GIS for Pandemic Zoning: Application of Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

This paper examines the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) in mass casualty zoning for a pandemic in the city of Brampton, Ontario. Canadians in general are familiar with the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the effect that it had on medical care facilities, human resources, and national economy. In the year of 2009, Canadians were faced with another pandemic, the H1N1 influenza. These pandemics created widespread panic among many residents and the lessons learned is that health officials need to effectively plan for another outbreak. Focusing on Brampton as one of the western cities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in the Province of Ontario, Canada; where there is urbanization and concentration of population served by one main medical health facility, i.e., Brampton Civic Hospital. This research examined the capacity of current facility to deal with emergency surge. Specifically, where there is a need for large number of health care professionals to deal with emergency situations. The paper provides a model for emergency management professionals to utilize GIS as a decision-making tool in assessing the risks, tracking outbreaks, maintaining situational awareness, during pandemic outbreaks. It provides analysis of means and ways for minimizing disruptions which may occur in a community.