In the wake of a disaster, data-driven maps that harness technology can be a true lifesaver. Using geographic information science (GIS) in emergency management can make an enormous impact in mitigating, responding to and recovering from a major event.
After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017, darkness fell across the island. Residents were left without power for months on end, and food and water shortages were widespread. Many people didn’t know where to turn for aid until a small group of volunteers and developers created CrowdRescueHQ Puerto Rico Map. Using this tool, residents could quickly communicate what they needed and emergency responders and volunteers accessing the map could immediately gain new insights on where and how they could help.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in Houston that same year, two developers from Crowdsource Rescue had the idea of geolocating calls for help gathered from social media and placing them on a map, so that those who were able to assist could rescue trapped or stranded individuals. To date, the public safety platform has helped more than 50,000 people, not just in Houston, but also in the Carolinas following Hurricane Florence and in Florida following Hurricane Michael.
These examples of using GIS in emergency management to help people after a disaster are reactionary, but GIS can also be used to help residents understand what is at risk before an emergency event takes place.
Take ReadySanDiego.org, for example. The site, which was designed by the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, alerts residents to hazards that might impact the area where they live. Users simply enter their address, and the site leverages spatial data from The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire and Resource Assessment Program to assess the likelihood of diasters like wildfire in their area. It then goes a step further, educating them on these hazards and sharing advice about how to be prepared in case of an emergency.
Like San Diego, other municipalities can benefit from using GIS in emergency response to prepare for hurricanes, earthquakes, forest fires and flooding. Using GIS in emergency management is a safe and secure way of predicting what populations will be impacted, determining how to most efficiently get resources where they’re most needed, tracking what progress has been made in recovery and more.
Fill out the information below to learn more about the University of Southern California’s GIS Graduate Programs and download a free brochure . If you have any additional questions, please call 877-650-9054 to speak to an enrollment advisor.
GIS and emergency management revolve around planning, analysis and action. These areas can be improved by spatial analysis, which seeks to analyze patterns of human behavior in a particular location. When used correctly, spatial analysis can help emergency responders act and prevent fatalities, injuries and damage in order to help communities return to normalcy as quickly and safely as possible. Here are some examples of how spatial analysis can be used in emergency management:
Those with a passion for geography, data, analysis, problem-solving and helping people are well-suited for a fulfilling career that pairs GIS and emergency management tactics. Understanding both GIS technology and spatial analysis methodologies allows experts to identify, map and analyze vulnerabilities before they happen, respond to them faster when they occur and aid in recovery.
These skills are also widely applicable to a number of industries that use GIS and may intersect with emergency management. They include but are not limited to environmental sciences and security, homeland security, forestry management, medicine and health, government, transportation, social services, water resources and more. Frequently, candidates for these types of positions excel in dynamic roles where chaos may be a part of jobs that revolve around risk mitigation, threat response and disaster planning.
Other key skills for people interested in pursuing an education and career in GIS include analytical and critical thinking, project management, expertise in spatial modeling, data processing programming, communication and leadership.
GIS professionals can bring invaluable emergency management skills to any number of organizations including federal agencies such as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In addition, a number of non-profit and private organizations work in the area of emergency relief and the community and social services industries. Here’s a sampling of some of the professions—and earnings— that could benefit from a GIS degree or certificate.
| Job Title | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Atmospheric scientists (including meteorologists) | $99,740 |
| Geoscientist | $93,580 |
| Geographer | $85,430 |
| Emergency management director | $59,054 |
| Urban and regional planners | $75,950 |
| Geographic information systems analyst | $59,967 |
| Law enforcement (police/detective) | $67,290 |
| Cartographer/photogrammist | $68,380 |
| GIS technician | $46,200 |
| Conservation scientists and park rangers | $39,131 |
| Surveyor | $65,590 |
| Geospatial analyst | $59,967* |
| Remote sensing analyst | $69,087* |
| Geographic information systems coordinator | $58,022* |
*Average salary reported instead of median
Note: Salary information was informed by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Burning Glass, Glassdoor and Payscale (2020-2021)
The University of Southern California offers a comprehensive selection of online and residential GIS programs. This includes both GIS master’s degrees and GIS graduate certificates. Click on the programs below to learn about our leading geographic information science education.
GIS Master’s Degrees
GIS Graduate Certificates
*The application for the residential graduate certificates and online M.S. in Spatial Economics and Data Analysis (SEDA) program will open in early August.
Catalina Island Excursion
Students in the M.S. in GIST, M.S. in HSGI and Graduate Certificate in GIST programs will participate in a week-long fieldwork excursion.
Info Session
Join us for the Graduate GIS Programs Information Session
September 26 at 12 p.m. PTConnect with us
