The Role of Parish Councils in Georeferencing for Emergency Planning: Approach and Methods

Rural fires are becoming increasingly impactful, not only due to their rapid and intense spread but also because of the growing number of people affected. In Portugal, numerous remote housing clusters are difficult to access and are primarily occupied by seniors or individuals with disabilities. These areas are situated in high-risk wildfire zones. Therefore, it is crucial to document the locations of the individuals who are most at risk to ensure that relief efforts can be focused on and directed towards them in case of emergency. The aim of this paper is to propose an inventory plan for communities at risk of wildfire, requiring the involvement of parish councils. The plan involves the use of simple and cost-free georeferencing tools (such as Mymaps of Google) to enable these organizations to assist in municipal emergency planning and facilitate the exchange of real-time information. The outcomes of this paper will be demonstrated in three parishes in mainland Portugal, where the key benefits and limitations were identified. The goal is to enhance the project for potential replication in other areas.