Geographic Information Systems Insights

GeoComm, provider of Public Safety Location Intelligence®, has completed a pilot project with the Burt County Sheriff’s Office and Cuming County E911 Dispatch in Nebraska to integrate GIS-based indoor maps for one school in each county into their GeoComm Dispatch Map software.

When a 9-1-1 call is placed, the caller’s location is a primary piece of information that dispatchers need to deploy emergency response personnel. Where is the caller located? What do their surroundings look like? Could something about that location be an obstacle or even hazardous to first responders?

GeoComm would like to congratulate our Contract Manager, Shirley Simon, on her retirement. Thank you for over 20 years of service at GeoComm. We asked Shirley to reflect on her time here at GeoComm and these are her thoughts.

What is z-axis and how does it improve in public safety emergency response? Many Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs) have started to notice that raw z-axis information is now available to them, but what should be done with that information and how can it be made actionable?

The North Platte, Nebraska Police Department serves as the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) for Lincoln County and the City of Gothenburg in Dawson County, serving a population of over 38,000 people and receiving over 15,000 9-1-1 calls each year.

What is locally authoritative GIS data and why is it valuable in public safety emergency response? This is a question many people have and one Deb Rozeboom, GeoComm’s Product Manager for GIS Services, had the opportunity to present on this fall at the RapidSOS Ready22 Conference. Deb also overviewed GeoComm’s partnership with RapidSOS to support the locally authoritative GIS data being utilized by RapidSOS Premium customers. 

NG9-1-1 is a game changer for the 9-1-1 community because it utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to deliver every 9-1-1 call – mobile, VoIP, and landline alike – to 9-1-1 communication centers.

When answering a 9-1-1 call, access to accurate and up–to–date map data is essential because seconds count. Fortunately, achieving the necessary quality map data needed for 9-1-1 can happen with just a few steps.  Your steps involve assessing, improving, maintaining, and sharing your Geographic Information System (GIS) data to fulfill its mission critical role in current and future 9-1-1 systems. 

GeoComm would like to congratulate our Territory Sales Manager for the South-Central Region, Ron Helterbrand, on his retirement. Thank you for your 27 years of service in the public safety industry. We asked Ron to reflect on his time here at GeoComm and these are his thoughts.