Public Health Preparedness

The key to using location intelligence is to build it into the public health emergency preparedness plan. Prepare early for the data and analysis you will require in responding to a crisis, and draw on past events. Data-driven decision-making is about using authoritative data to answer fundamental questions at a moment's notice. GIS is crucial because so many questions hinge on location data.

No matter how large or small the health response is, situational awareness is critical. Every health crisis requires support from a wide variety of disciplines, including public safety, human services, and health care. Those stakeholders need a common operational picture of what is happening and where so that they can communicate and collaborate effectively. GIS supports a range of communication and collaboration efforts.

Civic engagement can take on many forms before, during, and after a natural disaster or health emergency response. Location provides context for an emergency response that offers a more intuitive approach for public engagement and risk communication. The more people understand the effects of a crisis in relation to where they live, work, and play, the more engaged they become. GIS can support community education through storytelling with maps, public notifications, and citizen input.