GIS: The Cornerstone of Modern Public Safety Management in Small Island Developing States
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is the cornerstone of all modern public safety organisations. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are particularly vulnerable to challenges posed by physical and economic isolation and vulnerability to man-made and natural disasters. Public safety agencies lead the response to these disasters that often devastate communication and transportation infrastructure, and limit the ability of external agencies to provide support. Rapid physical development, coupled with budgetary constraints, affects the ability of public safety agencies to effectively meet the needs of their communities. There has, however, been growing recognition of the need for the strategic adoption of innovative technologies to advance public safety management capabilities. Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies are uniquely designed to support and empower greater situational awareness, location intelligence, and interagency collaboration. GIS can be used to an...