Geographical Information System Operationalizing for Use in Domestic Consequence Management

摘要

Whether your organization is involved in emergency planning, response, or mitigation, the use of an effective geographical information system (GIS) that draws upon satellite imagery can greatly enhance all phases of consequence management to support the security of the homeland. The Joint Task Force Civil Support is a joint military organization that leverages the power of GIS to support the Federal Government in planning for and potentially responding to a full range of high-consequence management events in the United States. Joint Task Force Civil Support is a deployable component of U.S. Northern Command and is chartered to rapidly respond with life-saving support in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) incident in the continental United States and its territories and possessions. Although Joint Task Force Civil Support brings a variety of unique capabilities to the fight, the focus of this article is the use of GIS to support the full spectrum of the command's CBRNE consequence management mission. GIS capabilities play a critical role in all aspects of pre-incident planning. As a tool, GIS can provide a comprehensive view of an operational environment to Joint Task Force Civil Support prior to a CBRNE event occurring. With the help of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and other Federal Interagency partners, Joint Task Force Civil Support has compiled, organized, and warehoused an extensive database of geospatial information for the United States, including the locations of chemical and hazardous material facilities, nuclear power plants, first responder and medical service assets, and other critical infrastructure sectors and key asset categories. GIS allows Joint Task Force Civil Support to rapidly begin its mission planning and provide its higher headquarters, U.S. Northern Command, an initial assessment of a CBRNE event, either before or after the incident.