Other Discussions:
- Purpose: Purpose is to identify GIS professionals and SAR professionals that are interested in the application of GIS and related technologies for search and rescue with particular application to wildland search and rescue. This site is intended to assist in the expansion of training opportunities in the use of GIS and related technologies for GIS professionals and SAR professionals.
- Background: Late 2012, GIS Corps issued a call for GIS professionals in California to volunteer in assisting the implementation of GIS for wildland search and rescue. From this initial call, GIS volunteers and SAR volunteers have met in several training sessions throughout the United States. GIS training has focused on the use of modified GUI's for responding to search and rescue incidents. In January 2014, the California Emergency Management Agency swore in a group of GIS volunteers for tasking to provide their services on incidents.
- Training: GIS modules developed to date for application of GIS to SAR are free. They sit on top of ESRI software which is available to not for profit SAR teams with a small annual license fee. Training in the application and use of these SAR modules is provided at no cost to those participating in workshops and training sessions. These training sessions typically cover not only the SAR modules but related technologies such as GPS, use of smart technologies, and capture of locations from pings picked up by cell phone providers.
- Discussions: Active discussions are underway on the effective implementation of GIS and related technologies to search and rescue. These include adoption of common symbology, file naming conventions, and map templates for search and rescue; effective use of web for off site support for incidents; evaluation and discussion of emerging technologies for SAR; deploying GIS professionals with SAR teams in response to incidents; assisting in the development of minimum essential data sets (MEDS) for response where the internet is not available.
