GPS World

Tag: NG911

  • MCP works with NHTSA to assess GIS data sharing for 911

    MCP works with NHTSA to assess GIS data sharing for 911

    Photo: Thinkstock/Stockbyte/Getty Images
    Photo: Thinkstock/Stockbyte/Getty Images

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Mission Critical Partners (MCP) will collaborate to assess the status of geographic information systems (GIS) within the 911 community.

    The goal of the initiative is to define what is required to achieve interoperable GIS data sharing nationwide. NHTSA selected MCP following a full and open solicitation and comprehensive evaluation of all proposals. The National 911 Program, housed within NHTSA, will lead the effort.

    Thousands of 911 centers in the U.S. have not deployed a nationally uniform, consistent GIS capability or mechanism for sharing GIS data. According to the NHTSA, GIS is an essential element of a truly interoperable, interconnected national Next Generation 911 (NG911) system.

    In 2019, the “National NG911 Roadmap,” a report published by the National 911 Program and supported by MCP, highlighted GIS as a significant barrier to achieving a nationwide system of systems. The report emphasized the need to develop standards, requirements and best practices for sharing GIS data. Later in 2019, the program published the “Strategic Plan for 911 Data and Information Sharing,” which also underscored the need for GIS data uniformity.

    Critical elements of the National 911 Program/MCP final report will include:

    • Current status of GIS. As 911 centers deploy NG911 and transfer calls across jurisdictions, the lack of GIS consistency poses significant problems. Many technical and non-technical challenges are associated with how GIS data is developed, processed, shared and stored among 911 entities. The report will identify the technical issues that the community must address.
    • Assessment of required entities, issues and partner agencies. Governance, administrative, financial and operational issues will be addressed, including resources, budget and organizations needed to overcome the gaps.
    • Strategies and metrics. The report will identify metrics to determine the accuracy of GIS data. It also will present strategies for overcoming the challenges found throughout the assessment process.

    The National 911 Program is responsible for improving coordination and communication among federal, state and local 911 centers, personnel, and telecommunications carriers and vendors. One of the program’s primary objectives is to develop and share resources concerning the technology used in providing 911 services.

    Mission Critical Partners (MCP) provides data integration, consulting, network and cybersecurity solutions for mission-critical communications networks in the public safety, justice, healthcare, transportation and utility markets.

  • NSGIC joins NG911 NOW Coalition

    The National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) has joined the NG911 NOW Coalition, a coalition focused on rapidly accelerating the deployment of Next Generation 911 (NG911), as a strategic partner.

    NSGIC is actively engaged in NG911 issues, NSGIC President Chris Diller said in his response to NG911 NOW Coalition’s invitation to partner. He cited NSGIC’s own NG911 committee, resources found on its website, various position papers and formal presentations at its annual conference.

    “Joining the NG911 NOW Coalition is the right thing to do,” Diller said.

    NSGIC members serve the entire geospatial community in their respective states. They coordinate data development projects to ensure that the data will meet the majority of needs for local, state, tribal and federal agencies. The NG911 community has the highest level business requirements which are related to their life-saving activities. Creating data for this purpose and then sharing the data with all government agencies is efficient and effective government in action.

    In early March, NSGIC formally announced its support of the NG911 NOW Coalition’s position to “accelerate the implementation of NG911 services by the end of 2020.” In a statement released at that time, NSGIC noted, “This move to a nationwide interconnected NG911 system will require the integration of robust GIS datasets produced at the state and local levels and will require the creation of data governance policies and procedures to ensure data available to the NG911 system is both current and active.”

    NSGIC joins the Internet2 Technology Center, the 911 Education Foundation, the NG911 Institute and the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association in the NG911 NOW Coalition partners program. The Coalition was established by the National Association of State 911 Administrators, the National Emergency Number Association and the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies.

  • GeoComm eBook Focuses on Assessing GIS Data for NG911

    GeoComm has released an ebook focusing on assessing GIS data for an NG911 system (next-generation 911). In an NG911 system, GIS data development, accuracy, and maintenance are vital, and GeoComm approaches NG911 readiness in three steps: assess, improve and maintain.

    The ebook, Key Steps for Assessing Mission Critical Data for 9-1-1, focuses on the assess step.

    GeoComm approaches GIS data assessment by first identifying the current state of the reader’s GIS Data. NG911 GIS assessment can be completed by:

    • Educating stakeholders
    • Developing standards
    • Reviewing and analyzing GIS data

    In addition to outlining the tasks for each of these three steps, the eBook includes an example of how the State of Iowa approached its NG911 GIS data assessment.

    “Today is the day to begin preparing GIS data for its key role in a successful NG911 system.  Whether you are tackling your GIS data assessment yourself, working with outside jurisdictions, or partner with a vendor; this eBook provides a valuable guide to accomplish your GIS data assessment,” GeoComm said in a statement.

    Click here to read the free PDF ebook.