Special Population Planner
for Emergency Preparedness
The SPP is the first geographic information system (GIS)-based software tool designed to facilitate emergency planning for special-needs populations. The SPP graphically displays data about persons with special needs in households and facilities.
This modeling system also allows planners to visualize nearby structures and geographic features, various threat
scenarios, and response plans developed on behalf of the special-needs population. Furthermore, the SPP can
accommodate additional map layers to allow customization of the display for a variety of hazards and response
modes.
Process:
The SPP process allows planners to look at all aspects of developing and improving emergency response plans for
special-needs populations
• Develop
o Hazard analyses
o Needs assessments
• Visualize emergency responses
o "War-gaming"
o Resource loading
• Track and update
o Data on persons with special needs
o Data on facilities housing persons with special needs
o Changes in community surroundings
• Customize
o Data reports
o Map displays
o Embedded plan formats
Benefits:
• GIS capabilities
o Facilitate hazard-specific planning using the full range of ArcView tools, plus emergency planning–
specific extensions
o Allow integration with other geocoded data sets (911 data and counter-terrorism task force hazmat data)
o Permit easy user modification when the available GIS street address data are incomplete or need
updating
o Enable planners to easily match resources to needs
• Structured data tables and reports
o Work easily with data formatted in either Microsoft Access or Oracle
o Provide intuitive user access to key information about individuals and groups with special needs
o Include direct-mail updates
• Graphical user interface
o Makes "invisible” special-needs population visible to the public and decision makers
o Eases volunteer recruitment
o Facilitates demonstration of Americans with Disabilities Act compliance