Hazwatch, a prototype system, is being trialled in Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria and NSW for counter-terrorism, bushfire fighting and search and rescue incidents.
Special Minister of State, Gary Nairn, said the Hazwatch project was "an exciting development and one that will bring great benefits to the community".
"In my role as Special Minister of State, with responsibility for e-Government, I see an ever-increasing role for spatial data in the delivery of government services," Mr Nairn said.
Hazwatch is the first CRCSI research and development project to enter the commercial stage.
It will bring together information in real time, giving managers of crises information to make timely decisions under pressure.
CRCSI chief executive Peter Woodgate said the recent spate of natural disasters highlighted a need to improve communication and coordination between parties involved in managing responses to crises.
"Cyclone Katrina in the US, the tsunami in south-east Asia, and major bushfires in Australia have all demonstrated how difficult it is for emergency agencies to coordinate their people and resources," Mr Woodgate said.
"They are often forced to work with information that is inaccurate and out of date."
Quelle/Source: The Australian, 13.05.2006
