Showing posts with label Emergency Response. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Emergency Response. Show all posts

Google's Crisis Map - Falling Short of the Mark

    For those with interest in Google's offering for the masses for Hurricane Irene, go here

    Comment: In many ways this is a very nice, simple way to make a dynamic emergency situation, visually understandable.  However, as a geospatial tool being promoted by a "crisis response organization", it is sorely lacking in one very important feature, U.S. National Grid (USNG) capability - something that has been shown can be easily implemented within Google's mapping applications by much smaller organizations like the National Search and Rescue Committee and Florida's Division of Emergency Management.  Unfortunately, this oversight by the 10 million pound gorilla in the common man's world of maps means Google is missing out on an excellent opportunity to help build national awareness about this use of geospatial technology for emergency preparedness and response (unlike ESRI), as well as awareness about U.S. geospatial standards for crisis response (see page 119 of this document).  Google has done so many great things when it comes to bringing geospatial awareness to the world - for all our sakes, let's hope this is one area where they soon do the same.


Post Title

Google's Crisis Map - Falling Short of the Mark


Post URL

https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/08/google-crisis-map-falling-short-of-mark.html


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Hurricane Irene Geospatial Information Page Is Available

    EPC SPECIAL NOTICE

    In support of Minnesota corporations that may need geospatial information for their operations along the U.S. East Coast during, and after Hurricane Irene, a special information page devoted to the event is now available.

    Look for it by clicking on the "Available GIS for Disasters" link in the right side bar.  Then click on "Hurricane Irene" in the left side bar of the site's Home page.  Alternately, click here to proceed directly.

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Hurricane Irene Geospatial Information Page Is Available


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/08/hurricane-irene-geospatial-information.html


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Save The World Using a GIS - In Your Browser!!!!

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Save The World Using a GIS - In Your Browser!!!!


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/08/save-world-using-gis-in-your-browser.html


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Geospatial Tech's Impact on Government's Emergency Response Efforts

    Click on the link below to proceed to the article as published in Government Computer News:

    Virtual USA: How Geospatial Tech Is Changing Government
    By Patrick Marshall
    Aug 10, 2011

    Here's the pitch: "A geospatial framework emerges for emergency response coordination among federal, state and local governments."

    Comment: This article is actually the lead piece in an interlocking series on the same subject that can be found by clicking links in the "Related coverage" window, middle of the first page.  Correspondingly, even more articles can be found by using the "Related coverage" links in those follow on pieces.   As you are reading these articles that focus primarily on the power of technology, remember there are three pieces that must be in place to make a Common Operating Picture (Virtual USA) approach work: technology, people and policies.  Without those last two, the effort will fall far short of what is technologically possibleGo here to read more on that point (shameless plug).

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Geospatial Tech's Impact on Government's Emergency Response Efforts


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/08/geospatial-tech-impact-on-government.html


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The 9-1-1 Carnage Continues...

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The 9-1-1 Carnage Continues...


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/08/9-1-1-carnage-continues.html


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About: EMR-ISAC


    Here's information about a free DHS program of information that may be of help to you:

    The Emergency Management and ResponseInformation Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) is located at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. It provides no-cost threat and vulnerability information as well as critical infrastructure protection and resilience lessons learned and best practices to the leaders and operators of the nation’s Emergency Services Sector (ESS).

    The EMR-ISAC primarily aims to assist firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics, law enforcers, emergency managers, 9-1-1 operators, and related disciplines in making informed decisions regarding survivability and continuity of operations in an all-hazards environment. The intended outcome of the EMR-ISAC efforts is to improve the capabilities of emergency departments and agencies to perform their mission-essential tasks before, during, and after an all-hazards event.

    In addition to “For Official Use Only” documents for vetted/validated personnel, the EMR-ISAC also disseminates weekly non-sensitive INFOGRAMs for a wider ESS audience. The free services of the EMR-ISAC specifically support Department of Homeland Security initiatives to share information among federal, state, local, tribal, territorial public and private departments, agencies, and organizations. Recently, the EMR-ISAC established a community of interest (COI) on the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) to facilitate the sharing of FOUO information with the vetted, incumbent ESS leadership. The COI includes announcements, alerts, advisories, updated products, news feeds, and other useful links.

    For more information see their website at: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/emr-isac, or contact them at: emr-isac@dhs.gov; 301-447-1325.


