologies play in disaster management. While these
subjects are presented individually, it is important to note that in reality these technologies are
usually deployed in an integrated manner.
Emergency Management Systems
What is Emergency Management?
Emergency management is a discipline that involves the avoidance of risks, while
simultaneously putting plans in place to deal with disasters and emergency situations if and
when they do occur with a view to rebuild and restore society to a functional level in as short
a time as possible after a disaster. Emergency management is therefore a shared responsibility
between government and citizens of a country towards building a sustainable, disaster-resilient
society.
The ultimate purpose of emergency management is to:
a) save lives
b) preserve the environment
c) protect property
d) protect the economy
What are Emergency Management Systems (EMS)?
Emergency management systems are technological aids that facilitate the effective management
of disasters. EMS technology can assist in several areas that are critical to effective disaster
management, such as:
a) Drafting and testing of evacuation and general disaster plans (Evacuation Plans).
b) Establishment of shelters as well as informing the public of shelter locations, items that
should be taken to the shelter and general “shelter behaviour”.
c) Training personnel in effective shelter management, basic first aid and other “response”
skills (Manpower).
d) Establish a national warehouse and ensure that it is stocked with items for national
survival in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, before the arrival of overseas help
(Materials).
e) Setting-up reliable communication systems, such as, the traditional two-way CB-type
radios (Communication).
Putting transportation plans in place, which should include air transportation to facilitate air-lifts
and rescues, delivery of food supplies to severely affected areas cut-off from vehicular traffic and
comprehensive damage assessment activity (Transportation).
Figure 5: Diagram showing several disaster-related areas impacted by EMS
EMS and the Disaster Management Cycle:
It is important to note that the proper usage of technology can improve the effectiveness of
disaster management systems to aid the process of prevention, mitigation, preparedness,
response and recovery.
Prevention and Mitigation
Effective disaster management seeks to prevent hazards from developing into “full-blown”
disasters and further reduce the impact of disasters if and when they occur. Inventory
systems, Tracking, Detection, Driver authentication and Route planning software are
technological tools that can be used to aid in the process of disaster prevention and
mitigation.
Inventory systems:
Databases exist to help monitor inventory levels of critical supplies and equipment on a
continuous basis to ensure that adequate supplies are available to cover the upward surge in
demand that generally accompany disaster and emergency situations.
Tracking systems:
Vehicle-mounted hardware provide the capability to track Hazard Management (HAZMAT)
cargo and support the notification of management centres when a shipment deviates from its
intended route.
Detection:
Roadside detectors can monitor for the presence of hazardous cargo in sensitive areas and
confirm that the cargo is on the expected route.
Driver Authentication:
Driver authentication technology can confirm that the individual operating a HAZMAT
vehicle is authorized to do so and report operation by unexpected drivers to public safety
entities.
Route Planning:
EMS can provide assistance to commercial vehicle operators via electronic route planning
services, ensuring compliance with HAZMAT shipment restrictions along planned travel
routes.
Preparedness
The Preparedness component emphasizes the development of plans well in advance of the
disastrous situation (or event), to reduce confusion and restore order in as short a time as
possible when the disaster does happen. EMS can aid the preparedness process via
technological systems such as Advanced Automated Collision notification systems
(Advanced ACN) and Telemedicine.
Advanced ACN: Advanced automated collision notification systems use vehicle-mounted
sensors and wireless communication to notify emergency personnel and provide them with
valuable information on incidents such as crashes or collisions, including the exact location
and characteristics of the incident and possibly relevant medical information regarding the
vehicle occupants in the case of a vehicular collision.
Telemedicine: Telemedicine systems provide a link between responding ambulances and
nearby emergency medical facilities, enabling doctors to advise emergency medical
personnel regarding the treatment of patients en route to the hospital.
