ISSUES ON THE CONTRIBUTION OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM IN THE HANDLING OF EMERGENCIES CAUSED BY NATURAL DISASTERS.

The relationship between weather and emergency situation management is fundamental and complex. Weather causes many disasters that require an emergency response. Indeed, meteorological processes determine the degree of destruction of life and property. Weather forces are both a direct threat, such as storms and floods, and indirect risks (associated), such as ash and harmful smoke from a volcano. The assessment parameters include - duration of the event, duration of consequences and extent of the impact, important in determining the type of emergency response and resource allocation. Emergency situation management using Geographic Informational Systems seems to be the most current and appropriate management instrument. A complex geospatial solution, offered by GIS, enables uniform management of risk areas and sources, forces and material means of intervention. Creating a unique geospatial database at county level enables real-time analysis of the existing situation and the adoption with maximum efficiency and competence of steps required that competent authorities must take, particularly Inspectorates for Emergency Situations, in case of an incident. Although initiated over 10 years ago in Romania, such a step has not emerged and gained unified acceptance and is not widely used, despite the opportunities offered. The authors propose a model of how to involve the information system for management of emergencies, i.e. Emergency Management Information System (EMIS), an information system built on GIS databases, adapted to the conditions, possibilities and realities of current Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]