Public works professionals are called to duty in emergency management situations ranging from severe weather conditions to natural disasters and health crises. The best public works emergency response software informs plans and preparation, allows for real-time decision-making, optimizes resource allocation, includes damage assessment software, and provides a platform to keep the public informed. GIS is the foundational tool that allows public works staff members to operate on the front lines alongside their peers in public safety, with tools for data collection, coordination, and situational awareness.