MEMO TO AREA G CITIES REGARDING GIS FOR DISASTER PLANNING


Emergency planning is the key to saving lives and minimizing property damage in the event of a major disaster.  In the South Bay we have multiple risks from earthquakes, fires and potential disasters at any one of the area refineries, airports or harbors.

Truly effective disaster planning requires an understanding of how to prevent or minimize the consequences of emergencies.  An important part of this process is the identification of local hazards, infrastructure, essential facilities and response resources.

GIS is an extremely valuable tool for preparing for disasters.  However, the cost for implementing and using GIS is sometimes a significant barrier to effective disaster planning and recovery efforts.

To help cities deal with this problem, Area G is working with a non profit Technology Center - Palos Verdes on the Net (PVNET) - to provide Area G cities with a low cost internship GIS Disaster Mapping service to provide South Bay cities with these maps.

PVNET, a 501c3, has brought together in their new PVNET/ANNEX GIS Center in Rancho Palos Verdes, the tools and a cost effective intern program to implement a geographic information system (GIS) to prepare maps for emergency planning.

GIS maps graphically display such hazards as gas, electrical and water lines within the city.  They can also identify the location of schools and hospitals near the hazards.  The GIS system outputs maps and reports on to hard copy or digital copy for distribution.

The first phase of the project will involve the creation of detailed hazard and infrastructure interface maps.  Hazard locations (including underground pipe lines) will be mapped against local resources such as schools, markets, water, construction equipment and supplies.

GIS information can help answer the following questions:

Where is the emergency?
What secondary hazards might cause unanticipated problems at the disaster site?
What are the best access routes?
What nearby critical facilities might be impacted?

Cities will be charged for time and materials as follows: $25/hr intern stipends which includes an intern administration fee; $50/hr for Staff; and a $1000 one time setup fee for each City to setup base maps.

The staff at PVNET will provide a cost estimate for preparing the hazard maps for each city.  Cities are responsible for providing either existing GIS base maps,  or assessor’s GIS data, or provide a letter of authorization for PVNET to acquire the assessor’s data on their behalf.

To begin the process or for additional information, please go to this web address:  www.giscentral.org and click on Municipal Disaster Planning Project.  If you would like to meet at the facility for a demonstration, please call 310-544-5393 or send email to [email protected]