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GIS for NG9-1-1
GIS data will play a larger role in the nation’s public safety system as
jurisdictions adopt Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1). GIS will be essential for
call routing, call handling, call delivery, location validation, and emergency
response. Since NG9-1-1 is driven by GIS data, accurate 9-1-1 base maps
are needed for successful 9-1-1 emergency events.
A major premise of NG9-1-1 is connecting 9-1-1 communications centers via an emergency services Internet (ESInet). In this network, GIS data has an expanded role based on the spatial, geographic routing that will happen in the network. Currently, GIS data for 9-1-1 is used to locate the address of an incident after a call has reached a 9-1-1 center, and the routing process is handled within a tabular database not by geography. In an ESInet, however, GIS data will manage where the 9-1-1 call is routed, in other words, identifying which Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) will receive the call based on geography.
Preparing map data for NG9-1-1 is a time-consuming process so it is important to start now. As agencies transition from their current E9-1-1 system to NG9-1-1 systems it is important to review the basic requirements for GIS data use in the NG9-1-1 environment. Updating GIS data to be suitable for NG9-1-1 call routing is the responsibility of individual jurisdictions, so understanding the new requirements for GIS data structure, additional layers, and the fields is critical.
Since GIS data is used to validate addresses, route calls to the correct PSAP, and locate callers in a NG9-1-1 system, it means that the Master Street Address Guide (MSAG) will eventually be a thing of the past. Today, agencies can start preparing by analyzing the accuracy and synchronization of their GIS data to their current MSAG and Automatic Location Information (ALI) database. A match rate at or around 98 percent is recommended in order to ensure accurate location validation and call routing. This will help transition your agency from relying on the MSAG to relying confidently on the GIS data. Understanding how to conduct this analysis and update your data can be overwhelming, but it is a good starting point for NG9-1-1 readiness.
The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) believes that agencies should start today due to the importance of this process. They have issued an informational document, Synchronizing GIS with MSAG and ALI (#71-501), that provides guidelines for GIS, MSAG, and ALI database synchronization. The document, created by a NENA workgroup that included one of GeoComm’s GIS consultants, can help you throughout the analysis and updating process.
For more information on steps jurisdictions need to complete to prepare GIS data for the NG9-1-1 environment, including links to articles and case studies, see GeoComm’s NG9-1-1 Ready webpage.
A major premise of NG9-1-1 is connecting 9-1-1 communications centers via an emergency services Internet (ESInet). In this network, GIS data has an expanded role based on the spatial, geographic routing that will happen in the network. Currently, GIS data for 9-1-1 is used to locate the address of an incident after a call has reached a 9-1-1 center, and the routing process is handled within a tabular database not by geography. In an ESInet, however, GIS data will manage where the 9-1-1 call is routed, in other words, identifying which Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) will receive the call based on geography.
Preparing map data for NG9-1-1 is a time-consuming process so it is important to start now. As agencies transition from their current E9-1-1 system to NG9-1-1 systems it is important to review the basic requirements for GIS data use in the NG9-1-1 environment. Updating GIS data to be suitable for NG9-1-1 call routing is the responsibility of individual jurisdictions, so understanding the new requirements for GIS data structure, additional layers, and the fields is critical.
Since GIS data is used to validate addresses, route calls to the correct PSAP, and locate callers in a NG9-1-1 system, it means that the Master Street Address Guide (MSAG) will eventually be a thing of the past. Today, agencies can start preparing by analyzing the accuracy and synchronization of their GIS data to their current MSAG and Automatic Location Information (ALI) database. A match rate at or around 98 percent is recommended in order to ensure accurate location validation and call routing. This will help transition your agency from relying on the MSAG to relying confidently on the GIS data. Understanding how to conduct this analysis and update your data can be overwhelming, but it is a good starting point for NG9-1-1 readiness.
The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) believes that agencies should start today due to the importance of this process. They have issued an informational document, Synchronizing GIS with MSAG and ALI (#71-501), that provides guidelines for GIS, MSAG, and ALI database synchronization. The document, created by a NENA workgroup that included one of GeoComm’s GIS consultants, can help you throughout the analysis and updating process.
For more information on steps jurisdictions need to complete to prepare GIS data for the NG9-1-1 environment, including links to articles and case studies, see GeoComm’s NG9-1-1 Ready webpage.
“If I had a project of this magnitude again I would give GeoComm every consideration for the
project because I know it would be performed on time and their staff go above and beyond to
make sure it is done right."
– Mark Cvetnich, Dickenson County E9-1-1 Manager and Director of Operations
– Mark Cvetnich, Dickenson County E9-1-1 Manager and Director of Operations
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