Thus, problems associated with assembling resources into a central repository are avoided, and the various organizations that developed the resources can each maintain their identity and roles in the larger system. Altogether, there has been, and continues to be, a very substantial investment of resources in developing and maintaining the databases used for disaster management. Many of the efforts are of a continuing nature, as data are updated and phenomena are continuously monitored.
These databases were derived from a variety of endeavors, including instrumental monitoring, field surveys, data compilations, and laboratory studies. The existing federal data-gathering and information programs (see ) reflect an enormous investment of funds, mostly public, and the dedicated and sustained efforts of many investigators. The cost of establishing the information system would be trivial compared with the cost already spent in developing the resources.
A network could be established initially by coordinating existing information resources and developing standards and protocols to ensure their reliability and usability and effectively linking with the user. The most costly element of building the basic databases is well under way, and the community of users already exists.
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