Abstract
 Disaster Preparedness for Human Services: A GIS Vulnerability Index Track: Health and Human Services Author(s): Richard Faris, John Bizelli, Amy Hoyt, Courtney Sullivan In Florida's multiple-hurricane disaster of 2004, local human services agencies played a major role in response efforts. The disaster exposed the disproportionate vulnerability of lower-income communities and their concentrated need for post-disaster assistance. The Lee County Department of Human Services has developed a predictive "Vulnerability Index" in GIS based on inputs of socio-economic factors such as income and housing tenure. Unlike forecasting tools that focus on natural conditions and physical infrastructure risk, this Index maps the geographic concentrations of human vulnerability and risks to the social infrastructure. Vulnerability indicators were selected, weighted for predictive value, and mapped for County subdivisions. The resulting Vulnerability map project will be demonstrated by overlaying the recorded geographic distribution of human services assistance (food, counseling, etc.) in the 2004 disaster event. A positive correlation of concentrations will support the "Vulnerability Index" as a preparedness-planning tool. Richard Faris Lee County, Florida Human Services 83 Pondella Road, Ste 1 North Fort Myers , FL 33903 US Phone: (239) 652-7958 Fax: (239) 652-7960 E-mail: farisrl@leegov.com John Bizelli Lee County Department of Human Services 2440 Thompson Street Fort Myers , FL 33901 US Phone: 239 533-7961 Fax: 239 533-7960 E-mail: jbizelli@leegov.com Amy Hoyt Lee County Lee County 1500 Monroe Fort Myers , FL 33901 US Phone: (239) 479-8558 Fax: (239) 479-8520 E-mail: hoytal@leegov.com Courtney Sullivan Courtney Sullivan PO Box 1243 Portland , OR 97218 US Phone: (503) 998-6990 E-mail: courtney@sullivan-ward.net |
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