This blog will discuss how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be a valuable tool in Public Safety. The Mapping Tech in Public Safety Blog will also be a companion to the podcast of the same name. The purpose of this blog is to introduce non-technical information about GIS and the benefits for Public Safety Agencies. Information from the podcast can…..
When large scale incidents occur, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an excellent tool to assist in managing, tracking, and analyzing the incident. Many agencies and organizations have been producing GIS applications for this incident. One of the first GIS applications was from John Hopkins University mapping the spread of the virus by country using the ESRI Ops Dashboard. The ESRI…..
Mapping Tech in Public Safety is publishing a series of Podcast and YouTube videos about how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be used in Public Safety. The demos can include many types of datasets. Chris and Steve decided to create a Damage Assessment layer and continue to use this layer as the series continues. While our podcast is intended to…..
Semper Gumby Always be Flexible! Mapping Tech in Public Safety interviewed Chief John Morrison with the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department and Battalion Chief Ry Kendrick with the Fairfax County Fire Department. Both are members of the Virginia Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1 (see bios below). We discussed practical uses of mapping in public safety and talked about a…..
As Public Safety personnel, a major portion of our job is to be prepared. Checking out our apparatus, equipment, training for different types of events. We are prepared when an incident occurs. In the GIS Public Safety field, preparedness is just as important. Assuring that the proper data is available, proper hardware and software, essential map templates and symbology are…..
One of the common problems cartography and map making is how to map a round world on a flat piece of paper (yes he world is round). This has been a problem since the beginning of map making. This Vox video does an excellent job explaining it.
What happens behind the scenes with GIS when you call 911? What is NG911? Currently it is an analog system based on Master Street Addressing Guide (MSAG) and the Automatic Location Information (ALI) database. The ALI database is maintained by telecommunication companies for the local government agencies, which is provided by telephone companies when a landline is installed. The ALI…..
When you put the peanut butter and jelly together, you can do powerful things to make it easy for the mind to catch that vision This week we interview David Blankinship as Co-Founder of Intterra. David started his career with Colorado Springs Utilities, then transferred to the Colorado Springs Fire Department as a Senior GIS Analyst for 10+ years. While serving…..
Why Should Public Safety Use GIS Firefighters, Law Enforcement, and EMS responders and other Public Safety Professionals are jobs that rely on an intimate knowledge of geography. We understand principles related to geography more than most GIS professionals. You might say that being a geographer is a natural skill that we have. We understand which unit is closer to a…..
