Challenges for the Application of GIS Interoperability in Emergency Management

This paper highlights application challenges for GIS interoperability for emergency management with emphasis on critical infrastructure sectors. In the first part, this paper provides a comparative analysis of emergency management operations in the City of Vancouver; the City of Toronto, the Kitchener Waterloo Region, and the Dufferin County. A variety of qualitative research methods were employed for gathering information from key decision-makers involved with emergency management. The second part of this paper presents a scenario-based case study, which aims to provide a demonstration of the utility of GIS interoperability, for disaster management. This paper also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of leveraging GIS interoperability for disaster management.