Creating Situational Awareness for First Responders

david blankinshipsenior gis analyst, colorado springs fire department

Principles of our knowledge management

Deliver the right information, to the right Deliver the right information, to the right person, at the right momentperson, at the right moment

Unimpeded integration across space, time, Unimpeded integration across space, time, entity, and processentity, and process

Totally structured for the consumerTotally structured for the consumer

What does this create?

Practical, mission-driven solutions:Practical, mission-driven solutions:

Run Order/CAD integration

Map books, wall maps, etc

Parcel-based wildland fire risk analysis

Assessing vulnerable populations

HazMat Plume Modeling

Spatial Decision Support Systems/RAMP

Wildland fire behavior

Flood/inundation studies

Swift water rescue guidance

Complex and preplan data

Evacuation routes

Damage assessment

Integrated inspection systemsAVL/ITS

Intra-structure forensics

Arson profiling

CBRNE modeling

USAR/S&R

Water supply analysis

Station location studies

Information delivery in any format, any place

Major incident support

OEM/OES strategic planning

Interoperability/SA Landslide susceptibility

Executive leadership that always focuses Executive leadership that always focuses on forward progress – not just doing on forward progress – not just doing something because we always havesomething because we always have

Make the Make the goalgoal define the technology – it’s define the technology – it’s just a tool, not a religionjust a tool, not a religion

How do you know what to do?

Risk AssessmentRisk AssessmentParcel-based wildland fire risk assessment Parcel-based wildland fire risk assessment Risk Assessment and Mitigation Process (RAMP)Risk Assessment and Mitigation Process (RAMP)

Standardization via National Fire Data ModelStandardization via National Fire Data ModelSponsorshipSponsorship

AVL/Intelligent Transportation SystemAVL/Intelligent Transportation System

Specific examples

Goal - Goal - engage the community to engage the community to reduce riskreduce risk Require a common view of the Require a common view of the

wildfire hazardwildfire hazard Demand consistent level of Demand consistent level of

accuracy across communityaccuracy across community Focus on actionable tasks that Focus on actionable tasks that

could mitigate effects of an eventcould mitigate effects of an event

Combine advanced remote sensing with

public process to improve fire risk

mitigation

Parcel-based WUI Risk Assessment

44,329 site visits

20 values/site

9 Months

9 Engines

3 Hours/shift

$1.5m value

DATA COLLECTION STRATEGY 2001Example – Initial WUI assessment (55 sq miles) using

traditional collection assets.

Update utilized remote sensing data to reduced time and cost

($62K)

Develop a community definition of WUI Develop a community definition of WUI hazards and riskshazards and risks Adopt existing modelAdopt existing model Develop community-based modelDevelop community-based model

Common AttributesCommon Attributes Fire Behavior (fuels, slope, aspect, etc)Fire Behavior (fuels, slope, aspect, etc) Landscape (veg density, defensible space)Landscape (veg density, defensible space) Water (hydrant, sources)Water (hydrant, sources) Access (response time, road conditions)Access (response time, road conditions) Construction (roof, siding, utilities, etc)Construction (roof, siding, utilities, etc)

Combine attributes to develop a ratingCombine attributes to develop a rating ScienceScience Subject Matter ExpertsSubject Matter Experts Polling of effected communityPolling of effected community

Moraga-Orinda

Risk Assessment Models – Wildland Fire

Wildland Fire Risk

Fire Suppression Fire Behavior Owner Intervention

Water Supply

Road Condition

Visible Addressing

Hydrant Location

Fire Dept Response Time

Building Density

Electrical Panel

Predominant Slope

Dangerous Topography

Predominant Aspect

Predominant Fuel Type

Fire Department Access

Decking & Balcony

Chimney Protection

Structure Roofing Material

Eave and Vent Openings

Landscaping

AVL CentralSystem

900 MHz

GPS

CSFD

© C o p y rig h t 1 9 9 6 G a la ctic S o ftw a re . A ll R ig h ts R e se rve d .

CAD

Call Info. Call Info.

Dispatch

Pre

em

pti

on

IntegratedTraffic Signals

Time to sit down, dave…

david blankinshipsenior gis analyst, colorado springs fire department