Geographic information system (GIS) technology has the unique ability to combine information about objects or conditions in the world – typically physical objects or conditions—with precise information about exactly where they exist on the earth at a given point in time. This information, when stored in a geodatabase can be analyzed and displayed as a map on a screen or printed out.

The results of this analysis and visualization may look no different from the way an ordinary street map looks. But being digital and dynamic—not on paper and not static—GIS technology allows users to attach an almost unlimited amount of information to a location. This combination of characteristics has profound implications for public safety agencies tasked with protecting the public from natural and man made emergencies.

For 35 years, this basic idea of GIS has fueled the integration of geospatial technology across an astonishing array of endeavors: in almost every branch of local and federal government, and industries such as health care, agriculture, and natural resources, emergency management, telecommunications, marketing, location-based services run not just on PC desktops and from server farms, but also as services across the Web, in mobile devices for technicians or emergency responders in the field, and embedded within other applications.

More recently, public safety officials at all levels of government have developed geospatial technology programs designed specifically to assist in such activities as vulnerability assessment, risk reduction, prevention tactical response and disaster recovery.

Discover why we need GIS and how GIS is helping public agencies effectively allocate scare resources to protect the public from the natural and man made hazards in our communities.