I was just reading about how the Philippines are working to update their databases in support of faster and better responses in the case of an emergency. While I do volunteer for some of the local emergency services, I'm right at the bottom of the heap as just a radio operator. I don't have any insight into data management within these services. Yet, it has to be there right?

I'm sure you've heard about the recent floods in Texas and the horrible loss of life? My heart goes out to all those involved, especially those mourning a loved one.

Yet, within this tragedy, data played a pretty major role in rescue and relief operations. I have a bunch of examples of how data plays a role in disasters like this. For example, the Texas Emergency Management had to track over 2,200 personnel and 1,200 vehicles during the emergency. There's a lot of data management right there. NASA actually deployed special aircraft with high resolution cameras and other sensors that fed into a disaster mapping database to help out. Then there was the missing persons database to help people find their loved ones. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission had a number of different data sets to help provide support and assistance to flood victims.

Yeah, a lot of us move a few bits around within our databases in support of manufacturing, a bank, investments, or other stuff like that. However, there are a lot of data pros who are literally helping to save lives. Well done. And thank you.