NCJ Number
209330
Journal
Homeland Defense Journal Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2005 Pages: 19-24
Date Published
January 2005
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article provides an overview of how geospatial information systems (GIS) are increasing the public’s safety.
Abstract
In the past several years, GIS has evolved from a highly complex technology to a system that is used by thousands of people for a variety of purposes. The author reviews the various ways the Federal Government has made use of GIS, such as for the assessment of potential waste management sites, to forecast global production numbers for grains, and for the management of water resources. The use of GIS is growing at the local government levels, as well. Estimates indicate that 97 percent of local governments with populations of over 100,000 and 56 percent of governments with populations of less than 50,000 use GIS technology. GIS technology has provided several life-saving applications during the past year, including the provision of detailed information on hurricanes and flooding, as well as predictions of probable wildfire direction. A case study of how Arizona uses GIS technology to suppress drug trafficking operations is offered to illustrate one of the many important uses of GIS. Despite its promising uses, implementing GIS across all Federal, State, and local agencies may prove difficult, yet progress is being made to link all agencies so that a coordinated response can be initiated in the event of a crisis. Areas of ongoing concern toward this end are identified as the need to develop national data standards, the need to complete framework themes, and the need to implement consistent and standardized road data across the Nation. Figures