Lightning notes from the ESRI Homeland security conference, Denver CO
Written by Glenn Letham
Wednesday, 07 November 2007
Given that I wasn't feeling too great yesterday morning, I opted for a few more minutes of sleep and as a result missed most of Jack Dangermond's intro session at the event. What I did see from Jack was that he is still indeed praising the merits of the GIS server and complete server-based GIS (makes sense). He noted that the server supports GI management, supports all kinds of data types, and is useful in replicating data for multiple users and uses. Server is also supporting the need for news classes of mobile technologies - including support for mobile mapping, field edits, disconnected query, and GPS functionality.
Google Earth, always getting a mention, was praised for coming onto the scene with a new class of viewer that is fast, intuitive and web centric. Dangermond finished up with a colleague showing an impressive demo of ArcGIS Explorer being used as a viewing client for a spill scenario. We saw the results of a plume and the dispersion of the contaminants, the data was complemented with the use of real-time traffic cameras, highway signs, and a number of other datasets. All the services were accessed via the web, all maintained independently in different locations and were accessed via ArcGIS Explorer.. quite impressive really!
Some comments made by Dangermond: - GIS servers must be federated (using web services and SOA) - common data models are important - GIS is connecting citizens with government - "after 40 years of GIS I sense we're just beginning"
We then heard from popular Denver mayor, John Hickenlooper. He noted the significance of GIS to the city, particularly with the large number of national events that are taking place in the city... these include the recent World Series which proved to be a real test to the city's emergency planners due to the relatively short notice that the event would be taking place; a coming ski industry trade show; and next year's democratic national convention. Hickenlooper proudly noted how he felt the Denver area was center of the GIS industry as it is home to some 250 private companies with 11,000 employees directly involved in GIS and geospatial technologies. Apparently the Denver area is also home to more ESRI business partners per capita. Obviously a fan of GIS (Hickenlooper was at one time a geologist), he proudly noted to the attendees that he feels that no single innovation in government will have a larger impact than the technological innovation of GIS. He cited the reasons as GIS enabling rapid data access, providing access to diverse datasets, and the ability to take complex data and transform them into meaningful information. He cited GIS as playing an important role in public safety, as an example, the Denver police force has about one third of it's officers as being recent hires (due to many retiring officers), and notes that GIS will play an important role in their training and active duty roles. GI allows collaboration, said Hickenlooper, as an example of the merits of GIS he discussed a recent rash of robberies. The crimes were tracked in time and space to define a pattern of behavior. The analysis lead to an arrest of the culprit within 2 blocks of the predicted location... thanks to spatial analysis.
Next it was Denver's Director of Emergency Management, Justin DeMello taking the stage. GIS will be playing an important role in DeMello's camp as they prepare for the coming Democratic National Convention - he noted how the regional response to the recent hosting of the World Series and the 2006 winter storms have helped prepare for the DNC. Coordination of efforts and data sharing will be crucial as there are some 36 functional groups involved in the planning of the DNC, this in addition to the Feds. DeMello noted how Katrina has served to effect change in emergency management and has made it evident that as emergency planners and responders they need to be able to figure things out before the phone rings... he also noted how important it is to create operational standards, turning a large event into smaller, manageable pieces. It was clearly evident from his words that in his role as a department head in emergency management there's one word that he will not tolerate - NO! With his role in preparing for large, national events like the DNC, DeMello cited how important it is to take into account the private sector - after all, they own some 85% of all the resources yet they are typically left out of the planning process. To prepare a proper emergency response plan for any scenario cataloging of all of the private resources is necessary (sounds like an opportunity to me) - as an example, what do you do at 2 AM when you need a road grader, NOW!
If there's one significant topic (and buzzword) that I took away from the day's sessions it's that of Situational Awareness (SA) and the importance of having it. SA is the act of being able to accurately develop a mental model of reality. SA is necessary for decision making and for determining the needs of people. SA is built on the concept of layering - enter GIS. In a panel session on SA DeMello noted how Katrina was the pinnacle of what not to do as there was no SA. He went on to share the following, "GIS provides us with a common operating picture and situational awareness. To guarantee success we need to be working together as a team... when you have situational awareness you can make the right decisions."
Notable quotes:
SA is the key to success or failure
the Feds need to respond in days, the State within hours, local responders within minutes.
data typically has been locked up and not shared
data is becoming more easily discoverable and usable
GIS has become a commodity (like Outlook, Word, Power Point)
GeoRSS, XML, and tools like Google Earth are making data available to the public
Google Earth has raised the expectations of the end user
we're only one disaster away from defining the perfect GIS
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International LIDAR Mapping Forum - The ILMF is the premier event for the LIDAR industry attracting professionals from all over the world with the next event scheduled for January 26 – 28, 2009 in New Orleans, USA.
Join 8,000 geographers, GIS specialists, and environmental scientists for the latest in research, policy, and applications in geography, sustainability, and GIScience during the AAG Annual Meeting in Las Vegas to be held March 22-27, 2009.
Given that I wasn't feeling too great yesterday morning, I opted for a few more minutes of sleep and as a result missed most of Jack Dangermond's intro session at the event. What I did see from Jack was that he is still indeed praising the merits of the GIS server and complete server-based GIS (makes sense). He noted that the server supports GI management, supports all kinds of data types, and is useful in replicating data for multiple users and uses. Server is also supporting the need for news classes of mobile technologies - including support for mobile mapping, field edits, disconnected query, and GPS functionality.
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