Search and Rescue (SAR) operations are inherently geographic in nature and can benefit from GIS tools designed to support search efforts. The identification of the Last Known Position (LKP) is an essential first step in the process. Based on this LKP, additional tools can support SAR operations through the identification of potential search areas and the definition of search sectors for the assignment of search teams. The visualization of these datasets through a tool such as Google Earth is extremely helpful in order to understand how terrain can affect the likely movement patterns of lost individuals. For example, people are much more likely to follow well-defined trails and move toward areas of lower elevation as opposed to areas of higher elevation.
The application built in this chapter will support SAR operations through the inclusion of several custom tools in an ArcGIS Python Toolbox as well...