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Current Technology Trends in Public Safety 1© 2008-2017 EagleView Technologies

An EagleView Report

Current Technology Trends in Public Safety


Table of Contents

Overview Who We Are Part One: Challenges in Public Safety

Mass Killings & Gun Violence

Workplace Fatalities

9-1-1 Response Times

Challenges: Conclusion

Part Two: Solutions for Public Safety

Computer-Aided Dispatch & NG9-1-1

Geographic Information Systems

Interior Maps & Models

Solutions: Conclusion

Conclusion


With high stakes, razor-thin margins for error, and high expectations from stakeholders, public safety has always been a

challenging field.

Pair that reality with tumultuous political and social landscapes and the need to keep up with an ever-changing mix of

technologies necessary to accomplish mission-critical objectives, and it’s no surprise that public safety and emergency

management consistently rank among the most complex fields of the 21st century.

As the landscape of public safety complexities evolves, so should the technology behind it.

From fusion centers and 9-1-1 public safety access points (PSAPs) to fire houses and police precincts, public safety has been

tasked with finding ways to better leverage the latest technology to reduce response times, enhance core capabilities,

improve personnel safety and accountability, and address the challenges of the Information Age.

The pressure is overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Current Technology Trends in Public Safety explores the

prevalent issues at hand and outlines three key solutions to help prepare for, respond to, and recover from today’s public

safety challenges. The public safety experts at EagleView compiled this report using information from scholarly publications,

industry and market research, coverage from mainstream news outlets, and reports from public sector agencies.

Overview

3© 2008-2016 EagleView Technologies

Current Technology Trends in Public Safety


EagleView is the leading provider of high-resolution Pictometry®

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With products ranging from oblique aerial imagery and GIS solutions

to three-dimensional building models and indoor mapping services,

EagleView serves public safety, assessment, GIS, infrastructure, insurance,

construction, solar, and facilities management markets throughout the

world. EagleView allows customers to view patented Pictometry imagery

through desktop applications, cloud-based solutions, and partner and

software integrations. For more information on the way EagleView is

transforming industries through imagery, go to www.eagleview.com.

Who We Are


An EagleView Report

Part 1: Challenges in Public Safety


Although day-to-day policing in North America may revolve around petty crime,

domestic disputes, and other minor incidents, it’s no secret that law enforcement

agencies have steadily increased their anti-terrorism efforts in recent years. Locations of

mass shootings and bombings often include “soft targets,” such as schools, universities,

churches, temples, restaurants, shopping malls, movie theaters, night clubs, post

offices, and high-profile planned events such as the Boston Marathon in 2013.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) traditionally defined a mass murder as a

number of murders — typically four or more — that occur during the same incident.1

These crimes target victims indiscriminately and do not typically involve domestic or

gang-related disputes. More recently, the federal government has defined a mass killing

(regardless of weapon) as just three or more people killed in a single incident.2

The nonprofit Gun Violence Archive, which compiles statistics on mass shootings in the

United States, defines mass shootings as any single event in which four or more people

(not including the shooter or shooters) are killed and/or injured.3

With this rise in domestic terror, especially “Lone Wolf” attacks, this challenge grows

more and more complex each year. These violent crimes threaten not only law

enforcement but all first response and emergency management personnel as well as

the hundreds of civilian victims targeted each year.

Mass Killings and Gun Violence

1. “Serial Murder: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives for Investigators” (report, Federal Bureau of Investigation), ed. Robert J. Morton, 7, https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/stats-services-publications-serial-murder-serial-mur-der-july-2008-pdf/.2. Christopher Ingraham, “What makes a ‘mass shooting’ in America,” WashingtonPost.com, December 3, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/12/03/what-makes-a-mass-shooting-in-america/.3. “Mass Shootings,” Gun Violence Archive, accessed November 2, 2016, http://www.shootingtracker.com/.

Mass shootings are defined as incidents with

or more fatalitiesfour


Using the broader definition given by Gun Violence

Archive’s Mass Shooting Tracker, the number of mass

shootings in recent years has risen dramatically.4

More Shootings Every Year

4. “Mass Shootings – 2016,” Gun Violence Archive, accessed November 2, 2016, http://www.gunviolencearchive.org/reports/mass-shooting/.

In 2016, the total number of mass shootings reached

385, according to the Mass Shooting Tracker. With

an average of 32.1 shootings per month in 2016, the

yearly total far surpassed the number of shootings that

took place in 2015.

Whether a mass shooting is defined by total fatalities

only or total deaths and injuries, one thing is clear: gun

violence is an increasing epidemic that is only becoming

more deadly and dangerous to the American public. Annual Total Monthly Average

MASS SHOOTING INCIDENTS BY YEAR

254

21.2

277

23.1

332

27.7

385

32.1

2011 2014 2015 2016


Deadly mass shootings involving four or more fatalities have also risen within

the last 50 years.

From August 1, 1966, through July 2016, the U.S. had seen at least 127

events in which four or more people were killed. Lone shooters perpetrated

all but three of these events; the remainder featured two shooters.

Not counting the shooters themselves, these incidents resulted in the deaths

of 874 people — about seven deaths per event on average. This data does

not include gang-related murders; shootings that resulted from other crimes,

such as robberies; and killings that only affected the shooter’s family.5

More Violent — and Deadly — Shootings

5. Bonnie Berkowitz, Lazaro Gamio, Denise Lu, Kevin Uhrmacher and Todd Lindeman, “The math of mass shootings,” WashingtonPost.com, last modified July 27, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/mass-shootings-in-america/.

