Geomantics in Emergency Planning and Management :Canadian Forest Fire management Experience
Dr. P. Chagarlamudi
Geomatics Canada ,
Department of Natural resources 615 Booht Street,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada KIA 0E9
E-mail: pchagarl@nrcan.gc.ca
Abstract
Emergency planners and managers are routinely confronted with a maze of complex decisions that require reliable information extracted from accurate and often current spatial data. Emergency management is a comprehensive system set up by governments, private sector agencies and individual to address natural and human -indicated hazards. Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery programs are the four parts or components of this system. Canada, like other countries, has as obligation to protect its peoples and the environment from hazards.
Geomatics is an information technology sector focusing on the acquistion, storage, analysis, dissemomaton and management of geographically referenced information. . geomantic Canada, the principal mapping agency of the government of Canada, maintains in its databases a variety of geographic information that is critical in responding to a majority of emergencies. Global Positioning systems (GPS) and remote sensing are some of the newer sources for creating the spatial data layers that can be manipulated using a geographic information systems system (GIS) to aid in decision making.
The significance of the spatial databases and the utility of geomantic technologies to efficient emergency management are presented through the Canadian wildland Information System developed by Natural Resources Canada. Particular focus is placed on integrating remote sensing data products with a GIS to provide managers with new tools to enhance support in planning and managing emergency operations.
Introduction
All governments have an obligation to protect their peoples and the environment from hazards.Its geography, demography , social systems and institutions, political system and foreign policy dictated the manner in which emergency management is conducted and organized in a country. Natural and human-induced hazards such as earthquakes, floods and forest fires, kill thousands of people and destroy billions of dollars of property each year. Thimely and accurate geographic information is essential for carrying out rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts thus minimizing effects of these hazards
1.
The Government of Canada ha identified about 60 types of emergencies that might affect Canadians
2. they range from forest fires, large floods, transportation and industrial accidents to severe earthquakes. Cooperation among government and other organizations and people is s trademark of Canada's emergency planning and management practice. Three levels of government-local, provincial and federal-cooperate and share resources and information in this practice, although the responsibility ofr meeting emergency situation rests with the level of government most directly affected. Each of the three levels of governments maintains spatial information relevant to management operation in the geographic region of its jurisdiction. The national mapping agency, Geomatics Canada, provides geographic information covering the Canadian landmass
Emergency Planning and Management in The Canadian Context
Canada is a vest landmass. Living within the ten million square kilometers of sovereign territory, comprising virtually every geological and ecological features found on the earth, are roughly 29 million people. The great diversity of Canadian geography, environment and economic activity contribute to a variety of potential threats that must be considered within the emergency spectrum. Emergency preparedness Canada, a deferral government organization, plays a key role in the development and maintenance of an appropriate level of civil emergency preparedness across Canada.
Canada's emergency management is based on the following principles
2. first it is up to the individual to know what to do in an emergency. If the individual is unable to cope, the different orders of government are needed. Local emergency response organizations are normally the first on the scene. If they are overwhelmed, they may seek assistance from the province or territory, which in turn, will ask the federal government for help if necessary. In practice, emergency response management is based upon an active and cooperative partnership between all levels of government, public and private organizations, and the population at large. Emergency management in Canada is comprehensive system set up to address natural and human induced hazards and has four parts or programs: Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery.