Response and Recovery
The Response Phase of the Disaster Management Cycle involves mobilization of emergency
services to provide immediate assistance to people affected by disasters. Recovery, by
extension, is concerned with issues and decisions that must be made after the initial needs
resulting from the disaster are addressed. EMS technology can aid the response and recovery
effort through the installation and utilization of Scheduling and Coordination software, Early
Warning Systems, Evacuation and Re-entry Management, Response Management and
Emergency Traveller Information systems.
Scheduling and Coordination software: Intricate scheduling systems can simultaneously
monitor and coordinate various response activities (such as search and rescue operations,
emergency medical assistance,
Early Warning Systems: The variety of sensors deployed on the transportation infrastructure can
help provide an early warning system to detect large-scale emergencies including natural disasters
(hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, winter storms, tsunamis, etc.) and technological and man-made
disasters (HAZMAT incidents, nuclear power plant accidents, and acts of terrorism including nuclear,
chemical, biological, and radiological weapons attacks). Early warning systems monitor alerting and
advisory systems, ITS sensors and surveillance systems, field reports, and emergency call-taking
systems to identify emergencies and notify all responding agencies of detected emergencies.
Response Management: Response management may include the tracking of emergency vehicle
fleets using automated vehicle location (AVL) technology and two-way communications between
emergency vehicles and dispatchers. Integration with traffic and transit management systems
enables emergency information to be shared between public and private agencies and the travelling
public.
Evacuation and Re-entry Management: Evacuation operations often require a coordinated
emergency response involving multiple agencies, various emergency centres, and numerous response
plans. Various communication technologies can support the management of evacuations, which may
also include a variety of traffic and transit management activities.
Emergency Traveller Information: Integration with traffic and transit management systems
enables emergency information to be shared between public and private agencies and the travelling
public. This communication and cooperation also enables the use of the variety of ITS information
dissemination capabilities to provide emergency traveller information.
Who is responsible for EMS?
Emergency Management is a shared responsibility between government and citizens of a
country towards building a sustainable, disaster-resilient society.
The Government usually exercises leadership at the national level. However, in an
emergency, the first response is almost always by the municipalities or the local-governing
authorities for the simple reason that disasters usually involve specific localized areas.
However, should the local government require additional resources in an emergency or
disaster response, then the federal government would respond quickly to any request for
assistance from the local governing bodies.
The importance of partnerships
All levels of society should be involved in emergency management. Individual citizens,
communities, municipalities, federal governments, emergency response personnel such as fire
prevention and health workers, the private sector, volunteers, academia and international
allies should all be involved in emergency management. Good partnerships based on effective
collaboration, coordination and communication are a key component of emergency
management systems.
Of tremendous importance, Emergency Management requires collaboration, coordination and
integration to facilitate complementary action by all partners to facilitate timely and effective
prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery measures to effectively deal
with disasters.
EMS and Community Resilience
EMS aims to strengthen the resiliency of communities and nations by helping them to
minimize the occurrence of disasters, reduce the impact and recover relatively quickly if and
when disasters do occur. Resiliency minimizes susceptibility to damage from disasters by
strengthening the capacity of the country to cope with, adapt to, respond, recover and learn
from disasters.
Continuous Improvement
After emergencies or disasters occur, it is very important to take time to identify and
document the lessons learnt from the experience. Doing so will increase future effectiveness
and improve emergency management practises and processes. Recovery from any major
disaster should be completed by documenting and internalizing the lessons learnt. If this is
done, continuous improvement and a reduction in the recurrence of problems should result.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Disaster Management
What does GIS mean?
Geographic Information Systems are information systems capable of integrating, storing,
editing, analyzing, sharing, and displaying geographically-referenced information. In a more
generic sense, GIS is a tool that allows users to create interactive queries (user created
searches), analyze the spatial information, edit data, maps, and present the results of all these
operations.
GIS Applications
GIS applications can be useful in the following activities:
To create hazard inventory maps: At this level GIS can be used for the pre-feasibility study
of developmental projects, at all inter-municipal or district level.
