0.11 12. information technology

Objectives:

To understand the role of information technology in disasters

To appreciate barriers to implementing information technologies

We discuss applications of geographical information systems, training in virtual environments for first responders, barriers to the implementation of information technologies, difficulties that arise in disaster responses, and the impacts on organizations of adopting information technologies.

Example

Jessica porter

Principle:

The disaster mitigation, management and recovery process should accept and utilize technology and its many incredible possibilities in making information and data readily available to anyone.

Key Terms:

Global Positioning Systems (GPS): is a space-based global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that provides location and time information in all weather and at all times and anywhere on or near the Earth when and where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.

Geographic Information System (GIS) or geospatial information system: is a computer system that captures, stores, analyzes, manages and presents data with reference to geographic location data. It is a merging of cartography, statistical analysis and database technology.

Reading Quote:

“Recent areas of application of GIS methods in humanitarian emergencies include hazard, vulnerability, and risk assessment; rapid assessment and survey methods; disease distribution and outbreak investigations; planning and implementation of health information systems; data and programme integration; and programme monitoring and evaluation” (Disasters, 2003, pg.127).

“In theory, if responders have perfect information, they find victims and assist them immediately. However, in practice, rescue agents do not know exactly who needs what kinds of help in which locations” (Disasters and Response Systems, 299).

Justification of Principle:

The use of technology for the collection of information and data management could help agencies coordinate their efforts and make sure that all their bases are covered because it connects people right away and there is no waiting around for a response or for the phone lines and cell phone towers to be repaired.

Relevance to Social Work:

The agencies and first responders in disasters could benefit from the use of technology to do assessments and get help in real time. It also reduces the amount of paper used on site that has a potential to get lost in the shuffle. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) use satellites and can get a signal from anywhere around the world or down the block. The use of Geographic Information System (GIS) could also helps with disaster preparation and further disaster management research which could be aided or conducted by a social worker.

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