GIS has proven to be a critical tool that can be used to enhance the planning process. With Disaster Management GIS can be used to answer critical questions a disaster manager may ask before, during or after an event. Additionally, GIS can be used to allow disaster managers to quickly assess and visually display information by location.
In 2007, the Centre worked with NEMA and the Red Cross Society to produce maps, which depicted the distribution of elevation across New Providence. Further, the Centre was tasked with the responsibility of mapping the shelters in closest proximity to the Adelaide Village area. Adelaide is considered a special case as it is located in a low-lying area, and roads closest to the area tend to become impassible with flooding.
Most recently (June 2008), the BNGIS Centre worked with The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Department of Social Services to map the hurricane shelters on New Providence and Inagua. The Centre remains committed to providing GIS Services to all governmental ministries and departments.
During the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, The BNGIS Centre provided a series of maps to assist NEMA’s Team in assessing hurricane Ike’s damage on the island of Inagua.