127past years50

mass shootings with four or more fatalities have occurred in the


At least 43 mass shootings with three or more fatalities

have taken place since 2007. These deadly incidents

more than doubled from the decade prior (1997 to

2006) when 19 such shootings occurred. In fact, it’s

almost equal to the number of shootings spanning 20

years from 1987 to 2006, when 46 shootings with three

or more fatalities occurred.

The past decade alone has seen 375 fatalities, compared

to 249 total mass shooting fatalities from 1987 to 2006.

Injuries resulting from mass shootings between 2007

and 2016 totaled 364; between 1987 and 2006, there

were 280 people injured in mass shootings.

Mass Shootings on the Rise

6. Mark Follman, Gavin Aronsen and Deanna Pan, “US Mass Shootings, 1982-2016: Data From Mother Jones’ Investigation,” MotherJones.com, last modified July 17, 2016, http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/12/mass-shoot-ings-mother-jones-full-data/.

Shootings between 2007 and 2016 saw 739 total victims compared to 529 total victims between 1987 and 2006.6

In short, the most violent mass shootings in the U.S. have resulted in more deaths and injuries in the past 10 years than

they did in the 20 years prior to 2007. No doubt, the increase in mass shootings presents major challenges for public

safety departments across the United States, who now must plan for and respond to such emergencies.

MASS SHOOTINGS WITH 4 OR MORE FATALITIES BY DECADE

17

1987-1996

122157

1997-2006 2007-2016

19

127

279

123

250

43

375 364

739

Shootings Fatalities Injuries Total Victims


Local law enforcement officers are often the first to arrive to the scene. The Federal Bureau of

Investigation (FBI) reports that in 57% of active shooter incidents, police arrived at the scene while the

shooting was still in progress.7

A report analyzing 84 active shooter events between 2000 and 2010 looked at the scenarios officers can

face when they perform a “solo entry,” meaning that they apprehend an active shooter on their own.

Of all solo entries studied:

• 62% involved the officer shooting the attacker

• 13% resulted in the officer subduing the attacker by other means

• 25% led to the suspect committing suicide

In three-quarters (75%) of incidents, the officer takes some kind of direct action against the shooter.8

This kind of action, and the positive results associated with immediate action and rapid deployment,

has completely overhauled law enforcement active shooter training programs, thereby improving the

survivability of those involved. But these programs aren’t without risk: one-third of all officers performing

solo entries during active shooter events have been shot.9

Police Response to Active Shooter Events

7. Nigel Duara, “Police face questions about delayed response to Orlando shooting,” LATimes.com, last modified June 12, 2016, http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-orlando-nightclub-police-20160612-snap-story.html/.8. J. Pete Blair, “Analysis of 84 Active Shooter Incidents Since 2000,” The Police Response to Active Shooter Incidents (report, Police Executive Research Forum, 2014), 5, http://www.policeforum.org/active-shooter-report/.9. Ibid, 5.

of all officers apprehending shooters on

their own have been shot

1/3


Gun violence isn’t just on the rise — it’s become far deadlier in recent years. Law enforcement officers and other emergency responders

need as much intelligence about a scene before they enter to subdue an attacker and treat gunshot wound victims. The faster police

arrive, the more quickly they can stop shootings in progress and secure the area for other emergency personnel. This, in turn, allows

firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) to reach victims sooner and begin administering care to those injured.

In addition to civilian lives, however, this epidemic poses a threat to the emergency personnel who respond to crimes of violence.

Mass Shootings and Gun Violence Wrap-Up


Violent crimes and catastrophic disasters don’t only place members of the public at risk. Members of law enforcement, fire departments, and

emergency medical personnel who respond to these events face considerable danger.

Some prevailing workplace risks:

• Police officers represent the majority of job-related fatalities each year among public safety personnel. They are also most at risk for assault.

• Firefighters report the most injuries, nearly half of which occur on the scene.

• Emergency medical personnel have the lowest fatality rates, but the nature of their work makes them most susceptible to injuries and illnesses.

With these threats, public safety personnel need to arrive on the scene informed, so they know the locations of the assailants and can administer

quick and efficient care to the victims. Emergency responders also need to know the risks present in critical situations. From potential hiding places

for active shooters to the locations of hazardous and explosive materials, emergency personnel face numerous threats when entering a scene and

need all the intelligence about a location that dispatchers have at their disposal.

Workplace Fatalities and Injuries

Police officers represent the majority of job-related fatalities each year


Each year, at least 100 police officers in the United States will lose their lives in the line of duty, and 50,000 or more will be assaulted.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund reported 107 U.S. officer fatalities in 2013 — a 10-year low. Between 2004 and 2013, 151

members of law enforcement were killed on the job per year on average. In 2007, the number of fatalities peaked at 192. In that same timeframe,

according to statistics from the FBI, an average of 57,346 assaults took place each year, 15,375 of which resulted in injuries for the officer.10

In total, there are approximately 1.1 million law enforcement officers at the state and local levels in the United States. Using the above figures, this

means that roughly one in every 20 officers could face assault on the job each year.11

Risks in the Line of Duty

10. “Deaths, Assaults & Injuries Over the Past Decade (2003 – 2014),” National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Fund, last modified September 15, 2015, http://www.nleomf.org/facts/officer-fatalities-data/daifacts.html.11. Brian A. Reaves, “Census of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies, 2008” (report, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2011), 2, http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/csllea08.pdf.

