Big Things from Small Packages – Some Approaches to Field Mapping in the Fire Services

1. Big Things from Small Packages – Some Approaches to Field Mapping in the Fire Services EMSINA Workshop Team September 2003

2. Introduction • Brief background to use of spatial technologies in fire services • Discussion of the current situation • Overview of some different approaches • Demonstrations

3. The Challenges The Culture • Task Focus of Fire Fighters • Limited Use of Spatial Technologies • Reliance on undocumented local knowledge to overcome data inaccuracies

4. The Challenges The Environment • Limited Data Availability • Limited Data Transfer Capacity • Limited Software – Hardware Uptake • Limited $$

5. The Challenges The Needs • Briefing and scene setting • Paper map replacements • Post-incident analysis / debriefing • Fire management planning • Spatial analysis technology and products

6. The Situation Data Sets • Large sizes and numbers • Variable metadata and range of custodians • Optional formats

7. The Situation Software – Hardware • Industry norm = High-end functionality • Flexible but expensive in time

8. The Situation Training Overhead High Outcomes?.................. Variable!

9. The Approaches Reproduce Paper Maps • Scanned images annotated in a drawing package +ve no special skills, drawing and printing from standard packages -ve output limited by input scan resolution, printing device and design ability

10. The Approaches Use Map Viewers • Higher level user sets up data and does any analysis • Local user displays, zooms, pans, annotates, prints +ve limited special skills, drawing and printing from limited range -ve limited output options, requirement for additional software and training for control can be clumsy

11. The Approaches Use partly enabled / run time / custom software packages • Allows agency control over most aspects of implementation +ve Responsive to evolving needs and capacities, Provides tailored solutions. -ve May be incomplete solution, Needs specialist programming, tailored training and support

12. The Approaches Use fully enabled software packages • Needs specialist training and support • Requires significant capital investment • Difficult to provide resources for multiple fires • Great products!

13. Summary • Fire services are predominantly low end users of spatial technology. • The majority of fire service personnel are at the Viewer or User level • Spatial technology take up is partly culture and partly conservatism

15. Tasmania Fire Service • First phase MapInfo v2 • Second phase MI Proviewer / MI Pro / ARMS • Current phase Fire Plotter / MI Pro / MI Discovery

16. Fire Symbols • Three fire authorities in Tasmania • GIS usage includes both ESRI and MI products • Single symbol and line set created for both systems

17. Fire Plotter • MapX engine • Custom Front End • TFS retains IP • ~$400/ license • $10K for v1.0 • +$20K for v2.0

18. Fire Plotter • Task focussed • Development driven by user group demand and prioritisation • V1 designed to view scanned images and imported data. • V2 designed to allow GPS input and to manipulate data.

19. FirePlotter is organised into Tasks and Views • Standard layers have default zoom level displays • New layers easily added

20. Brigade assignments and burnt area displayed over images of the local Street Atlas

21. Export is as a JPG of the window Printing is to a MS Word Template

22. OZIEXPLORER • Began as a low end application for 4WD • Enthusiastic programmer willing to customise • Very capable • Very popular in volunteer circles (esp. SA & Vic) • $US75 • www.oziexplorer.com