Using GIS in Emergency Management in Chester County, Pennsylvania

摘要

The Department of Emergency Services (DES) in Chester County, Pennsylvania, began using geographic information systems (GIS) in its ComputerAided Dispatch Division in the late 1990s. In the beginning, GIS was used as a repository for countywide geographic data in the emergency-911 dispatching system. The county employed an outside consulting firm for creating the data repository. Once the data repository was created, Chester County's own GIS staff assumed the responsibility of maintaining the dispatch geography. In addition to providing database maintenance services, Chester County GIS Services also partners with the Emergency Management Division of the DES to map resources for the annual nuclear preparedness exercise. Chester County GIS Services also provides staffing support for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergency events.