Officer Fatalities

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Average

165 163 156

192

148125

161171

126107

151

OFFICER FATALITIES BY YEAR OFFICER ASSAULTS BY YEAR

Assaults

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Average

Assaults with Injuries

59,6

92

16,7

37

57,8

2016

,072

15,9

1659

,396

15,7

36

61,2

57

15,5

5461

,087

14,9

4857

,268

14,7

4456

,491

14,7

9855

,631

14,6

7853

,867

49,8

5114

,565

15,3

7557

,346


According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA),

there are currently more than 1.1 million career and volunteer

firefighters in the United States.12 Yet, like law enforcement

officers, firefighters face considerable hazards on the job.

The NFPA reports that in 2015, 68 on-duty firefighter deaths

occurred in the United States. Just over half (51%) of those

deaths were the result of cardiac arrest.13

The NFPA also found that in 2015, 68,085 U.S. firefighters

reported injuries, 29,130 of which occurred at the fireground,

or the scene of the fire. Slips, jumps, and falls affected 27.2%

of firefighters, as did strain and overexertion. Firefighter injuries

also resulted from exposure to chemicals, radiation, infectious

diseases, and fire products as well as extreme weather.

Firefighters are most likely to experience burns, smoke or gas

inhalation, respiratory distress, dislocated joints, fractured

bones, muscle sprains and strains, cuts, bruises, and thermal

stress. Heart attack and stroke are among the most serious

occupational hazards for firefighters.14

12. Hylton J. G. Haynes and Gary P. Stein, “U.S. Fire Department Profile,” National Fire Protection Association, last modified January 2016, http://www.nfpa.org/news-and-research/fire-statistics-and-reports/fire-statistics/the-fire-service/administration/us-fire-department-profile.13. Rita F. Fahy, Paul R. LeBlanc and Joseph L. Molis, “Firefighter Fatalities in the United States, National Fire Protection Association, last modified June 2016, http://www.nfpa.org/news-and-research/fire-statistics-and-reports/fire-statistics/the-fire-service/fatalities-and-injuries/firefighter-fatali-ties-in-the-united-states.14. Hylton J.G. Haynes and Joseph L. Molis, “U.S. Firefighter Injuries – 2015,” last modified October 2016, http://www.nfpa.org/news-and-research/fire-statistics-and-reports/fire-statistics/the-fire-service/fatalities-and-injuries/firefighter-injuries-in-the-united-states.

Fire Rescue Injuries and Fatalities

CAUSES OF FIREFIGHTER INJURIES BY PERCENT

Fall, jump, slip - 27.2%Over exertion, strain - 27.2%

Other - 16.4%

Struck by an object - 9%

Exposure to fire products - 8.2%Contact with an object - 7.4%

Exposure to chemicals or radiation - 2.6%

Extreme weather - 1.8%


As of 2011, an estimated 826,000 licensed and credentialed emergency medical

services professionals worked in the United States, including both paid and

volunteer workers. In addition to EMTs and paramedics, firefighters and hospital

nurses may also administer life-saving care at the scene of an accident.15

Due to the nature of their jobs, all EMS workers face are susceptible to injuries

and illnesses. EMS workers often treat patients with infectious diseases and handle

various hazardous chemical and bodily substances. They also frequently suffer from

back injuries and other strains caused by lifting patients and equipment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a total of 20,200 injuries

and illnesses among EMS workers in 2013.16 However, this figure is lower than in

previous years. Between 2008 and 2012, recorded injuries and illnesses averaged

24,060 per year.17

Although fatalities are lower among EMS workers than they are among law

enforcement and firefighters, the risk is still present. Statistics reported in the

Journal of Emergency Medical Services found that an average of 13 EMS worker

deaths per year occurred between 2003 and 2007.18

EMS Worker Injuries and Illnesses

15. “Emergency Medical Services Workers,” The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last modified May 12, 2016, https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ems/.16. “Emergency Medical Services Workers: Injury and Illness Data,” The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last modified August 17, 2015, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ems/data.html.17. Ibid.18. David Page, “Studies Show Dangers of Working in EMS,” Journal of Emergency Medical Services 36, no. 11 (2011), http://www.jems.com/articles/print/volume-36/issue-11/health-and-safety/studies-show-dangers-work-ing-ems.html.

EMS workers report

injuries & illnesses per year

20,000+


First responders face on-the-job threats that are wholly unique to their line of work. Members of law enforcement are most likely to be assaulted

or killed while on duty. Firefighters and EMS workers, meanwhile, are also susceptible to injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.

Public safety personnel need to know as much about an emergency beforehand, so they can anticipate threats and take necessary precautions.

Knowing the potential location of a sniper, a building layout in the midst of a bomb threat, or the safest route to injured civilians can improve

safety for all men and women who put their lives on the line. Greater security for public safety personnel increases their ability to protect civilian

lives and administer life-saving treatment in a timely manner.

Workplace Fatalities and Injuries Wrap-Up


In public safety, a “total response time” spans from the time of a 9-1-1 call all the way to

the scene of an emergency.19

For police, the national average for response times hovers around 11 minutes.20 Some

jurisdictions will set their own standards, as factors such as population density, geography,

9-1-1 dispatch center resources, and staffing can impact response times. Emergency

calls originating from mobile phones also present challenges for dispatchers, as current

technologies cannot pinpoint callers’ precise locations inside multistory buildings.

