The role of GIS has become incorporated into disaster response enabling damage assessment and is capable of quickly delivering large amounts of information to large numbers of people. GIS can answer such questions as location and size of a natural disaster, value of assets, locations of hazards, or ranking vulnerability of certain areas as shown with the ESI layers in our assignment. Custom maps, graphs, or animations for special needs can be generated and easily communicated to the public like the current trajectory maps on the NOAA site. The trajectories exemplify the capability of GIS for complex calculations and probability based on numerous data including weather and software models already in place like ACP or CATS.
Software such as ACP enables GIS responders to access large amounts of data like positioning of oil containment booms or information for local salvage companies. It allows a GIS team with no knowledge of the area or experience with an oil spill to work with minimal outside direction and represents the collaborative efforts of government agencies for GIS disaster response. Geographic data in place allows the GIS team to respond quickly and customize information for specific needs and requests. It also enables decision makers and the community to have up to date information for focused awareness and preparedness. Disaster relief organizations can use the information to determine where best to allocate resources for cleanup and recovery. NOAA's response team produces daily trajectories with field verification of surface oil, fishery closures, and accounts of/inventories of rescued wildlife. A history of the Deepwater Horizon Incident and the GIS response will create important data for future events and response teams.
