The lack of standardised symbology on emergency maps hinders information sharing during crucial emergency situations by emergency managers and people responding to disasters. The development of a standard symbology for emergency and hazard maps will strengthen coordination and communication between planners and will enhance the ability of emergency managers to better understand information at a glance during crucial decision making moments. This research analysed existing emergency map symbology found in various forms, including software packages, and proposes a theoretical framework for the design of emergency mapping symbology. There has been a burgeoning use of electronic emergency management tools at all levels of government, enough to indicate that emergency management is on the cusp of an explosion of electronic map making. This is an appropriate time for guidelines and standards for hazard and emergency maps to be created.