Home > Public Safety > GIS Data Assessment – Laying a Foundation for Success
FacebookLinkedInXPinterestEmail
Dark Mode

GIS Data Assessment – Laying a Foundation for Success

Data about our location is everywhere.  We live in a world of data When answering a 9-1-1 call, access to accurate and uptodate GIS data is critical because seconds count.      

How accurate is the public safety GIS data in your communityDoes your call taker, dispatcher, and first responder have the necessary data during those critical seconds?  These are important questions GIS and 9-1-1 teams need to answer.  As public safety is transitioning to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1)quality Public Safety Grade GIS data is essential to ensure 9-1-1 calls route to the correct Emergency Communications Center (ECC) and responders arrive at the correct location.  To determine if your GIS data is up to this task, a GIS data assessment is the common approach to providing the answers that you need to enhance your current 9-1-1 system and prepare for NG9-1-1.    

Where to Start

A GIS data assessment is the first step to determine if your data meets your community’s needs.  It involves more than just analyzing GISMaster Street Address Guide (MSAG), or Automatic Location Identification (ALI) databases.  Education and development of local 9-1-1 data processes and maintenance workflows also play an integral role in the assessment process.  Collaboration between your GIS and 9-1-1 professionals is more critical than ever before, as these teams work together to meet the GIS data quality needs of their 9-1-1 systems.  Many agencies find advantages to having an outside assessment completed to streamline this process while being sensitive to interdepartmental goals.  Common requirements of a GIS data assessment include: 

August 26, 2022

GIS Resources

Avoiding 9-1-1 Call Failures: How PSAP Boundaries and NG9-1-1 Support Emergency Preparedness

As Next-Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) continues to evolve, accurate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) 911 service area boundaries are more crucial than ever for emergency services. This accuracy is also a foundational component of broader emergency preparedness strategies aimed at improving public safety outcomes. Why is this so important for emergency preparedness?   NG9-1-1 Emergency Call Routing Functions...

How Denco 9-1-1 Locates Callers Indoors Using GeoComm’s Indoor Mapping

Indoor Mapping for Emergency Response & Public Safety Overview: Denco 9-1-1 Enhances School Safety with Indoor Mapping Denco Area 9-1-1 District (Denco 9-1-1) partnered with GeoComm in late 2019 to tackle the critical challenge of locating 9-1-1 callers indoors. The Indoor Map Development Project aimed to enhance Emergency Communications Center (ECC) mapping capabilities by leveraging...

Southwest Minnesota: Digital Geographic Information System Mapping & 9-1-1 Emergency Response

Overview In 2023, the Southwest Minnesota Emergency Communications Board (SWECB) partnered with GeoComm to launch an indoor mapping pilot project. This digital geographic information system mapping initiative transformed critical infrastructure buildings into GIS-powered indoor maps, providing first responders with precise, real-time location intelligence and the school mapping data needed to ensure effective emergency response. The...