Can GIS Systems Save Time And Lives In Emergency Response?

[Scooter]

From today's WSCA Rumour Mill Roundup:

A GIS common operating picture could allow for mutual aid and better asset dispatch.

At an emergency response planning (ERP) meeting of first responders and practitioners last spring in Prince George, an emergency doctor surprised many in the room by saying it wasn’t necessarily having more oxygen on site or better trained first aid people, but better communication that could do the most to improve seriously inured workers’ chances on remote sites. That counter intuitive idea now is the underpinning to a BC SAFE Silviculture Program proposed ERP pilot to better link injured workers, available safety assets, and first responders using GIS tracking platforms. Also embedded in the concept is establishing a dedicated emergency channel as part of the ongoing harmonization of resource road radio frequencies across the province. The pilot is being proposed for the Prince George region and, if it seems feasible, will work alongside another plan under development through the BC Forest Safety Council to track fallers using a GIS system. It is evident that the technology is well advanced in these fields and independent communications ecosystems using GIS are growing across the province. The real challenge may be in committing and coordinating all the various actors across the industry and the health care and emergency management system.