This document discusses the use of GIS systems to support emergency management and response. It outlines how GIS is used to provide decision makers with information on first responder resources and areas that need assistance. It also describes how GIS can be used before and during an incident to provide access to critical infrastructure data, special needs participants, and utility maps. The document notes that effective response depends on quickly analyzing information and sharing it with responders in the field. It discusses challenges in training decision makers on GIS and the need for dashboard designs that are readily understandable without training. Finally, it presents strategies for building configurable GIS software to support emergency management.

1. Data Management in Emergency Prevention and
Response
NEARC Spring Conference - 2015
Michael Funaro, Latitude Geographics

2. GIS is frequently used to assemble the "big picture" in a
disaster. Among other things, it is essential for a GIS system to
help decision makers understand where first responder
resources are located and where help is needed.
GEOG 588
Planning GIS for Emergency Management
PENN State
Dept of Geography
https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog588/l6_p5.html

4. Before an incident takes place..
48° 25’ 32 N
123° 22’ 11” W
Operations Center GIS support ensures all relevant data is
present and well categorized so that incident commanders
have immediate access to information such as:
 Critical infrastructure
 Special needs participants
 Structured pre-plan documents
 Utility infrastructure

5. Incident Management Systems

6. Incident Management Systems

8. GEOG 588
Effective response to a disaster depends on quickly
synthesizing actionable information and disseminating that
information to responders in the field.
https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog588/l6_p5.html

9. Today…
1. Trends for web technologies
2. Strategies for building web applications

10. GEOG 588
A persistent issue with the application of GIS to emergency management is that
there is often a significant knowledge gap between the GIS experts who know and
understand the tools and intricacies of geographic data and the decision makers
who have to act on information derived from GIS systems.
Training decision makers on the use of GIS is not practical in most circumstances
(and during a crisis situation, it's already too late)

14. GEOG 588
Some design criteria for GIS-enabled dashboards could include:
 The system must allow non-programmer analysts to quickly customize
the map/app
 Tools and graphics must be readily understandable by decision makers
who have no GIS training.
 Tools and graphics should focus on strategic objectives and the "big
picture.

15. Future COP designs must solve a different problem: how to
dynamically collect and situationally organize information in a
way that is relevant to the commander’s decision process
Hence, future COP designs will be “concept-driven” as much as
they are “data-driven”
Dennis K. Leedom, Ph.D.
Evidence Based Research, Inc

16. Reimagining Focus
Persona: a fictional representative
of the user you are building the
application for.
The protector and defender of
your interface.

17. Incident Commanders
 What are their
capabilities?
 What are their biases?
 What are their goals?
 What tasks do they
regularly perform?

18. For example…
Users should be allowed to add map
data directly within the Incident
Response Application interface!
I don’t have time to add map data
during an incident;
I only want the tools that I need.

19. How do incident commanders
and responders locate and
access data?
Don’t make me hunt
for information.
Offer what you have available
and make me aware of
important information.

20. Newer Web Technologies

21. GeoEvent Extension

22. Source: https://geomonday.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/geoevent-processor.jpg

23. Connect with Any Type of Streaming Data Feed
In Vehicle GPS
Mobile Devices
Social Media Providers
Other Web Services
Detect and focus on IMPORTANT event, locations, thresholds
Track dynamic assets (Vehicles, People); or stationary assets (Weather,
Environmental Monitors)
Send ALERTS, update map, append database, interact with other systems
GeoEvent Extension for Server

24. Input Connectors create a standard integration interface specification for:
• EM Systems (WebEOC, NC4, Disaster LAN)
• Dispatch (CAD) Systems (Intrado, …)
• EM Network feeds (MASAS-X, UCIDS)
• Vehicle GPS Systems (Vehicles)
• Radio GPS Systems (Responders)
• Sensors (wind, water level, etc.)
• GeoRSS feeds
• Social Media (Twitter, Instagram, DataSift)
GeoEvent Extension for Server

25. Real time data and interactions
• Stream Services
• WebSockets

26. I can see what you are doing
-Michael

27. Social Feeds
Multiplayer Games
Collaborative editing/coding
Clickstream Data
Financial Tickers
Sports Updates
Multimedia Chat
Online Education
Location-based Apps
Determining whether to use WebSockets for the Job at hand:
• Does your app involve multiple users communicating with
each other?
• Is your app a window into server-side data that’s constantly
changing?

30. In Person Map InteractionSee this
block here?
Yes
I need you to
approach
through the
park from the
west and look
for any injured. OK
Check in when
you arrive
here.
OK

31. Collaboration
Engaging in map-and-
marker conversations
when geographically
separated is difficult
See the large park in
quadrant E7?
The one south of
E7?
Roger. Enter from 9th
St. on the west side.
Near the
intersection of pine?
Roger. Sweep the
park for evacuation.
Roger.
Check in when you
reach the
intersection of 11th
and Spruce
Roger. Is that still
outside the hazmat
zone?
Affirmative.

32. Collaboration

33. Making collaboration technology
work in real-world scenarios
Web meeting patterns:
 Finicky
 Too long to set up
Instant messaging patterns:
 Need pre-established
connections
 Not good for visual information
My tactical radio
works great!

34. Collaboration Channels
 Same “feel” as tactical radio
 Can support many participants
 Map immediately shows same
extent and scale that others see in
the channel
 Members can observe while
listening to radio and participate
with the draw tool when needed

35. Demo
AOP – Active Operating Picture

36. Strategies

37. Advantages of Configurable
Software
Faster development/deployment
Less $$
(both immediate and long-term)

38. Esri Configurable Resources
 Esri - Emergency Management Response
 ArcGIS for Emergency Mangement
 App Gallery
Geocortex
A Configurable Platform

39. Do more than just map data
Real-time data
Data Feeds
Visualize, Report, Charts

40. Thank You
mfunaro@latitudegeo.com
Michael Funaro