Although 9-1-1 call centers are the first to respond to emergencies, they can only deploy

public safety personnel once they have sufficient information about an incident.

Response times for 9-1-1 calls nationwide can range anywhere from under five minutes

to several hours for a single emergency. New York City has some of the shortest response

times for priority calls in the nation among large cities at just four-and-a-half minutes

on average; in Detroit, Michigan, however, emergency calls at one point averaged a

58-minute wait time.21

While response times can never tell the whole story about an incident, public pressure

is mounting on public safety personnel to be able to respond to emergencies quickly. In

critical situations, especially, emergency workers need to thwart active threats and begin

treating injured victims in as little time as possible.

9-1-1 Response Times

19. Angela Borland, “The Effect of Mapping Technology on Fire-Based EMS Response Times in Santa Clara County” (master’s thesis, San Jose State University, 2016), 26-27, http://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_projects/481.20. G.R., “In New Orleans, call 911 and wait for an hour,” Economist.com, last modified December 9, 2015, http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2015/12/police-response-times.21. Ibid.

For police, the national average for response times hovers around

11 minutes


The last publicly available nationwide report from the United States

Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) on police response times is from 2008.

Approximately 28.3% of violent crimes see a police response within five

minutes. In total, 92% of all violent crime calls receive a police response

within one hour.

Four out of five (80.8%) reported property crimes receive a response

within an hour. Police are more likely to respond fewer than five

minutes after a violent crime than they are after a theft incident (28.3%

vs. 12.8%, respectively). The vast majority of response times fall in

between 11 minutes and one hour; 33.5% of such responses occur

following a violent crime, and 47.8% happen after a property crime.22

The average criminal incident only lasts 90 seconds23, so officers may

not arrive in time to stop certain events. However, as noted on page

10, more than half of officers arrive during an active shooting event

in order to stop the perpetrator. While it isn’t always possible for law

enforcement to be there when a crime is taking place, reducing 9-1-1

response times overall could be the difference between life and death

for victims of violent crimes.

Nationwide Statistics for Law Enforcement Response Times

22. “Personal and property crimes, 2008: Percent distribution of incidents where police came to the victim, by type of crime and police response time,” Criminal Victimization In The United States - Statistical Tables Index, U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, last modified May 12, 2011, http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/html/cvus/response_time_to_victim584.cfm.23. Min-Seok Pang and Paul A. Pavlou, “On Information Technology and the Safety of Police Officers” (research paper, Fox School of Business, 2016), 12, http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2746194.

POLICE RESPONSE TIMES

Violent Crimes AverageProperty Crimes

Within 5

minutes

6 to 10 m

inutes11 m

inutes to 1 hour

Within

1 dayLonger

than 1 dayU

nknown

28.3%

12.8%

20.55%

30.3%

20.2%

25.25%

33.5%

47.8%

40.65%

2.5%

12.6%

7.55%

0.4%

1.9%

1.15%

5%

4.7%

4.85%


The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) outlines the ideal timeframe for fire departments to respond to at least 90% of all emergencies

in its NFPA 1710: Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special

Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments. The standard gives 80 seconds to turnout, four minutes for the arrival of the first engine

company, and eight minutes for the full first-alarm assignment.24

But despite the NFPA’s stringent standards, many fire departments are unable to mobilize and travel to the scene in that time. A report from the

Fire Protection Research Foundation, part of the NFPA, found that firefighters completed turnout in 80 seconds or under for just 60% of fire calls.

At night, the percentage fell even further: only 21% could complete turnout in 80 or fewer seconds for emergencies in the evening.25

Beyond the standards set by the NFPA, individual departments can also set their own targets for response based on their region’s layout,

population, and available resources. For instance, the response times for fire departments in Santa Clara County, California, vary depending upon

the location of the incident and type of assistance it requires. Times range from about eight to 13 minutes in urban response zones and from

about 10 to 15 minutes in suburban response zones. In rural or “wilderness” areas, fire departments should reach the scene in fewer than 12

minutes for higher priority emergencies and under 22 minutes for less urgent incidents.26

24. Borland, “The Effect of Mapping Technology on Fire-Based EMS Response Times in Santa Clara County,” 18.25. Robert Upson and Kathy Notarianni, “Quantitative Evaluation of Fire and EMS Mobilization Times” (report, Fire Protection Research Foundation, 2010), 1-2, http://www.nfpa.org/news-and-research/fire-statistics-and-re-ports/research-reports/for-emergency-responders/fireground-operations/quantitative-evaluation-of-fire-and-ems-mobilization-times. 26. Borland, “The Effect of Mapping Technology on Fire-Based EMS Response Times in Santa Clara County,” 15-17.

Fire Department Response Times

For at least

of emergency responses, firefighters should only take to turnout90% 80 seconds


In the 1950s, Dr. R Adams Cowley developed the concept of the “Golden Hour.” According to this theory, a trauma patient has the

best chance of survival if cared for within 60 minutes of a critical injury.

The Golden Hour has since evolved into another theory in trauma care — the “Platinum Ten.” This gives EMS providers just 10 minutes

to arrive on the scene, assess the patient, administer treatment at the scene, and begin transporting the patient to the hospital.

Population density, size of the region, hospital locations, and available specialty resources can all factor into response times. For

example, the Rural/Metro ambulance service for Santa Clara County, California, is required to respond to EMS requests in just under 13

minutes of dispatch for at least 92% of the calls received.27 Other jurisdictions, however, may set their own standards.

