ABSTRACT
Aerial photography and satellite imagery provide emergency responders and decision makers with critical data that can be used to determine the scope of a disaster and direct response and recovery activities. When combined with locational data in geospatial databases, the value of the imagery increases greatly, especially when used to determine how many people and facilities are found in the disaster impact area. Often, remotely sensed data are not, or cannot be collected and disseminated in a timely manner, and consequently do not provide as much value to either responders or decision makers as they could. This paper examines the utility of and need for remotely sensed data in emergency management, and some of the constraints on its use. The terrorist events on September 11, 2001 are examined as they relate to the use of remote sensing as an integral part of emergency management.