Locate critical facilities: The GIS system is quite useful in providing information on the
physical location of shelters, drains and other physical facilities. The use of GIS for disaster
management is intended for planners in the early phase of regional development projects or large
engineering projects. It is used to investigate where hazards can be a constraint on the
development of rural, urban or infrastructural projects.
Create and manage associated database: The use of GIS at this level is intended for planners
to formulate projects at feasibility levels, but it is also used to generate hazard and risk maps for
existing settlements and cities, and in the planning of disaster preparedness and disaster relief
activities.
Vulnerability assessment: GIS can provide useful information to boost disaster awareness with
government and the public, so that (on a national level) decisions can be taken to establish or
expand disaster management organisations. At such a general level, the objective is to give an
inventory of disasters and simultaneously identify “high-risk” or vulnerable areas within the
country.
GIS and the Disaster Management Cycle
Planning
The most critical stage of disaster management is the realization that there is a need for
planning based on the risk that is present. The extent to which lives and properties will be
spared the adverse effects of a disaster is dependent on the level of planning that takes place
and the extent to which technology has been incorporated in planning efforts. GIS is useful in
helping with forward planning. It provides the framework for planners and disaster managers
to view spatial data by way of computer based maps.
Mitigation
The use of GIS in disaster management can help with structural and nonstructural mitigation.
GIS allows you to spatially represent areas at risk and the level of risk associated with a
particular hazard, which can be a guide in decision making. It will facilitate the
implementation of necessary mechanisms to lessen the impact of a potential emergency. With
GIS, disaster managers are in a better position to determine the level of mitigative structures
that should be in place given the vulnerability of an area or population.
Preparedness
As a tool, GIS can help with the identification and location of resources and “at risk” areas. It
establishes a link between partners and critical agencies, which allow disaster managers to
know where relevant partner agencies are stationed. In the context of disaster management,
GIS maps can provide information on the human resources present in an Emergency Operation
Centre as well as on the ground personnel such as security, health providers and other key
responders. This is particularly useful since the technology can help with strategic placement
of emergency personnel where it matters most. GIS helps to answer the question of who is to
be based where and at what phase during the emergency. It can help to determine whether or
not road infrastructure and communications networks are capable of handling the effects of
disaster and, if necessary, guide in the placement of resources.
Response
GIS technology can provide the user with accurate information on the exact location of an
emergency situation. This would prove useful as less time is spent trying to determine where
the trouble areas are. Ideally, GIS technology can help to provide quick response to an affected
area once issues (such as routes to the area) are known. In the case of a chlorine explosion for
example, GIS can indicate the unsafe area as well as point rescue workers to resources that are
closest to the affected areas. GIS can be used as a floor guide for emergency response to point
out evacuation routes, assembly points and other evacuation matters.
Recovery
Mapping and geo-spatial data will provide a comprehensive display on the level of damage or
disruption that was sustained as a result of the emergency. GIS can provide a synopsis of what
has been damaged, where, and the number of persons or institutions that were affected. This
kind of information is quite useful to the recovery process.
GIS and Emergency Shelters
GIS technology can be used by shelter operators to capture specific personal details of persons
being housed at the shelter. It would also facilitate the process of stock demands and
distribution. The technology would capture information on the general makeup of the shelter,
that is, the number of children, adults, disabled or any other special occupants.
GIS and Distribution of Relief
“Food drops” in affected areas after a disaster is always likely to take place. The process can be
helped with the use of GIS, as maps can be generated which identify the specific areas where
clusters of victims are located and the unique needs of persons within these clusters.
Advantages of GIS
GIS as an innovative and interactive technology tool has more advantages than there are challenges.
GIS has the ability to represent spatial information over a wide geographic area. GIS accommodates 3-
dimensional graphics which will provide a more detailed viewed of its contents.
GIS technology facilitates the integration of different geo-spatial information; which can include models,
maps and other graphic forms.
GIS effectively analyzes, collects, manages and distributes up-to-date information.
GIS is versatile and easy to use – this requires little training to get individuals involved in the process.
