Improving Emergency Response Effectiveness with ArcGIS Indoors

Jonathan Hodel, PE, GISP

Principal

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, ensuring the safety and security of school environments is paramount. One innovative approach gaining traction is the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for emergency response. By utilizing platforms like ArcGIS Indoors, schools can significantly enhance their preparedness and response strategies. This blog will take a closer look at how GIS technology can transform emergency management in educational settings.

Understanding ArcGIS Indoors

ArcGIS Indoors is an extension of the ArcGIS platform, which includes add-on components for ArcGIS Pro (desktop version), ArcGIS Online (cloud-based), and ArcGIS Enterprise (on-premise). This platform serves as a spatial engagement tool, offering a mapping interface to visualize and interact with data effectively. Key components of the ArcGIS platform range from data collection to displaying data using executive dashboards.

 

Key Applications of Indoor GIS

  • Indoor Base Maps (Floor plans)

  • Emergency Response Planning

  • Operations

  • Facility Maintenance

  • Asset Management

  • Space Management

  • Routing & Wayfinding

ArcGIS Indoors

Emergency Response Planning and Safety

The ability to navigate and understand the spatial layout of buildings is critical during emergencies. Indoor GIS can support emergency response teams by providing accurate maps and real-time location data by integrating various data sources for both local law enforcement and campus administrative staff. Authorities can then make informed decisions regarding safety initiatives and resource management during times of crisis.

Building an Indoor GIS for Emergency Response

Developing an indoor GIS for emergency management involves 3 key steps:

  1. Strategize: Determine the spatial requirements, accuracy needed, and the enterprise environment (ArcGIS Enterprise or Online). Involving key stakeholders like local law enforcement and campus security early in the process is essential.

  2. Organize: Collect and organize existing data, such as CAD drawings, PDF files, and floor plans. Proper file naming and data organization streamline the import process into the GIS system.

  3. Mobilize: Implement the collected data into the GIS system, potentially using mobile scanners for high accuracy. This step includes planning for data maintenance to ensure the information remains current and useful.

Practical Use Cases for Indoor GIS in Emergency Response

Evacuation Route

  • GIS helps track the location and status of emergency equipment like fire extinguishers, AEDs, and fire alarm control panels. This ensures that equipment is maintained and easily accessible during emergencies.

  • Utility Management: Knowing the locations of utility connections, such as gas, water, and electric shut-offs, can be critical during incidents involving hazardous materials

  • Evacuation Routes: GIS technology can dynamically generate and display evacuation routes, accessible through various devices, ensuring everyone knows the safest and quickest way out during an emergency.

  • Security and monitoring: Integrating security camera feeds with the GIS system allows for real-time monitoring of school premises, enhancing situational awareness during emergencies.

Advanced Indoor GIS Features and Tools

  • Indoor Positioning: ArcGIS Indoors offers indoor positioning systems (IPS), allowing responders to see real-time locations within buildings, facilitating quicker response times.

  • QR Codes: Placing QR codes on rooms and key locations can help quickly identify and report the exact location during an emergency.

  • 360 Imagery: Using platforms like Matterport, campus facilities can create 360-degree images of their facilities, which can be converted to point clouds and used for detailed floor plans and pre-incident planning.

Conclusion

The integration of GIS technology into indoor environments is a game-changer for emergency response. By leveraging tools like ArcGIS Indoors, school campuses can create safer environments, improve operational efficiency, and ensure swift, effective responses to emergencies. The ability to visualize, analyze, and act upon spatial data in real-time equips school administrators and emergency responders with the information they need to protect students and staff effectively.

As technology continues to advance, embracing GIS for emergency management will undoubtedly become a standard practice in ensuring the safety and security of educational institutions.

For more information on how your school district can implement an indoor mapping platform such as ArcGIS Indoors, contact Cloudpoint Geospatial’s professional services team.