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The foundation for public safety and security in any country is a common operational picture (COP). By referencing data to a common spatial framework, a COP provides a comprehensive, up-to-the-minute view of the situation on the ground, fusing maps with real-time data feeds, often from multiple agencies and organisations. â©
This spatial framework helps the operator understand situations more quickly by showing the locational context of an incident and providing links to supplementary information that can help determine whether action is required. It also enables the application of spatial analysis techniques to real-time data to automate and streamline processes, saving vital time. For example, agencies can optimise the locations of police, firefighters or paramedics to enable the shortest response times across a service area. â©
Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems and GIS are crucial components of this framework. Together, call-taking and dispatch software, maps and spatially enabled data provide public safety and security agencies with the information they need to protect and provide services for the public. â©
For agencies to do their jobs as quickly and efficiently as possible, these solutions must be integrated; the more seamless, the better. Thatâs what makes vendor collaboration so important. In todayâs dynamic technology environment â where changes in the IT landscape are blurring the boundaries that exist between different systems and redefining the scope of what can be achieved â the ability to offer flexible and integrated solutions to customers is imperative. â©
Recently, Intergraph and Esri announced a collaboration to enhance geospatial capabilities for public safety and security agencies. The goal is a tighter alignment between two widely deployed systems â Intergraphâs dispatch system, I/CAD, and Esriâs ArcGIS platform â which will enable organisations to improve their productivity and manage geospatial data more efficiently as part of their incident management environment. I/CAD uses a proprietary map component that supports many different geospatial functions, such as geocoding, routing first responders to events and displaying locations of units on a map. Historically, Intergraph has offered I/Map Editor, which runs on top of Intergraphâs GeoMedia product suite, to migrate an agencyâs GIS data into I/CAD.â©
Through the collaboration, Intergraph will introduce I/Map Editor for ArcGIS, a new product that works directly within ArcGIS to more easily migrate that platformâs data into I/CAD. I/Map Editor for ArcGIS minimises the number of different systems and steps required for ArcGIS users, offering them a one-stop shop to do their GIS work and upload data into their I/CAD system. It offers users familiar tools and avoids extra steps. Importantly, it puts the most up-to-date geospatial data, as efficiently as possible, into the hands of agency personnel.â©
Dispatchers and responders need the right information at the right place at the right time. An effective spatial framework is critical to public safety and security operations. It provides connections and context to aid incident management. By more tightly aligning our products and collaborating in support of our public safety and security customers, Intergraph and Esri are working to transform the status quo, improve user productivity and provide agencies with even more flexible and dynamic capabilities.â©
Importantly, it puts the most Qgeospatial data, as efficiently as possible, into the hands of agency personnelâ©
Kalyn Sims is vice president for public safety products, Intergraph Security, Government & Infrastructure (www.intergraph.com/sgi/)â¨Russ Johnson, director of public safety and homeland security solutions, Esri (www.esri.com)
