Spatial Data Infrastructure for Disaster Management in the US

1. Spatial Data InfrastructureforDisaster Management in the US The 9th International Seminar on GIS 8 – 9 September 2004 Seoul, Korea Alan Stevens, PhD International Program Manager US Federal Geographic Data Committee Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) www.@gsdi.org +703-648-5119

2. Geography: To Advance Business & Government Using ……. The Power of “Place” to Support Decision Making

3. Reducing crime Enhancing public safety Containing costs Homeland Security Managing growth Improving accountability Disaster mgt. Protecting the environment How do we make decisions on these critical issues?

4. What if there was a tool that could integrate data from diverse sources — and visually analyze data to support decision making — many times faster than any other tool?

5. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Giving decision-makers the power to make more informed decisions.

6. Demographics Flood Zones Land Ownership Power Grid Transportation Surface Waters Boundaries Water Lines Elevation Sewer Lines Geodetic Control Gas Lines Imagery Relationships Among DataBuild Once, Use Many Times Base Data Other Thematic Data

7. To make informed decisions, we have to gather the right information. …using the best data available.

8. Realities Among Data • Relevant data is often hard to find and in incompatible forms. • Information describing data is often non-existent. • Framework data does not exist for broad geographic areas. • Data sharing across organizations is inconsistent.

9. So What do we need??? • Common language • Common reference system • Common framework • Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) … a National Spatial Data Infrastructure

10. So how does the FGDC and the NSDI fit into the picture??? • Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) • National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) … and how does this all fit into Homeland Security?

11. Create a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) ……… To encourage the collection, processing, archiving, integrating, and sharing of geospatial data and information using common standards and interoperable systems and techniques ….. and accessible via the web

12. Clearinghouse (catalog) Metadata GEOdata Framework Standards Core Components of the NSDI Partnerships

13. The Federal Geographic DataCommittee …. What is it?? • Formed about 1990 to promote the development and implementation of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI)

14. The Federal Geographic DataCommittee …. What is it?? It is really two things: • A staff of about 26 people supporting the Secretary of the Interior • A committee of 19 Cabinet Level Offices promulgating the NSDI

15. Interior (Vice Chair) Agriculture Defense Energy HHS HUD Justice State Transportation EPA Emergency Mgt Library of Congress NASA Archives OMB (Vice Chair) Commerce NSF TVA GSA FGDC Steering CommitteeCabinet Officers and Agencies:

16. What does the FGDC do……?It builds alliances to: • Address institutional barriers • Identify and develop policy changes • Identify most effective ways to collect, maintain and distribute data • Designate data stewards • Reach consensus on framework

17. What does the FGDC do……?It builds alliances to: • Encourage metadata creation • Clearinghouse development • Encourage the use common standards and participation in national and international standards committees • Seek new partners • Develop incentives for participants • Etc…….

18. What does the FGDC do……?It builds alliances to: ‘The Carrot and the Stick’ • Building policy ……………..is like the stick • Creating incentives ……………..is the carrot Community Agreements Program …..CAP Grant program -- the carrot

19. The Federal Geographic DataCommittee …. what’s new? • Major focus within the Federal Government • An effort to reach into states and communities • Need a sustained effort to drive the concept and application to the states and local governments

20. The Federal Geographic DataCommittee …. what’s new? • Geospatial One-Stop • E-gov • E-com • FGDC Future Directions

21. FGDC/NSDI Future Directions VISION: Current and accurate geospatial data will be available to contribute locally, nationally, and globally to economic growth, environmental quality, and stability, and social progress

22. FGDC/NSDI Future Directions 1. Forging partnerships with a purpose Expand the governance model

23. FGDC/NSDI Future Directions 2. Making framework real …generating framework data themes that will include collection, documentation, access, and utilization of data.

24. FGDC/NSDI Future Directions 3. Communicating the Message …recognized across the nation as the primary source for the availability and use of reliable spatial data

25. So, how does all of this fit into homeland security????? • Homeland security needs accurate geo-referenced data and information on a timely basis • Disparate data • Easily accessed • From local, regional, national as well as private and utility sources • And without it, homeland security will be a failure

26. Accurate, comprehensive data are at the heart of information technology ….and geographic location is the key feature in 80-90% of all government and utility data/information

27. Why is Geospatial data so critical? It is an invaluable tool for handling, displaying, and analysis for: • Detection • Preparedness • Prevention • Protection • Response and recovery

28. The FGDC already has …….. • Well established network with federal , state, local, tribal, and related partners to collect framework data • Existing clearinghouse network for rapid data discovery, sharing, and protection of critical information • e-gov portal now in place • Close collaboration with industry and international standards organizations

29. Newly created Department of Homeland Security (DHS)……. Bills in Congress identifying the duties for the CIO of DHS for geospatial preparedness • Manage geospatial information needs for DHS • Establish standards for data/metadata and systems interoperability • Liaison with the FGDC • Provide financial incentives to state, regional, local, and tribal governments

30. This is an opportunity!!! An opportunity for the FGDC to carry on with the critical work of building an NSDI ……to keep the pressure on!

31. Opportunities such as…….. The FGDC, Geospatial One-Stop (e-gov), and the National Mapping Program working together to provide a unified grant program The National Mapping Program is concentrating on keeping the mapping for 133 cities current

32. Opportunities such as…….. FGDC’s Homeland Security Working Group Supports the preparation for, protection against, response to, and recovery from natural and human caused disasters

33. FGDC’s Homeland Security Working Group … initiatives: • Unified map symbology • Draft standards out for review • Will be submitting to US national standards organisation • www.fgdc.gov/HSWG (case sensitive) • Recommend guidelines for identifying sensitive data content • Also out for review

34. In short we need to ensure…. • A comprehensive NSDI • Interoperable systems that process the data and information • Common processes for collection, processing, archive a distribution • Willingness to share the data or at least information about the data • Policies that allow/encourage sharing

35. Additional Information • www.fgdc.gov Federal Geographic Data Committee • www.geo-one-stop.gov Geospatial 1-stop (e-gov) • www.opengis.org Open GIS Consortium • www.gsdi.org Global Spatial Data Infrastructure • www.permcom.apgis.gov.au Permanent Comm. For GIS Information for Asia & the Pacific

37. Geospatial One-StopParticipating US Federal Agencies • Commerce • Transportation • NASA • Environmental Protection • Homeland Security • Agriculture • Defense

38. Geospatial One-StopIntergovernmental Board of Directors • International City/County Management Association • Intertribal GIS Council • National Association of State CIOs • National States Geographic Information Council • National Association of Counties • National League of Cities • Western Governors’ Association • Department of the Interior • Department of Commerce • Department of Transportation • NASA