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About: EMR-ISAC


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/08/about-emr-isac.html


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USAID to Stand Up New Geospatial Intelligence Center

    From:
    Nextgov.com

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USAID to Stand Up New Geospatial Intelligence Center


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/08/usaid-to-stand-up-new-geospatial.html


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Oncology Clinic Gains Efficiency, Safety With RFID

    From RFID Jornal Online
    July 27, 2011
    By Claire Swedberg

    The UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center is using ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) passive RFID tags to track the movements of patients and staff members into and out of waiting and examination rooms, as well as through therapy, to ensure that no one waits excessively, and proper equipment is used.  Read more.

    Comment:  This is use of geospatial technologies on a micro-scale.  Indeed, several companies like GE are now promoting similar approaches for tracking the location of all items in a hospital.   However, when blended with triage tagging, the real importance of this approach emerges - it would be a highly effective way to manage a mass casualty event.  Unfortunately, acceptance of this approach has been limited, with only a handful of disconnected deployments of the technology.  Go here for a background piece about efforts in Anaheim, CA, and here for a research piece published in Japan.

Post Title

Oncology Clinic Gains Efficiency, Safety With RFID


Post URL

https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/08/oncology-clinic-gains-efficiency-safety.html


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Minneapolis PrepareFair 2011, September 28th


    The 2nd annual Minneapolis PrepareFair 2011 is a partnership of the public and private sectors designed to educate the community in the best practices of emergency management.  It will be held on Wednesday, September 28th at the IDS Center’s Crystal Court and Nicollet Mall.  The event will include:

    ·         An array of exhibitors will be in the IDS Crystal Court from 10am to 2pm
    ·         Emergency vehicles will be on display on Nicollet Mall between from 10am to 2pm
    ·         Within the IDS Center there will be presentations by local experts in the field  emergency management and response

    Learn more.

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Minneapolis PrepareFair 2011, September 28th


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/08/minneapolis-preparefair-2011-september.html


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Registration Now Open for the 21st Annual MN GIS/LIS Fall Conference & Workshops

    The MN GIS/LIS Fall Conference and Workshops registration opened on Wednesday, August 3rd.  Early registration ends on September 16th.

    This year's event in St. Cloud will once again include the EPC promotional booth, and a variety of educational presentations on the use of geospatial technlogies for emergency response.  They include:
    • Using GIS in Search and Rescue in a Natural Environment – Simon Morgan, Three Rivers Park District
    • Deploying Next Generation 9-1-1: GIS needs from a State Perspective – Dan Falbo, ESRI; Jackie Mines, ECN-DPS
    • MNDOT and Counties Team up to Crowd-source Emergency Events – Sonia Dickerson, MN DOT
    • Carver County Flood Mapping: Quick and Efficient Map Updates for Road Closures – Chad Riley, Carver County
    • Next Generation GIS and 2011 Floods: A review and next steps – Dan Falbo, ESRI; John Blood, HSEM; Kay Anderson, Cass County; Paul Weinberger, MNDOT; Jim Bunning, Scott County; Pete Henschel, Carver County
    It is particularily heartening to see two members of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety involved in these presentations for the first time: Jackie Mines and John Blood.  Please be sure to give them a warm welcome to the conference and attend their events if you can!  Full agenda and registration information can be found here.

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Registration Now Open for the 21st Annual MN GIS/LIS Fall Conference & Workshops


Post URL

https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/08/registration-now-open-for-21st-annual.html


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Alabama Devotes Entire State GIS Conference to Emergency Response

    In the wake of a series of devastating tornado events earlier this year, Alabama recently announced its 2-day state GIS conference would be devoted entirely to natural and man-made disaster response.  The Rocket City Geospatial and Alabama GIS Conference will be held in Huntsville, AL, on November 15, 16.  Event keynote will be delivered by Spencer Collier, Alabama's Director of Homeland Security. 

    Registration information, call for presentations, agenda and more can be found here.

    Comment: Alabama has been exceptionally progressive in seeing geospatial technologies as intergral to emergency preparedness and response.  Their development of Virtual Alabama following Katrina, has served as a guidepost for similar efforts by the federal government (Virtual USA) and several states, to include Minnesota.

