Spatial data infrastructures for emergency services and security management

Abstract

Spatial information plays a major role in case of an emergency or when taking security measures. Emergency services need information of high relevance, quality and timeliness to prepare decisions and to control the assignment of people and equipment in case of emergencies. In most countries of the world spatial data infrastructures (SDI) are under development. This paper will review the current situation of information availability and exchange in emergency and disaster cases and will identify the existing problems for integration of information. SDIs are focusing on this critical process of efficient integration of information. Thus, they may be powerful tools to improve information access and availability in emergency scenarios. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.