There is a clear and urgent need to plan and develop information infrastructure to provide fast and effective relief during emergencies. During Katrina, the team provided the capability to create an amalgamated list of "missing" and "safe" people, updated daily. The systems and processes for collecting, cleansing and collating names were developed as the disaster was unfolding. Leveraging this first-hand experience permits the team to do a careful analysis of the needs and requirements of such an emergency response application. A planned and principled approach to the design and develop will provide an even more effect response in future emergencies. The specifications include appropriate systems for relief workers, field data collection systems, and adaptable backup system. The design and best practices will help the nation be ready for the next such emergency.
