GIS / Mapping

What is GIS?

A geographic information system (GIS) integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information.

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GIS allows us to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts. GIS helps you answer questions and solve problems by looking at your data in a way that is quickly understood and easily shared.

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Starting from when a 9-1-1 call is placed, spatial intelligence improves response throughout the emergency call handling process.

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GIS is essential in 9-1-1 call routing to the proper Public Safety Answering Point, identifying the location of the emergency, ensuring public safety first responders get to

the right incident at the right time, and providing valuable incident situational awareness.

GIS centric Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) solutions help optimize the dispatch mission with:

• Identifying the closest available unit through vehicle and/or resource management and tracking

• Premise history and dispatcher situational awareness

• Mobile and in-vehicle mapping using remotely accessed data

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The MVRDA GIS Department recieves map files from Doña Ana County and the five incorporated municipalities within the County. Those files are then updated to add public safety specific layers. Those layers include fire hydrant locations, police patrol districts, fire department response districts, private roads, and common names for parks, schools, public buildings and many commercial addresses.

Once updated, the maps are pushed to the MVRDA computer aided dispatch systems to assist the call takers and dispatchers in locating where the emergency response is needed as well as which district units to send on a response. These same maps are available on the Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) computers inside law enforcement, fire, and EMS vehicles countywide. The maps assit the emergency responders in quickly locating the scene of the call and the best route to follow in responding to the emergency call.

GIS Data