Issue link: https://resources.esri.ca/i/1294438
When Esri was founded in 1969, we realized even then that geographic information system (GIS) technology could make a difference in society. Working with others who shared this passion, we were encouraged by the vast possibilities of GIS. Today our confidence in GIS is built on the belief that geography matters - it connects our many cultures and societies and influences our way of life. GIS leverage geographic insight to ensure better communication and collaboration. Explore our website to discover how our customers have obtained the geographic advantage by using Esri software to address social, economic, business, and environmental concerns at local, regional, national, and global scales. We hope you will be inspired to join the Esri community in using GIS to create a better world. GovLoop's mission is to inspire public sector professionals by serving as the knowledge network for government. GovLoop connects more than 300,000 members, fostering cross-government collaboration, solving common problems and advancing government careers. GovLoop is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with a team of dedicated professionals who share a commitment to the public sector. For more information about this report, please reach out to info@govloop.com. www.govloop.com | @GovLoop Conclusion Public health emergency planning and response is an evolving field. The capabilities and processes developed in response to one crisis can lay the foundation for the response to future events. The key is to incorporate new tools and practices into existing workflows before the next crisis strikes. Because of both its scale and complexity, the COVID-19 pandemic has driven a broad range of innovations in health preparedness that public health organizations and communities will draw on for years to come. GIS serves as the common denominator for any crisis because location data is essential to every phase of planning and response. It helps communities scope out the extent of a crisis and predict the future course to allocating resources and monitoring processes and outcomes. GIS also is the common language that enables public health organizations to coordinate efforts with other agencies and external stakeholders. The public health preparedness community can make major inroads by embracing GIS data, models, communication and engagement hubs, and location-centric applications. Esri is here to build on the past and propel the industry into a better future. go.esri.com/health-preparedness Strengthening Public Health Preparedness with GIS 15