Attribute table which forms a database- Given that information from GIS can be easily tabulated, it provides
a comprehensive pictorial overview of what is happening in the country. For example, GIS can show the
exact location of shelters across the country, or the sites where search and rescue operations have taken
place.
Challenges of using GIS in Disaster Management
Major impacts on life of people, economy and environment. In the context of emergency management,
GIS can impact people’s lives in a significant way as it reveals sometimes personal and people-specific
information.
Crucial decisions- Based on the information obtained from GIS mapping, it may require taking critical
(sometimes hard) decisions in the best interest of the affected area.
GIS being a technological tool can be complex and a bit difficult to grasp initially.
Large amounts of information (input) is usually required to get useful output from the system.
Time is critical during an Emergency- The decision-making process may be stalled during an emergency
due to:
the large volume of information required by the GIS system; and
the vast amount of time require to analyze the information before a decision is finally made.
Who can use GIS?
GIS can be used in any area of disaster management. Among the professionals within the disaster
management discipline who would find GIS useful are:
a) Emergency Planners
b) Meteorologists
c) Geologists
d) Telecommunications personnel
e) Security personnel
f) Health practitioners
Global Positioning System (GPS) and Disaster Management
What is GPS?
The term global positioning system (GPS) is used to refer to the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
developed by the United States Department of Defence. The proper name is The Navigation System with
Timing And Ranging Global Positioning System (NAVSTAR GPS) however the acronym GPS is typically
used. Though initially intended solely for US military purposes the GPS system was extended for civilian
use in the 1980’s. Popular applications include automobile and marine navigation, tracking, farming and
research. GPS is a grouping of 24 well-spaced satellites that orbit the earth and make it possible for people
with ground receivers to pin-point their exact geographic location with great accuracy. GPS equipment is
widely used across the globe and is sufficiently “low-cost” so that anyone can own a GPS receiver.
Application of GPS to Disaster Management
GPS is particularly useful during disasters because it operates in any weather, anywhere and at all times.
While it functions simply to give the location of the receiver, the level of precision of GPS makes it quite
useful in disaster management. In many instances GPS data is integrated with
Remote Sensing and Disaster Management
What is Remote Sensing?
Remote sensing is the use of electromagnetic (EM) wave radiation to acquire information about an
object or phenomenon, by a recording device that is not in physical or intimate contact with the object.
In other words, Remote Sensing is the acquisition of information about an object by a recording device
that is NOT in physical or intimate contact with the object.
As you read this material you are actually engaging in remote sensing; we do this so naturally that we
seldom realize it. We could take this a step further - we use telescopes to view distant planets. We are
definitely sensing objects remotely. In both cases the sensor is our eyes and the EM wave is light. If
the term EM waves seems new to you it shouldn’t. Everyday light, radio waves and microwaves and
x-rays are examples of EM waves. EM waves transport energy and information from one place to
another. They are used in cellular networks, microwave ovens, portable radios, x-ray machines and
satellites systems.
Remote sensing in the context of disaster management usually refers to the technology that includes
man-made sensors that are attached to aircrafts, or satellites. Instead of viewing a far away planet from
earth, the sensing equipment is usually high above looking down at our ‘distant’ planet - earth. Distant
in this context can mean just a few hundred feet overhead or miles above the earth’s surface (see
Figure 7).
Unit summary
In this unit you learned about the role of technology in disaster management and we examined the
usefulness of Emergency Management Systems (EMS). In addition, we looked at the unique
contributions of
Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Remote
Sensing Systems (RSS) to aid in the effective management of disasters.
Self - Assessment
Select the option which best defines Emergency Management Systems?
1. Disaster-based work systems
2. Any technical or technological aid that facilitates information sharing,
coordination of critical resources and the effective management of
disasters.
3. Emergency policies that help governments to manage disasters by
organizing the flow of work from one department to another.
4. Technology-based systems that make the work of disaster management
officials easier, by routing all information to a centrally controlled
government computer.