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Alabama Devotes Entire State GIS Conference to Emergency Response


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/08/alabama-devotes-entire-state-gis.html


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De Lorme Announces Fall Release of InReach

    De Lorme recently announced the up coming fall release of InReach.  As described by the company, InReach will be the, "first-ever personal communicator with 2-way messaging, iridium global satellite coverage, and an Android interface".  The product can be paired with either Delorme's PN-60 GPS (a USNG enabled device) or an Android smart phone, and has a buttton to request a SAR response.  Conversely, SAR teams can use the satellite connectivity to communicate between search parties in areas without other frequency coverage.  Learn more.

    Comment: This product will be competing with the SPOT satellite messenging system of France.

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De Lorme Announces Fall Release of InReach


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/07/de-lorme-announces-fall-release-of.html


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UN News Centre: UN Economic and Social Council Sets Up Committee on Global Geospatial Information

    UN News Centre
    July 27, 2011
    Direct story link

    "The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) today voted to establish a committee of experts on global geospatial information management to coordinate international dialogue on spatial data infrastructures and enhance cooperation in that field.

    According to the latest report of the Secretary-General on global geospatial information management, the rapid technological advances in geospatial information and related technologies have made this kind of information readily available.

    Geospatial information has application in many fields including humanitarian, peace and security, environmental and development challenges facing the world, such as climate change, natural disasters, pandemics, famines, population displacement and food and economic crises, according to the report.

    Building the infrastructure for the gathering, validation, compilation and dissemination of geospatial information is therefore as important for countries as the building of roads and telecommunications networks.

    However, there is currently no global multilateral or intergovernmental mechanism that can play the important leadership role of setting the agenda for the development of global geospatial information and promote its use to address key global challenges.
    The Secretary-General proposed that the UN take the lead role and serve as the coordinating entity of the global geospatial information community, hence the decision to create the committee.

    The committee is mandated, among other tasks, with providing a platform for the development of effective strategies on how to build and strengthen national capacity on geospatial information, especially in developing countries.

    It will also compile and disseminate best practices and experiences of national, regional and international bodies on geospatial information related to legal instruments, management models and technical standards, thus contributing to the establishment of spatial data infrastructures.
    The committee will comprise experts from all Member States, as well as from and international organizations, who will serve as observers."

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UN News Centre: UN Economic and Social Council Sets Up Committee on Global Geospatial Information


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/07/un-news-centre-un-economic-and-social.html


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Street View Cars Grabbed Locations of Phones and PCs

    CNET News
    July 25, 2011 12:14 AM PDT
    by Declan McCullagh

    According to CNET News, Google's Street View cars collected the locations of millions of laptops, cell phones, printers, and other wireless devices around the world.  Read more.

    Comment: Google was already in hot water after it was discovered earlier this year that its Street View mapping effort had collected the location of unencrypted wi-fi networks during its world-wide development.  Indeed, several countries have either commenced legal action or are contemplating same, with a BBC News article about the situation: "Google Accused of Criminal Intent Over StreetView Data", being typical.  

    While this latest disclosure about cell phones and wireless devices is only certain to add to the controversy, privacy concerns as described above are only one edge of the "geolocation sword".  The other edge is emergency response systems like Next Generation 911 will not work without the ability to determine the geospatial location of Voice Over IP systems (i.e. Vontage, Magic Jack) and cell phones.  

    For further insights into the complexities of this issue, go here

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Street View Cars Grabbed Locations of Phones and PCs


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/07/street-view-cars-grabbed-locations-of.html


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Quick Action Helps Google Win Friends in Japan

    Click on the link below to read this article from the New York Times:

    TECHNOLOGY   | July 11, 2011
    Quick Action Helps Google Win Friends in Japan
    By HIROKO TABUCHI
    Through efforts like a Person Finder site and Street View recordings after the earthquake and tsunami, Google is finally winning over new friends in Japan.

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Quick Action Helps Google Win Friends in Japan


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/07/quick-action-helps-google-win-friends.html


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National 9-1-1 Assessment Guidelines Released

    From the Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC):

    National 9-1-1 Assessment Guidelines (PDF, 125 Kb) are now available for public comment at the 9-1-1 Resource Center. Comments received will be considered prior to the release of the final guidelines.

