Vinson Institute Helps State Emergency Officials Identify Sites Most Vulnerable to Natural Disasters
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) has partnered with Vinson Institute information technology specialists to develop the 2010 State Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The Institute's primary responsibilities include using the most up-to-date Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data available to update numerous maps, tables, and charts. "Information we are analyzing will help GEMA officials identify which localities are most vulnerable to natural disasters that can occur in the state, including tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, forest fires, and floods," explains Lawton Brantley, GIS production coordinator.
For the first time, emergency officials will also have the ability to utilize data available through the Building Lease and Land Inventory (BLLIP) website. "This information can be used to evaluate which state properties and agencies are most at risk in disaster situations," Brantley says. (BLLIP is an award-winning Web-based geographical information system developed by Institute information technology specialists that allows authorities to query, search, and generate reports about the multitude of the state’s owned or leased properties and buildings.)
The plan will be submitted to federal emergency authorities in Fall 2010.