Emergency Medical Services Response Times

27. Borland, “The Effect of Mapping Technology on Fire-Based EMS Response Times in Santa Clara County,” 14.

10 minutesEMS providers have justto arrive on the scene, assess the patient, administer treatment at the scene, and begin transporting the patient to the hospital


Response times can’t tell the whole story, but they can provide a gauge for public safety to ensure that 9-1-1 calls are answered as soon as

possible. The sooner that emergency responders can reach a scene, the faster injured victims can receive life-saving treatments. Arriving on

the scene even a minute sooner could stop an active shooting event, decrease overall damage to a burning building, or even save a life.

9-1-1 Response Times Wrap-Up

Arriving on the scene even a minute sooner could stop an active shooting event, decrease overall damage to a burning building, or even save a life


Incidents of violent crimes, domestic terror acts, and other emergencies present new challenges for public safety each year, and those events

show no signs of slowing down. As these violent crimes increase, they impact not only civilian victims but the officers, firefighters, and

emergency medical professionals who respond to such events.

Such life-threatening emergencies highlight the most crucial needs of public safety personnel. Before first responders arrive on the scene, 9-1-1

dispatchers must be able to give them information about a location and, if possible, help them navigate the inside of a building.

For instance, if officers know the locations of shooting suspects, explosive devices, and hazardous chemicals during an emergency, the number

of lives lost each year to violent crimes and other catastrophic events could significantly decrease. Mapping technology for 9-1-1 dispatchers

could help firefighters more easily locate a fire hydrant on a busy urban street or more efficiently lead paramedics to an injured person in a

large public building.

Reduced response times and greater location intelligence combined are vital when it comes to saving civilian lives and keeping

emergency response teams safe on the job.

The solutions featured in Part 2 of this report aren’t only designed to keep civilians and emergency personnel safe; they are also instrumental in

planning for — and preventing — such tragedies from occurring.

Challenges: Conclusion

Reduced response times and greater location intelligence are vital when it comes to saving civilian lives and keeping emergency response teams safe


An EagleView Report

Part 2: Solutions for Public Safety


From their inception in the early 1970s, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems have

changed the face of public safety.

Before call takers used CAD to pinpoint caller locations and dispatch emergency

personnel, it could take as long as 120 to 150 seconds to collect enough information

to dispatch emergency personnel. A dispatcher using a modern CAD system today,

however, can collect information in as little as 30 to 45 seconds.28

Those seconds can mean life or death for the people on the other end of that call.

Although the “Platinum Ten” calls for EMS response in 10 or fewer minutes, an

emergency can turn fatal even sooner:

• Someone experiencing cardiac arrest can lose brain function in six minutes or less.

• A fire flashover can destroy an entire room in under five minutes.29

The advanced capabilities of Next Generation 9-1-1 systems (abbreviated to NG9-

1-1) allow for better location accuracy, more efficient direction to the scene of an

emergency, and better location intelligence to prepare for on-scene hazards.

Computer-Aided Dispatch & NG9-1-1

28. Morgan, “Computer aided dispatch technology: A study of the evolution and expectations of CAD and a comparative survey of CAD in the U. S. Fire Service and the Clark County Fire Department,” 9. 29. Ibid.

30 - 45 seconds

A dispatcher using a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system can collect information in as little as


The origins of computer-aided dispatch technology date back to 1972, when the Los Angeles Police Department worked with the Jet Propulsion

Laboratory to develop the first known CAD system to include Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) in vehicles. They named their system the Emergency

Command and Control Communications System. Larger fire departments began using CAD systems in the early 1980s.30

Since the technology was so new and sophisticated for its time, the costs associated with the systems were prohibitive for all but the largest cities in

the United States. The Fire Department of New York was among the early adopters of CAD systems in 1980. At the time, their CAD system cost $15

million and connected 14 computers, 12 microcomputers, and 500 terminals – and it only covered one of the five boroughs.31

Today, virtually all 9-1-1 centers across the United States have modern CAD systems. Newer systems are equipped with a number of programs that

help identify callers from both landlines and cellular phones to pinpoint the location of the emergency. These systems also provide the dispatcher

and responders with any pertinent information about the incident or scene.

Uniformity between CAD systems is important when it comes to response times, in particular, especially among departments in the same county or

region.32 As a result, more regions are upgrading their dispatch systems to better communicate between jurisdictions and departments.

The most advanced CAD systems will use geographic information system (GIS) data to find the shortest and quickest routes for emergency vehicles

to the location of the incident. CAD systems can record calls for service and export them to a record or resource management system (RMS) for

further case management and analysis.33

The History of CAD

30. Kenneth E. Morgan, “Computer aided dispatch technology: A study of the evolution and expectations of CAD and a comparative survey of CAD in the U. S. Fire Service and the Clark County Fire Department” (master’s thesis, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2003), 8, http://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/573/.31. Ibid, 13-14.32. Borland, “The Effect of Mapping Technology on Fire-Based EMS Response Times in Santa Clara County,” 55.33. “Geospatial Considerations for Emergency Call-Taking, Computer-Aided Dispatch, and Record Management Systems” (white paper, Esri, 2016), 4-5, http://www.esri.com/library/whitepapers/pdfs/geospatial-considerations-for-emergency-call-taking.pdf.


Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) systems receive information from

telephone and cellular providers to determine the phone number, name,

and address of the caller as well as other essential data. However,

since not all areas have adopted NG9-1-1 standardized technologies,

dispatchers using older systems still have to verify the caller’s name and

location, along with other information about the incident, verbally.

