Key Factors for Creating, Developing and Deploying GIS data for Indoor Maps

Every second counts when it comes to public safety emergency response.

And yet, building interiors have been a black hole of data for telecommunicators: It’s nearly impossible to pinpoint the exact location of a caller and there’s little visibility into the interior of the building, such as doors, stairways and exits. This lack of information threatens responders’ ability to move quickly and safely toward a situation.

In June 2021, the FCC instructed the three major U.S. mobile carriers to begin providing z-axis data to emergency service centers. While this is a step in the right direction, X, Y and Z data doesn’t provide a complete picture for indoor mapping scenarios. Telecommunicators accessing this location data are still faced with important questions, such as:

• How can first responders access that location?

• What’s the fastest and safest way to get there?

• Are there hazards in the vicinity, such as flammable materials or chemicals?

• Are there life-saving assets nearby, such as AEDs or fire extinguishers?

The benefits of combining 9-1-1 positioning with indoor maps

Public Safety Location Intelligence® answers the questions above by combining 9-1-1 call data with detailed, easy-to-read indoor maps that display:

• Building footprints with exterior entrances clearly defined

• Interior rooms identified by name/number, and color coded by type

• Locations of elevators, escalators, stairs and interior doors

• Relevant point locations, such as Automated External Defibrillator (AED), fire extinguishers, fire risers and security cameras

Key factors for gathering GIS indoor data

The more detailed the data and resources we receive from you, the more actionable we can make your indoor maps. CAD files are optimal, complemented with other resources such as aerial photographs and evacuation route maps. All of this information is converted into actionable GIS data.

Here’s an example of an effective and ineffective floor plan resource.

The first image is accurately squared up and detailed, which allows us to process it quickly and convert it into actionable GIS data.

The second image is ineffective for several reasons: The doors aren’t clearly defined and the building is skewed, so there may be scaling issues. This resource will take more time and manual work, and won’t give a map the level of detail that telecommunicators need.

As you can see in the “final” indoor map example above, the telecommunicator sees both the location of the call and the confidence level of the information. Rooms are clearly labeled and color coded, key points are symbolized, and the viewer can toggle between floors to view the surrounding environment.

Content with the right context

Indoor maps of key buildings improve situational awareness and reduce response times. An address point on a map with no structure information doesn’t provide helpful context to call-takers and first responders. GeoComm Indoor Maps provides the next level of precise Public Safety Locational Intelligence.