This document summarizes Orange County's use of GIS technology to improve emergency management. It describes how over many meetings and through strong leadership, a countywide partnership was formed to develop a GIS system called INFOMAP Secure. This system integrates data from across county departments and provides real-time situational awareness during emergencies by visualizing information like 911 calls, shelter status, and road closures. The system has become an essential decision support tool. However, its organizers acknowledge the need to continuously evolve the system to meet new technological and organizational challenges. Constant improvements will help emergency managers better prepare for and respond to future disasters.

1. 2007 Governor’s Hurricane Conference
May 17, 2007
How Real-Time Mapping
Technology Clarifies the Situation
for Orange County
A Window into an Emergency

2. Presentation Outline
• The Issue
• The Process
• The System
• Moving Forward

3. Presentation Outline
• The Issue
• The Process
• The System
• Moving Forward

4. The Issue
A Prelude to Disaster
• No hurricanes for 30 years
• It Won’t Happen Here
• Feeling of Complacency

5. The Issue
During the Crisis
• We Need More Information!!!
• Outdated, Incomplete Data
• Disconnected Systems
• Not my Responsibility

6. The Issue
Learning from the Experience
• How can we Improve?
• Where are the Gaps?
• Who’s in Charge?
• What do we Need?

7. Presentation Outline
• The Issue
• The Process
• The System
• Moving Forward

8. The Process
Needed to Grow a Partnership
• Meetings, Meetings, Meetings!
• Consensus Building
• Leadership
• Vision for Technology

9. The Process
Required Cooperation from all Players!

10. The Process
Where does GIS Fit In?
• Information Gathering
• Visualization Technology
• Matching Resources and
Needs
• True Decision Support

11. The Process
Strong GIS Organization Needed
• GIS Steering Committee
– County GIS Policy
• GIS Coordinator
– Carrying the Vision Forward
• GIS Technical Committee
– Technical Operations
GIS Steering
Committee
GIS Technical
Committee
GIS Coordinator
Growth Management
GIS Team
Public Works
GIS Team
Utilities
GIS Team
Fire Rescue
GIS Team
CES
GIS Team

12. The Process
GIS Responsible for ESF5
• Established a Common Information
Framework
• Created a Visual Perspective
• GIS Feeds Incident Action
Planning
• Provides Meaningful Intelligence
for Policy Makers

13. Presentation Outline
• The Issue
• The Process
• The System
• Moving Forward

14. The System
INFOMAP Secure
A Window into the Emergency
• Linked to Numerous County Databases
– Land Development, Transportation, Utilities,
Real Estate
• Real Time Link to 311 Call Center
– Call Locations Displayed by Type
• Aerial Imagery and Pictometry

15. The System
INFOMAP Secure
A Window into the Emergency
• Shelter Locations and Status
• Traffic Signal Outages
• Points of Distribution
• Road Closures
• Flooding Situation

16. The System
INFOMAP Secure
A Window into the Emergency
• Proxy for the Situation
– Pumping Stations indicate Power Outages
• Pattern Indicators
– 3-1-1 Call Density Illustrates Growing Needs
• Comparison of Needs to Resources
– PSN’s versus Rescue Units
– Water and Ice versus Power

17. The System

18. The System

19. The System

20. The System

21. The System

22. The System
3-1-1 Call Center
Orange County EOC

23. Presentation Outline
• The Issue
• The Process
• The System
• Moving Forward

24. Moving Forward
The Future of GIS and Emergency Management
• Adding New Capabilities as Needs are
Identified
• Currently in Development
– Doppler Weather Overlay
– Building Faces
• Future Ideas
– 911 Calls
– Themed Information
– Improved Reporting

25. Moving Forward
The Future of GIS and Emergency Management
• More Visual Information e.g. onsite video
• Capture Transaction History
– Learn from Experience
• Combine GIS with Analytical Technologies
– Explore What-If Scenarios
• Improved Interface
– Faster, more focused information

26. Summary
Lessons Learned
• GIS Has Become an Essential and Valuable
Aspect of Orange County Emergency
Management
• Making This Work Required a Countywide
Partnership and Strong Leadership
• We Have to Constantly Evolve to Meet
Technology and Organizational Challenges

27. Orange County Government
Governor’s Hurricane Conference
May 17, 2007
Thanks for Listening!
Louis Schoolkate Scott Skraban
GIS Coordinator GIS Supervisor
Ph: 407-836-5304 Ph: 407-836-5363
Louis.Schoolkate@ocfl.net Scott.Skraban@ocfl.net