Cartographic Support in Crisis Management

Abstract

The importance of cartographic support through four phases of crisis management was analyzed: prevention, preparedness, action, and recovery. These phases often overlap, and each phase uses map types depending on the needs that arise in that phase. There are several categories of crisis situations, but the crisis management approach is based on the idea that generic procedures for prevention and action during a crisis situation are the same or very similar regardless of the type and cause of the crisis situation. In crisis management, cartographic bases have two main roles: visualization and communication. Based on their role, the definition of cartographic support in crisis situations is derived and the characteristics they must meet are listed. The current online cartographic support available for the Republic of Croatia has been analyzed, and a web map and web cartographic application of the Crisis Situation in Croatia in 2020 have been prepared as an example of the lack of examples for this area. It was created using ArcGIS tools and shows the number and intensity of natural crisis situations such as fires, earthquakes, and landslides in the counties that hit Croatia in 2020.