The role of spatial information systems in environmental emergency management

The recent advances that have taken place in the development and use of spatial information systems by environmental professionals for emergency preparedness and response have made it an exciting new area for information science research. Although the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, have been widely publicized both in the United States and abroad, the unique data handling issues associated with the use of spatial information have not been satisfactorily addressed by the information management community. This article will review the use of spatial data by environmental managers and emergency responders who are charged with the responsibility to perform hazard assessments, identify the location of toxic and hazardous materials, deploy emergency resources, and review demographic data to ensure the safety of the public and the surrounding communities. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.