GIS is an essential technology for all phases of emergency management: preparation, mitigation, response, and recovery.

To prepare for and mitigate emergencies, GIS can map and model potential disasters to help visualize critical vulnerabilities and damage consequences. As rebuilding begins, GIS aids local, and national agencies with technology that supports collaboration between multiple agencies.

Field data captured with mobile GIS provides the ability to add updates from remote locations for more efficient incident management. It also supplies rapid damage assessment and more accurate recovery operations.

Maps are an essential tool for public safety. GIS extends the capability of maps to provide intelligent, interactive visualization of location-based data and analysis.