NG9-1-1-capable Public Safety Access Points (PSAPs) can receive

emergency calls from all networked devices and automatically receive the

10-digit number associated with the caller’s device. Some 9-1-1 centers

can receive text messages, images, video, and other forms of data to

gather more information about a particular emergency.

Oftentimes, traditional CAD systems are incompatible across jurisdictions

and cannot benefit from truly interoperable data. NG9-1-1 solutions and

other updates, however, offer interoperability to let police, fire, and EMS

departments work from a common set of resources and transition calls

seamlessly between PSAPs.34

Next Generation 9-1-1 Solutions

34. “Geospatial Considerations for Emergency Call-Taking, Computer-Aided Dispatch, and Record Management Systems” 4-5.

NG9-1-1 systems determine the caller’s phone number, name,

address, & more


Through integration with other datasets and standardized interfaces, NG9-1-1 systems can give first responders comprehensive information on:

• The owners, occupants, and contents of a building: Firefighters may need to know information on potential occupants/evacuees or what

hazardous materials may be on the premises before they arrive on the scene.

• Building imagery: Aerial images of a building can help identify access points and proximity to other buildings in the area. Interior maps and

imagery, meanwhile, can direct personnel to specific rooms in large or multi-tenant buildings. In addition to using such images to respond to

emergencies, these images are useful in planning for and mitigating emergencies.

• Multimedia: Dispatchers and first responders can send 9-1-1 recordings, video clips, and other media through the CAD system and support

incident operations included in future operational periods.

Together, all of this information can help first responders stay safe at the scene of an incident, while informing and supporting larger operations

resource or emergency management coordination needs.35

Additional NG9-1-1 Capabilities

35. Jim Peterson, “Computer-Aided Dispatch: Why ‘Good Enough’ Isn’t Good Enough,” Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment, March 14, 2016, http://www.fireapparatusmagazine.com/articles/print/volume-21/issue-3/features/computer-aided-dispatch-why-good-enough-isn-t-good-enough.html.

Additional information can help first responders stay safe at the scene of an incident


In an effort to improve response times, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ordered wireless carriers to provide 9-1-1 call

centers with more accurate location information for calls that originate from mobile phones. The regulations, adopted in January 2015, apply

especially to multistory buildings and larger single-story buildings, with the focus moving from an ability to provide a caller’s street address, to

latitude/longitude coordinates and actual geolocation.

Due to a variety of factors, most current dispatch technology cannot pinpoint exact unit numbers or locations within multistory or multiunit

buildings. The FCC’s ruling asks wireless carriers to improve both horizontal and vertical location accuracy for an increasing percentage of wireless

9-1-1 calls within the next six to eight years.36

The ruling could have a monumental impact on public safety. The FCC noted in its report that response times improved by just a single minute

would save approximately 10,120 lives annually.37

Future Developments in Dispatch Technology

36. U.S. Federal Communications Commission, Wireless E911 Location Accuracy Requirements – Fourth Report and Order, by Tom Wheeler, et al., Washington, D.C.: PS Docket No. 07-114 (3-4, Federal Communications Commission, January 29, 2015), https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-9A1.pdf (accessed September 21, 2016).37. Ibid, 59.

Response times improved by just a single minute would save approximatley

10,120 lives annually


As public safety personnel respond to increasingly complex events, they need technology

that supports their efforts in the most critical moments. Today’s CAD and NG9-1-1 systems

facilitate information sharing between departments and jurisdictions and include advanced

capabilities that give call-takers and dispatchers comprehensive information about an

incident before emergency responders arrive on-scene.

However, these systems are not without their limitations. Public Safety Access Points still

encounter difficulties triangulating calls from mobile devices and cannot integrate GIS

imagery or multimedia reliably; they will need to meet new FCC standards in the coming

years to allow responders safe and efficient access to emergency scenes.

Computer-Aided Dispatch & NG9-1-1 Wrap-Up

34. Morgan, “Computer aided dispatch technology: A study of the evolution and expectations of CAD and a comparative survey of CAD in the U. S. Fire Service and the Clark County Fire Department,” 9. 35. Ibid.


Mapping technology not only gets emergency vehicles from Point A to Point B, but it is also vital for public safety officials

who want to establish emergency protocols before an incident occurs.

Geographic information systems (GIS) can combine layers of disparate datasets into a computerized map that gives users

a fuller understanding of an area. GIS incorporates location data, aerial imagery, land features, building information,

topography, and more. Any collection of data plotted on a map is GIS.

Police, fire, emergency management, public works, planning, engineering, agriculture, and other government

departments all benefit from enterprise GIS and interdepartmental or multijurisdictional GIS exchange.

Geographic Information Systems


GIS has a number of uses and can give emergency responders information

on residential and commercial properties in a region. Agencies may

use roadmaps with parcel overlays and other GIS layers to view crime

patterns in a city, analyze environmental damage after a disaster, or

map emergency routes. This technology provides fire departments with

information about fire hydrant locations and can inform SWAT teams on

the number of entrances to a building. GIS utilizes numerous imagery and

data solutions and typically integrates into the CAD system’s software to

bring this information to call-takers, dispatchers, and other users.

