Mapping out Disasters and Emergencies with location intelligence
Bringing it all together
Spatial data is often spread throughout an organization. Departments as divergent as
sales, manufacturing, human resources and IT may all have data that is key to developing a
cohesive plan. The first step to creating a continuity plan is to centralize information from
different sources, so an entire organization benefits from the most updated information.
Information is only useful to those who can access it, which is why it’s important to share
information widely. That means not just sharing it within a division, but throughout an agency
or jurisdiction, and through multiple channels and various output devices.
Often it’s the sharing of accessible data that creates a continuity tool, even when that was
not the original intent. Such is the case with New York Site Finder,
(
http://www.empire.state.ny.us/sitesbldgs.html) a site that was originally built to help match
corporations and real estate agents with available real estate.
The New York State Office of Economic Development built the site with the aim of
helping companies and real-estate agents find suitable properties. But the events of September
turned it into a continuity tool.
The site aggregates data from real estate firms around the state as well as local agencies.
Data such as property location, type, zoning, square footage, utility access and even photographs
are aggregated into a searchable database. The data is then integrated with location-based
software, which creates detailed maps showing such factors as transportation, local services and
infrastructure. So if, for example, a company wants to locate a new warehouse in the Hudson
Valley and wants that warehouse near rail lines, a manager needs to simply enter in the
requirements and see available properties that match those needs. The user can then review the
property specs, see pictures and even get contact information to set up an appointment. The
manager can also see a detailed map, down to the street level, to get a clear understanding of site
location.
After the collapse of the World Trade Centers, many companies were looking for
permanent or temporary space and New York Site Finder became a primary resource. Without a
way to quickly find available space in the region, New York faced losing many tenants to New
Jersey, and losing the tax revenue along with them. The site became a primary tool in the search
for space, enabling companies to be back up and running quickly.
All organizations are now bracing for the worst and trying to determine how they will go
on if something happens. This mindset is now a necessary aspect of business life. But in order to
make these plans, organizations, government agencies and companies must first be able to easily
access their information and find ways to understand it. Only then can they prepare effectively
for business and government continuity.
Mapping out homeland security with location intelligence
In the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, tragedies, government is recognizing the critical
need to share and disseminate information—particularly spatial information—across agencies,
jurisdictions, rescue and recovery responders and citizens rapidly, efficiently and economically.
Five key components of a homeland security initiative are: planning, prevention,
detection, response and recovery. Each is dependent upon spatial attributes. Location intelligence
technology can be quickly and easily added to any, or all, of these components. Available today,
location intelligence allows you to leverage existing infrastructure and investments, extending
the value of GIS tools currently in use.
With an awakened awareness of significant threats to our nation and communities,
government and industry are acting to ensure operational continuity. Homeland security and
business continuity success requires several strategic activities.
Centralizing spatial database management.
By managing a variety of spatial and nonspatial data in a common and open format, this
enables up-to-date and current data to be accessed; data integrity; security; and, the ability to
natively analyze your spatial data.
Visualizing spatial data.
Inherent to data is location—or geographic—information. By attributing data spatially by
geocoding (pinpointing to an exact latitude/longitude), you can visualize that data on a map.
Visualizing spatial data immediately improves information accessibility and value for first
responders, global surveillance of public health threats, early warnings of threats, emergency
response planning and many more homeland security activities. For example, to see where all the
power plants are in the United States, analysts can pinpoint each target and assign a risk value by
thematically shading, thereby assessing exposure.
Applying location intelligence.
Driven by content, location intelligence is sophisticated, tightly integrated technology
that helps you find answers to your “where” and “what if” questions. It includes enabling the
integration of all information and making it available
for a clear picture of what your content is saying. For example, all gas pipes within a 500-yard
radius can be identified.
Information sharing.
Coordinated communication must be shared and accessed across multiple information
systems and multiple devices, such as networks, the Internet, intranets and mobile devices.
Critical to such communication and information sharing is rapidity and flexibility—tools and
solutions that adapt to users’ needs and requirements.
Rapid deployment
New York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department’s next-generation, agency-wide, intranet-based
crime analysis system allows all city precincts, transit districts and housing service areas to
analyze crime patterns by location type and frequency for better crime prevention. This
powerful,Java-based Internet mapping server is an enterprisewide crime fighting system that
allows analysts, planners and managers in the nation’s largest police department—comprised of
76 patrol precincts and 40,000 officers—to perform faster, more comprehensive crime pattern
analysis and reporting.
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) intranet application integrates
and location-enables existing agency enterprise data so comprehensive location-based queries of
business data, geographic data and maps can be shared throughout headquarters and the field.
MapInfo, FEMA’s official mapping standard, is deployed in disaster field offices during
emergencies. During 2001, FEMA’s Mapping and Analysis Center combined and analyzed data
from federal, state and local agencies during presidentially declared disasters
to create more than 1,000 mapping workspaces.
Conclusion
Location-based technology helps governments and organizations gain insights into their
business and operations and understand critical relationships between assets, resources and
citizens. Location-based technology assists the world in protecting its people and assets;
preventing disasters and tragedies; detecting and managing threats; and, responding to the threat
of terrorism.
