Using a Base Registry Key in Disaster Information Management: A Dutch Case Study on Linked Data

This paper describes the process of using the Dutch Base Registration Identification number (BAG) as a primary key to link various sorts of information about a particular built-up object. This greatly increases the quality and effectiveness of the common operational picture. Consequently, the paper investigates the usefulness and affordability of Linked Data (a method of publishing structured data so that it can be interlinked). Several practical applications are considered and evaluated. The primary conclusion is that the BAG Base address registration greatly enhances the possibilities for safety workers to gain a common insight about particular built-up objects. This pertains to the "cold'' risk-analyses and preparatory work phases, as well as in the "warm'' incident and disaster management phases. It is in the combination of these two phases where the profit is maximized: when attempting to assess the consequences of the disaster management processes during and after the incident, relevant data about the particular object is now much easier than before, and with much better quality. This is already turning out to be very profitable for the fire brigade workers, the police officers, the ambulance drivers, as well as the municipal officers.