Project Title:

Training Course on the Application of geospatial intelligence for Fire, Rescue, Incidence Management and Emergency Medical Services

Aim:

Provide unique set of capabilities for applying location analytics to the preparedness, response, and recovery practices of the fire service department and to develop actionable geospatial intelligence for the fire service agency.

Objectives:

• It allows for technical staff from public or private sectors, or experts, or government officials to learn applicable and universal method and model in the related field.

• It will facilitate technological cooperation and advance public awareness in this field.

• Produce fire response maps. Fire Service Maps can be used to produce wall maps and run books that are placed in a fire station or apparatus to assist with response activities.

• Be able to carry out Target Hazard Analysis in order to identify properties and buildings that could result in a loss of life, or have a negative impact on the community, if a fire were to occur.

• Maintain an inventory of road closures and communicate closures and detours to travellers.

• Use network analyst to determine average response times from any location.

• Display, manipulate, create and organize data layers in a GIS environment.

• Use GIS Solutions to understand risks, develop pre-incident plans, and improve actions taken in response to an incident.

• Use GIS to answer specific spatial questions.

Preamble:

Emergency incidents have claimed lives, destroyed thousands of structures, prompted evacuations, and impacted localities. The expanding population and extreme weather conditions have magnified the impact of these incidents. The response and recovery to these increasingly complex events impact municipal budgets, local economies, and the communities we serve. Location is fundamental to the fire service and used to make decisions that protect life and property. It influences pre-planning activities and improves response capabilities. Robust, accurate data analysis is critical for successful operations, especially after a response. The mission of fire service is to protect life, property, and natural resources from fire and other emergencies. As population and building development increase, the role of the fire service becomes more demanding and complex. As never before, fire departments are being called upon to deliver services with greater efficiency and economy. With increasing demands, the fire service must utilize the best tools, techniques, and training methods to meet public expectations. Risk management, preparedness, and mitigation have taken on new importance with challenges facing the fire service today. Effective response cannot be continually achieved without adequate planning and preparedness. One of the emerging tools that is helping the fire service optimise its emergency services delivery is Geographic information system (GIS) technology. Geographic information systems provide an excellent medium for data integration and a basis for a spatial decision-support system. A GIS supports decision-making by providing ways to examine and choose among alternative solutions, and takes decision-makers beyond the point of simply possessing data, information, and knowledge. It provides unparalleled tools for measuring performance and outcomes with rich analysis and visualizations. Collaboration tools simplify communication with stakeholders and decision-makers. Fire and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel continuously analyse data. Every response generates data for after-action reporting, performance measures, and the identification of successful outcomes. GIS supports these reviews with rich data analysis from computer-aided dispatch and records management systems, precise measurements, and streamlined data sharing with decision-makers. Fire command staff can use GIS to monitor fire and EMS operations sourced from computer-aided dispatch or records management data. GIS can be used to visualize recent incident reports such as calls for service. GIS also allows command staff to review daily activity for each station or district, maintain incident awareness, understand short-term trends, and monitor response times. GIS mapping software supplies reliable information where and when you need it most. Know who and what are at risk. See where demand is changing, understand it better and manage it differently. Execute a smarter strategy across services and agencies —all through the power of visualising, analysing, and acting on data through the lens of location. As fire incidence continue to threaten communities, agencies must adapt to the increasing frequency and intensity. Location intelligence is essential to fighting these fires. GIS delivers location analytics, maps, apps, and reports that strengthen preparedness, response, and recovery.

Training Description

The proposed training course is designed to introduce fire service department staff to the fundamentals of GIS and applications in fire management and emergency response. Short presentations on geospatial background topics are followed by targeted hands-on exercises which introduce participants to GIS software interfaces, spatial data types, spatial data formats, map templates, map symbology, and map layouts; and later include the manipulation of data layers, map symbology, rudimentary spatial analysis, data creation, and editing, making queries. Introduction to data capture with GPS and integration with GIS. Participants will use GIS software and existing spatial data to create maps. The course will also include the creation of a final mapping project using data used and/or created during the training.

Beneficiaries and Output

Beneficiaries and Outputs The outputs of the training course will be files to be used during the training course, the expertise and experiences in this regard to be summarized in the final report. Through full discussion and communication on the training course, participants will greatly benefit from the information and expertise exchanges. The training files will provide some applicable and useful processing methods and calculation models for the application of GIS for Fire, Rescue, Incidence Management and Emergency Medical Services. Participants at all levels will benefit from the training course to enhance capacity to deal with the problems in related field and push forward the extension of related technologies.

Target Group

• Fire service department staff, GIS specialists, technicians, and others who are interested in utilizing geospatial skills for fire and related hazard incident management.

Prerequisite Qualification and Training

• Basic computer knowledge is recommended but no prior knowledge of GIS is required.

Delivery

Instructor-led hands-on training

Hardware

Suitable laptop computer, mouse, GPS device.

Software

• ArcGI, QGIS, Google Earth. 

• FTP client software  (examples: FileZilla, WinSCP)

• Internet service

Location

To be discussed

Course Level

National, State or LGAs.