Next Generation Emergency Mapping

Abstract

In recent years, geo- and earth observation technologies have developed into essential tools to support civil protection and disaster management by providing added value to crisis information. Several mechanisms for emergency mapping have been established at different (inter)national levels, at European level the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS). These services should be subject to constant development through constant progress in technology and method development. Novel data sources such as various Earth Observation sensors, but also web-based data sources and their fusion can be used to provide more dynamic crisis information at different stages of the crisis cycle. The handling of large amounts of data or innovative forms of visualisation can be profitably incorporated into crisis mapping. In order to connect the two communities: research and development (R&D) with the operational crisis management (CM) and to ensure a mutual exchange, EU projects, especially in for service development, and new frameworks as shown in DRIVER+ are essential. In this way, research results can be selected, further developed, tested and prepared for operationalisation.