Developing Software for Search and Rescue Planning and Operation

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: In the southwestern United States, rural communities face a daunting problem of coping with the death and stranding of illegal immigrants in isolated border areas. In 2002 in Arizona, at least 120 people died trying to cross border areas. The initial actions of public officials at the onset of an incident can make the difference between life and death. In these complicated incidents, with limited resources, software can aid personnel in a search and rescue incident, where time is critical. Upon the initiation of a search and rescue incident, teams may have as little as 12 hours to resuce a person. With the advent of hand held personal digital assistants (PDA's), laptop computers, hand held radios, and global positioning system (GPS) devices, rural public safety officials can apply search theory and information technology to streamline and manage a complicated situation. The federal government will be the largest customer for emergency management software. We also envision state and municipal governments as customers. Federal spending for 2003 will be $38 billion related to homeland security. We envision customizing the software for military usage. All branches of the armed forces could benefit from the use of search and rescue information technology (except the Navy, which is the most sophisticated user of search and rescue technology). Municipal governments and regional planners for public safety currently have a strong need for emergency management software.