    The National 9-1-1 Assessment Guidelines will serve as a comprehensive benchmark for statewide 9-1-1 systems to measure their progress as a unique and important entity, and will help to facilitate a coordinated effort to advance 9-1-1 across the country. The guidelines represent high level functions that should exist within a statewide 9-1-1 system. They are intended to be used as the basis for statewide system assessments to assist states in achieving their best level of 9-1-1 service.

    Interested personnel can provide comments using the comment form found at the 9-1-1 Resource Center. The comment form should be submitted by e-mail to this specific Resource Center electronic address. The comment period will remain open until 26 September 2011. 

    More information about the guidelines can be seen at 9-1-1 Magazine.com.

    Comment: In a related development, in late June the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) endorsed the United States Thoroughfare, Landmark and Postal Address Data Standard.   More here. 

Post Title

National 9-1-1 Assessment Guidelines Released


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/07/national-9-1-1-assessment-guidelines.html


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MnGeo Services During State Government Shutdown

    MnGeo status of services as known at this time:
    • The MnGeo Image Server has been left running for emergency response purposes.  A backup to the MnGeo Image Server has been installed and is operational on an alternate site in the event it is needed.
    • All other services have been turned off.
    Geocoder:
    • Efforts are underway to have an alternate geocoder service in place by the end of the week.  Details will be published here when available.
    If you have corrections or details you would like to add to this post, please use the post comment feature, or send to mngeoepc01@gmail.com.

Post Title

MnGeo Services During State Government Shutdown


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/07/mngeo-services-during-state-government.html


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World Bank Is Opening Its Treasure Chest of Data

    This is a must read article for anyone interested in importance of data sharing - geospatial or otherwise!

    BUSINESS DAY   | July 03, 2011
    World Bank Is Opening Its Treasure Chest of Data
    By STEPHANIE STROM
    Robert B. Zoellick, the World Bank president, argues that its most valuable currency isn't money - it's information.

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World Bank Is Opening Its Treasure Chest of Data


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/07/world-bank-is-opening-its-treasure.html


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July InfraGard Meeting

    For those who have never heard of "InfraGard", it is a FBI program of outreach to the nation's infrastructure community.  Local InfraGard chapters are managed by industry volunteers, who arrange a variety of training events and other activities designed to help the FBI prepare and respond to disasters.  (The FBI is the federal lead for response to man-made disasters, while FEMA is the federal lead for response to natural disasters).

    The Minnesota InfraGard Chapter is one of the largest and best run chapters in the country.  More than a few members of the EPC also belong to InfraGard, with Joella Givens serving as the Deputy Director of their P2CAT team which operates in the state EOC during disasters.  Information concerning their next chapter meeting is listed below.  Please send an email to Erica.J.Wirtz@wellsfargo.com if you would like to attend and are currently not an InfraGard member:   

    Time: July 12, 2011 from 1pm to 4pm
    Location: Metropolitan State University, St. Paul Campus (Founders Hall Auditorium)
    Organized By: Erica Wirtz for Minnesota InfraGard

    Event Description:
    Joint us Tuesday, July 12th from 1pm to 4pm for our July General Membership Meeting of the Minnesota Chapter of InfraGard

    Topics:

    An update on the Threats to your Cyber Assets - Mike Kearn and the intelligence committee will conduct a briefing on some of the recent cyber threats.

    What is the status of the Nuclear Threat to Minnesotans in light of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.The June 2, IAEA briefing on the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant states " Overall, the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant remains very serious." The plant was damaged during an earthquake and subsequent tsunami. The impacts of the damage and radiation leaks are only now being understood. In the wake of Fukushima there are now Nuclear Plants in the US that are threatened by flood water. We have put together a panel to discuss the disaster and its impact on Minnesota business and Minnesotans.

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July InfraGard Meeting


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/07/july-infragard-meeting.html


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In Nuclear Crisis, Crippling Mistrust

    An interesting discussion in the New York Times about the value of sharing information to avoid making a disaster worse.  Click on the hyperlink below to read:

    WORLD   | June 13, 2011
    In Nuclear Crisis, Crippling Mistrust
    By NORIMITSU ONISHI and MARTIN FACKLER
    A look at the first days after a tsunami crippled Japan's Fukushima Daiichi plant reveals that the prime minister was dangerously ill informed.

Post Title

In Nuclear Crisis, Crippling Mistrust


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https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/06/in-nuclear-crisis-crippling-mistrust.html


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