GIS for Critical Infrastructure Protection

GIS for Critical Infrastructure Protection highlights the GIS-based technologies that can be used to support critical infrastructure protection and emergency management. The book bridges the gap between theory and practice using real-world applications, real-world case studies, and the authors’ real-world experience. Geared toward infrastructure owners and first responders and their agencies, it addresses gaps in the response, recovery, preparedness planning, and emergency management of large-scale disasters. It also explains the first principles of CIP, introduces the basic components of GIS, and focuses on the application of GIS analysis to identify and mitigate risk and facilitate remediation. In addition, it offers suggestions on how geospatial and emergency response communities can come together―and with combined knowledge―work toward viable solutions for future improvements.

• Provides a narrative of critical lessons learned through personal experience during the response to Hurricane Katrina



• Contains examples demonstrating how geospatial technologies may be applied to fire service



• Summarizes lessons learned from ten community collaboration studies

GIS for Critical Infrastructure Protection serves as a reference for infrastructure owner’s police, fire, paramedics, and other government agencies responsible for crisis and emergency response, and critical infrastructure protection. The book benefits first responders and infrastructure owners working to ensure the continued safety and operability of the nation’s infrastructure.

Dr. Robert F. Austin is a member of the Association of American Geographers, and chairman of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee. He earned his doctorate in geography at the University of Michigan in 1977, and has enjoyed three careers: as a university professor from 1977 to 1985, a private sector scientist and consultant from 1984 to 2007, and a manager in local government from 2007 to 2014. He is also past president and director of the Geospatial Information and Technology Association, a past member of the board of the GIS Certification Institute, and a retired senior member of the IEEE.

David P. DiSera is a vice president and chief technical officer of EMA, Inc., and a member of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee. He is a past president, past director, and past research committee chair of the Geospatial Information and Technology Association (GITA). As a recipient of GITA’s Distinguished Service Award and a two-time recipient of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association National Leadership Award, DiSera has consulted in the field of geospatial and information technology for nearly 25 years. He has held chief information officer and chief technology officer positions, assisting utilities, local government, and the financial sector.

Talbot J. Brooks is the director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Geospatial Information Technologies at Delta State University, and a member of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee. He has served in every leadership role offered by the Geospatial Information and Technology Association, is a director for the GIS Certification Institute, and chairs the Technical Users Group for the Mississippi Coordinating Council for Remote Sensing and GIS. Brooks has served as a first responder since 1987, is an active member of the Bolivar County Volunteer Fire Department, and is an adjunct instructor for the Mississippi State Fire Academy and Nati