GIS Software: Technological Helper in Disaster Recovery

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is the latest development in technology to help with recovery efforts during a natural disaster. GIS is designed to provide a complete assessment of the damage with clear aerial images of the disaster hit area before and after the disaster. The robust system will help address disaster recovery concerns such as taking stock of the physical inventories, shelter locations, damage assessment and service outage.

In a release, Dr. Stephen McElroy, GIS program chair for American Sentinel University, said, “GIS analysts have the knowledge and expertise to apply GIS tools and techniques to aid in natural disaster response and recovery efforts. GIS provides GIS analysts with the capability of evaluating the extent of the damage and identifying where people may require immediate medical attention or rescue.”

By effectively deploying GIS, it is easy to assess the actual number of affected people and ensure that adequate resources are being made available in the disaster recovery process. This also enables GIS analysts to help route the funds and supplies to various locations based on the intensity of the damage.

GIS allows the captured images to be uploaded on laptops and other mobile devices or by creating web applications, thus allowing the images to reach the right people at the right time working to provide first response and recovery support in the disaster hit area. Printed hard copies of these images and maps can be circulated to the field workers engaged in fixing the public utility outages.

According to Dr. McElroy the data integration combined with satellite images can bring about a drastic change in the way disaster response teams work today. Knowing where to concentrate efforts and prioritizing the relief efforts will ensure an effective remedy in combating the deadly blow from the nature. Images embedded with location coordinates also help the insurance sector to rightly assess the damage, which will be a key factor in processing claims at a later stage.

American Sentinel University offers bachelor’s and master’s degree program in GIS along with online certification programs in GIS, business intelligence and computer information systems. The university has accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, the agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.