Although paper maps might be available to dispatchers and first

responders, the information they contain could be outdated or missing

critical elements. The complex threats, hazards, and challenges first

responders and incident management personnel face require other

mapping technologies to pre-plan for events and incidents, respond

appropriately, inform mitigation activities, and enable efficient recovery.38

By interacting with available GIS, emergency responders can reach the

scene of an incident without getting stuck in traffic, waiting at railroad

crossings, or encountering other obstacles. Most importantly, this data

updates continuously and can provide up-to-the-minute updates vital to

an effective response.

GIS for Public Safety

38. Borland, “The Effect of Mapping Technology on Fire-Based EMS Response Times in Santa Clara County,” 55.


Aerial images provide crucial GIS data and a real-world perspective that simple street maps often lack. These images may be photographed by a

manned aircraft, by an Unmanned Aerial System (or drone), or by satellite.

Orthogonal images, also referred to as “ortho” or nadir images, are aerial images taken from directly above an area to give a top-down view.

They can align with map grids and other GIS data to give information about particular locations. High-resolution orthogonal imagery captured by

manned aircraft can show details that satellites miss and stitch images together in a seamless format that reduces feature lean and atmospheric

degradation for a clear view of a location.

Ortho images are beneficial for dispatchers because they allow them to plan a route to an emergency, get a clear view of potential obstructions or

hazards, and provide a “birds’-eye” pre-arrival assessment to emergency response and incident management personnel.

Aerial Imagery


Although ortho images are a vital part of a CAD system’s GIS imagery

and integrations, they don’t tell the full story about building features.

Oblique images represent aerial imagery captured at a 40- to

45-degree angle from all four cardinal directions (north, south, east,

and west) to allow for a 360-degree view of individual structures,

parcels, and neighborhoods. These images, typically captured by

manned aircraft at low altitudes, give public safety professionals a

more realistic view of a building.

The oblique perspective can show a building’s height, number of

stories, and available points of entry, among other vital details left out

by other aerial imagery options. For example, police officers entering

a building to subdue a shooter or EMS personnel responding to a

medical emergency need to find the best ingress/egress points quickly,

and this information may be unavailable in a top-down view.

Oblique images fill in these gaps. Working in conjunction with ortho

images and GIS information, this imagery ensures that public safety

can easily locate a destination and get the details they need, thereby

reducing overall response times and fostering improved situational

awareness in an emergency.

An Additional Perspective


Emergency response

Many jurisdictions use street-level imagery to see details of a building up close, but such

resources only allow them to view what is captured from public roadways. In an event

where emergency responders must navigate a large rural property, a college campus, or

an apartment complex, street-view images may lack the desired details for the job. With

comprehensive GIS data and aerial imagery, however, dispatchers can better direct first

responders through difficult-to-navigate locations, while responders utilize these images

for more granular information that assist their initial responsibilities on-scene.

Crime mapping and analytics

In addition to responding to incidents reactively, public safety personnel can use

analytics and mapping technologies to proactively identify hotspots for crime, fire and

incident reports, traffic collisions, or other events. With this data, police can create

visual representations of past crime occurrences, gang behavior, or weapons and drug

trades; fire departments can better understand location and complainant history; and

other partners – such as the departments of transportation (DOT) and public works

(DPW) – can better understand behaviors and trends in an area.

Future integrations with artificial intelligence and machine learning provide

opportunities for predictive policing, proactive fire protection, risk-based community

education, and other unique solutions to both local and regional problems.

How Public Safety Personnel Use GIS


A CAD or NG9-1-1 system is incomplete without comprehensive location intelligence. Geographic information systems support public safety in

emergency response, emergency planning, crime analysis, and other responsibilities. GIS data and imagery integrate into existing public safety

software, so the information that dispatchers, law enforcement, and other personnel need fits seamlessly into a daily workflow.

High-resolution aerial imagery gives public safety professionals instant access to a location even before they’re on the scene. By knowing

potential access points, hazards, and other information about a structure, officers responding to violent crimes can safely mitigate threats and

hazards and reach victims faster.

By using GIS to respond to events, analyze hot spots for crime, or develop disaster response protocols, public safety officials can better serve

their communities and make informed decisions.

Geographic Information Systems Wrap-Up

By using GIS to respond to events, public safety officials can better serve their communities


Street maps and aerial images aren’t the only vital resources integrating with CAD systems and mobile data terminals

these days. As buildings and campuses grow more complex, indoor mapping and imagery are emerging as necessities

in the field of public safety; indoor, 360-degree imagery provides critical intelligence where other tools fall short.

Interior building maps can give public safety professionals a detailed view of a building and offer a more lifelike

rendition of a property than blueprints and simple two-dimensional maps can display. This data can aid in all phases

of emergency response and management, from pre-planning to evacuation and crisis response.

Interior Maps and Models

360-degree imagery for interior building maps can give public safety professionals a more lifelike view of a building


The creation of a navigable, three-dimensional interior

model requires the use of photogrammetry, which combines

photography with remote sensing and other technologies.

Indoor maps combine photography with remote sensing in

the form of LiDAR, which uses laser light in the near infrared

spectrum to measure the distance between a sensor and

another object. The data collected from LiDAR scanning,

known as a point cloud, helps construct a three-dimensional

model of a building’s interior.

Panoramic, 360-degree photographs overlay the basic 3D

model to make it appear true to life and let users view and

navigate through a room from any angle.

