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Accurate GIS Data Leads to More Efficiently
Locating 9-1-1 Callers
“Our project had a very aggressive timeline for implementation, and GeoComm
went above and beyond to help us meet our goal. Working with GeoComm
effectively streamlined our mapping data to be utilized for multiple geo-based
applications. Their staff is very knowledgeable, friendly, and a pleasure to work
with. We always felt as though we were their number one priority.”
-Tiki Carlson - 9-1-1 Coordinator, McHenry County, Illinois
-Tiki Carlson - 9-1-1 Coordinator, McHenry County, Illinois
GIS
McHenry County, Illinois
9-1-1 callers expect to be found, even if they themselves are unsure of their location. For this reason it is important for your 9-1-1 system to contain accurate GIS data. If the GIS data does not contain the correct addresses and street names, emergency responders may have an difficult time responding to emergencies.
In mid 2009, GeoComm was hired through one of their business partners to provide mapping software to McHenry County, Illinois to coincide with a large scale, countywide CAD implementation. Because GeoComm understands the importance of GIS, specifically for Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) call plotting, prior to any software installation we perform a standard Data Analysis to determine the synchronization rate of the GIS map data, Master Street Addressing Guide (MSAG), and Automatic Location Identification (ALI) database. The greater the synchronization rate between the three databases results in a higher probability for accurately pin-pointing emergency call locations.
During the time the data analysis was being conducted, McHenry County’s map data was still being developed by another vendor. The vendor had several delays in submitting the collected map data to McHenry County, which in turn created a delay in completing the entire project. After successfully obtaining the current map data from a different third party GIS vendor GeoComm completed a Data Analysis of McHenry County’s map data. GeoComm provided McHenry County a detailed report of their map data findings, highlighting discrepancies in their road centerline and address point files, as well as incorrect Emergency Service Number (ESN) boundaries. It was clear the map data that was recently delivered to McHenry County did not meet requirements for use in public safety. GeoComm provided recommendations to improve the data discrepancies, to therefore make the data suitable for 9-1-1 call plotting.
Through regular correspondence and documentation between McHenry County and GeoComm, as well as several quality control/quality assurance checks, GeoComm communicated their findings with county officials and the other vendor to outline what modifications needed to be made immediately versus which modifications could be improved over time with further investigation. The other vendor worked on the recommended improvements up until the county’s scheduled “go live” date for software implementation. These updates resulted in the GIS data being delivered to McHenry County with a 79% synchronization rate between the GIS map data, MSAG, and ALI database at the time of installation. Once the software was installed, McHenry County contracted with GeoComm to further improve the Roads Centerline, ESN Boundaries, Address Point Layer, and Boundaries Layer. Since the software installation in the fall of 2009, GeoComm worked with McHenry County to improve the GIS data resulting in a steady increase in the synchronization rate between the GIS map data, MSAG, and ALI database. The current synchronization rate is over 90% and continues to rise.
“Our project had a very aggressive timeline for implementation, and GeoComm went above and beyond to help us meet our goal. Working with GeoComm effectively streamlined our mapping data to be utilized for multiple geo-based applications. Their staff is very knowledgeable, friendly, and a pleasure to work with. We always felt as though we were their number one priority” Tiki Carlson, 9-1-1 Coordinator.
McHenry County relied on GeoComm’s knowledge and dedication to improve the quality and accuracy of their GIS data. Now when a 9-1-1 call is answered in McHenry County, IL the telecommunicators may confidently measure distances, identify nearest responders, determine appropriate responder routing, and overall improve the efficiency of responding to emergencies. Their updated GIS data provides them a useful tool in critical situations, and allows them to fulfill 9-1-1 caller’s expectations of being located during an emergency.
About McHenry County:
McHenry County is situated in the northeast corner of the state. With a population of over 300,000 people in approximately 90,000 households, it is the sixth largest county in Illinois. McHenry County supports and maintains the consolidated public safety system for 26 police departments, 17 fire departments, and 7 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) that serve over 300,000 residents in McHenry County.
9-1-1 callers expect to be found, even if they themselves are unsure of their location. For this reason it is important for your 9-1-1 system to contain accurate GIS data. If the GIS data does not contain the correct addresses and street names, emergency responders may have an difficult time responding to emergencies.
In mid 2009, GeoComm was hired through one of their business partners to provide mapping software to McHenry County, Illinois to coincide with a large scale, countywide CAD implementation. Because GeoComm understands the importance of GIS, specifically for Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) call plotting, prior to any software installation we perform a standard Data Analysis to determine the synchronization rate of the GIS map data, Master Street Addressing Guide (MSAG), and Automatic Location Identification (ALI) database. The greater the synchronization rate between the three databases results in a higher probability for accurately pin-pointing emergency call locations.
During the time the data analysis was being conducted, McHenry County’s map data was still being developed by another vendor. The vendor had several delays in submitting the collected map data to McHenry County, which in turn created a delay in completing the entire project. After successfully obtaining the current map data from a different third party GIS vendor GeoComm completed a Data Analysis of McHenry County’s map data. GeoComm provided McHenry County a detailed report of their map data findings, highlighting discrepancies in their road centerline and address point files, as well as incorrect Emergency Service Number (ESN) boundaries. It was clear the map data that was recently delivered to McHenry County did not meet requirements for use in public safety. GeoComm provided recommendations to improve the data discrepancies, to therefore make the data suitable for 9-1-1 call plotting.
Through regular correspondence and documentation between McHenry County and GeoComm, as well as several quality control/quality assurance checks, GeoComm communicated their findings with county officials and the other vendor to outline what modifications needed to be made immediately versus which modifications could be improved over time with further investigation. The other vendor worked on the recommended improvements up until the county’s scheduled “go live” date for software implementation. These updates resulted in the GIS data being delivered to McHenry County with a 79% synchronization rate between the GIS map data, MSAG, and ALI database at the time of installation. Once the software was installed, McHenry County contracted with GeoComm to further improve the Roads Centerline, ESN Boundaries, Address Point Layer, and Boundaries Layer. Since the software installation in the fall of 2009, GeoComm worked with McHenry County to improve the GIS data resulting in a steady increase in the synchronization rate between the GIS map data, MSAG, and ALI database. The current synchronization rate is over 90% and continues to rise.
“Our project had a very aggressive timeline for implementation, and GeoComm went above and beyond to help us meet our goal. Working with GeoComm effectively streamlined our mapping data to be utilized for multiple geo-based applications. Their staff is very knowledgeable, friendly, and a pleasure to work with. We always felt as though we were their number one priority” Tiki Carlson, 9-1-1 Coordinator.
McHenry County relied on GeoComm’s knowledge and dedication to improve the quality and accuracy of their GIS data. Now when a 9-1-1 call is answered in McHenry County, IL the telecommunicators may confidently measure distances, identify nearest responders, determine appropriate responder routing, and overall improve the efficiency of responding to emergencies. Their updated GIS data provides them a useful tool in critical situations, and allows them to fulfill 9-1-1 caller’s expectations of being located during an emergency.
About McHenry County:
McHenry County is situated in the northeast corner of the state. With a population of over 300,000 people in approximately 90,000 households, it is the sixth largest county in Illinois. McHenry County supports and maintains the consolidated public safety system for 26 police departments, 17 fire departments, and 7 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) that serve over 300,000 residents in McHenry County.
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