How Interior Maps Are Made


Just as a geographic information system allows users to add notes, layers, and other information to maps,

interior mapping technology has similar capabilities. Users can perform tasks including but not limited to:

• Displaying GIS layers, such as hydrant and utility sources, site notes, photos, and other data

• Searching for locations and resources within a building

• Labeling building features, rooms, and resources

• Calculating distance and height measurements inside and outside the building

Uses for Interior Mapping


• Emergency managers and public safety officials can use indoor maps and models to plan for potential crisis scenarios,

conduct trainings for first responders, and develop emergency evacuation plans and response tactics.

• During an emergency, dispatchers can use interior maps to help first responders navigate a scene. Having imagery of

a school or public building, for instance, can help officers respond to an active shooter incident.

• Firefighters, SWAT teams, and other emergency responders can utilize such maps to understand a building’s floor

plan, identify hazardous materials and utility control points, and consult with facilities managers prior to entry.

• In 9-1-1 call centers, dispatchers can pinpoint incident locations in multitenant residential or commercial buildings,

such as offices or apartment complexes, or in large government buildings and schools.

• Once a scene is safe to enter, dispatchers can direct EMS personnel to civilians in need of medical attention.

• Firefighters and other first responders can see the locations of hazardous materials (e.g. a chemistry lab in a school or

storage locations for chemicals used for cleaning).

Example Use Cases for Interior Maps


Orthogonal, oblique, and street-level imagery, along with LiDAR data, contribute to the imagery used in three-

dimensional city models. City planners commonly turn to 3D modeling to determine where new construction might

take place, but 3D models can also play an integral role in emergency preparedness.

Working together with interior maps, three-dimensional city or campus models can give public safety personnel the

view inside and outside of a building. This covers all bases should an incident escalate inside or outside of a location.

Three-Dimensional City Models


• Public safety professionals may use this imagery to determine surrounding exposures or hydrant locations near a particular address, and the

models can assist with pre-planning ahead of fires and other incidents.

• Emergency planners and city managers can use such models to plan for high-profile events; for instance, they may need to allocate public safety

resources for a sporting event or visit from a world leader.

• More advanced 3D models may superimpose aerial imagery onto geographic features as well as geo-reference the 3D models to actual latitude

and longitude coordinates. This gives first responders information about a building’s height, number of stories, and access points.

• Public safety personnel can also use the building information to measure distances, such as a ballistics trajectory in a shooting incident.

Example Use Cases for 3D Models

Public safety professionals may use this imagery to determine surrounding exposures or hydrant locations near a particular address


When an emergency takes place or disaster strikes, public

safety personnel need to know more than how to reach the

scene. While comprehensive GIS data and imagery are vital

in public safety, knowing how to navigate large buildings is

another key component of emergency response.

Interior building imagery and data can help emergency

personnel mitigate threats, seek out injured civilians, or handle

other emergencies. Public safety professionals can add GIS

layers and notations to these maps to denote the presence of

hazardous materials, emergency supplies, entry points, and

other building features and resources.

Finally, managing high-profile events and allocating public

safety resources is possible right from a desktop or mobile

device through the combined use of three-dimensional

models, maps, and interior building imagery.

Interior Maps and Models Wrap-Up

When an emergency takes place or disaster strikes, public

safety personnel need to know what stands between

them and the outcome


Today’s technology is providing answers to some of the most difficult problems that public safety

professionals encounter. With the right imagery and data, first responders and emergency management

personnel can improve safety for everyone involved in an incident.

The technology response personnel employ needs to evolve along with the hazards they face.

Aerial imagery needs to offer more than a top-down view. Oblique images, taken from about a

45-degree angle, capture all sides of a building and allow users to measure heights and distances, as

well as see critical access points. Interior building maps and three-dimensional models give public safety

access to schools, government facilities, and other properties before an incident can occur. The imagery

and data found in these three-dimensional, comprehensive solutions give dispatchers crucial details, so

officers apprehending active shooters and medical personnel attending to victims can stay safe.

Improvements in computer-aided dispatch systems allow for increased capabilities both online and

offline. With government regulations pertaining to mobile phone triangulation putting pressure on

jurisdictions, resources like Next Generation 9-1-1, interior mapping technology, and oblique aerial

photography can lead to more precise call location in an emergency. Because integrations for NG9-1-1

can include aerial imagery, 3D city models, interior building maps, dispatchers and first responders can

find locations and analyze information when timing is critical.

Solutions: Conclusion


Public safety organizations require solutions that will give their personnel all the information they need to reach emergencies more efficiently,

handle critical situations, communicate with partners, and promote safety among stakeholders.

Law enforcement, fire rescue, and emergency medical services officials should consider the possibilities new technologies bring in order to better

serve and protect the public. These solutions include:

• Orthogonal and oblique aerial imagery that gives public safety professionals a clear look at a location before, during, or after an emergency or

large-scale disaster

• Interior building maps and three-dimensional models that allow users to have a comprehensive and realistic view of a property

• CAD and NG9-1-1 systems that incorporate aerial imagery and GIS data, as well as interior maps to better locate civilians in need during a crisis

GIS not only gives public safety a clear route to a traffic accident but also allows emergency personnel to analyze traffic patterns, map criminal

incidents, and obtain comprehensive building data before arriving on scene. While public safety agencies aim to reach civilians in a timely manner,

they also need to make informed decisions about every incident and ensure the safety of everyone involved.

With a combination of these technologies, public safety personnel have the resources needed to plan for and respond to emergencies and better

serve their communities.

Conclusion


An EagleView Report

To learn more about how interior mapping and other public safety

solutions can be integrated together to best serve your

organization or jurisdiction, visit www.eagleview.com.

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