100,000

To Readers of this blog,

As blogs go, 100,000 hits is small potatoes. But, for this spot on the Internet, it's a big deal. A far off goal that seemed unimaginable when this site launched on June 23, 2011. The original intent was simple and remains unchanged to this day: create a way to tell the story about the rapid nature of change in geospatial and related technologies that have impact on the Emergencies Services Sector. The aforementioned technologies are moving from paper to digital, static to dynamic, hard-wired to mobile, simple to complex, situationual to analytic, and historic to real-time. It is indeed, a revolution in technology that will continue to have profound impact on us all, and in particular, the Emergencies Services Sector, in the years ahead.

Because that message is one of change - one impacting long established institutions and their "proven" ways of doing business - it is a tough one to deliver and often one that falls on deaf ears. For that reason, I would like to personally thank each of you who have tuned in since this blog's launch. There is a genuine need to close a knowledge gap that exists between two sectors critical to our national well being - the geospatial and the emergencies services communities. Your willingness to consider the issues, is the start of the solution.

With that, I wish you an enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend and again offer my most sincere thanks for your readership and participation.

Steve

San Francisco is Creating a Social Network for Disasters

The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (SFDEM) has recently taken the concept of using social networks to prepare for disasters to a whole new level. In late April, SFDEM announced its intentions to create SF72, a public outreach effort based on the concept that "connected communities" are more resilient communities. As such, SF72 is on schedule for a fall deployment of its enabling technology, a dedicated social network that will connect individuals with resources and services, to those who need those items in the first 72 hours after a disaster. More below:

San Francisco Is Building A Social Network For Emergencies Only

(BuzzFeed FWD, April 19, 2013)

SF72 Website

Comment: Great thought and kudos for SFDEM for this effort to get the public engaged in preparing for disasters in San Francisco.  Hopefully, part of the plan for community resilience includes a technical plan for SF72 resilience.

A Geospatial Thought About the Response in Moore, Oklahoma

By now we are all well aware of the tragic circumstances that nature bestowed on Moore, Oklahoma this past Monday, May 20, 2013. While reflecting on those circumstances, an anonymous individual left a comment on another post that I believe is serious food for thought. Indeed, so much so, I'm offering it as today's post. Given this is the first time I have ever highlighted a reader's comments this way, I hope you will take some time to truly consider the writer's point. In an age when we are all being seduced by the latest high-tech gadget - there are limits on the wisdom of that approach when it comes to disaster response. Here's the comment:

I will bet you that not one single responder in the AO of yesterday's tornado outbreak in OK used Google for anything. AT&T, Verizon, etc., all knocked out and even were they working, a large format paper map (hopefully with common ops grid) on the hood of a truck is what working first responders need/want most. Will the new Google ever be able to interface with that common ops grid/language for location (USNG/MGRS)? "Google is clearly in the lead when it comes to having command of "where" - for everything," except for addition of USNG to their interface. (Which would be so easy/no risk for them to implement.)

Enough said.

Photo credit: CNN 

DHS Webinars on Geospatial Technologies

In recent months, some of the most popular posts on this blog have been those featuring Power Point presentations which discuss geospatial and related technologies supporting the Emergency Services Sector (ESS). Sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), over the past six months these presentations have been augmented by a series of webinars. Now available at the FirstResponder.gov website, links to the event recordings are posted below:

• Maximizing Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) Tools and Features (March 27, 2013) 
• Accessing and Monitoring Weather Data to Aid Decision-Making during Hazardous Events (February 5, 2013) 
• Innovating with Social Media to Advance Homeland Security (December 20, 2012) 
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Special Events Management—A Case Study from the Democratic National Convention (November 12, 2012)

Comment: All the above webinars are available using the "Join Our Capacity Building Webinars!" button on upper right side bar of the FirstResponder.gov website home page. In the coming weeks, also look there for an event recorded on May 16, 2013: Tools and Technologies Supporting Hurricane Operations. Focused on GIS situational awareness tools, this presentation was given by Chris Penney (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) presenting on Hurrevac, Shane Hubbard (University of Iowa) presenting on HAZUS, and Richard Butgereit (Florida Division of Emergency Management). Sweet!

Camp Ripley, Minnesota - New Drone Facility

This past Friday, the Minnesota National Guard (MNNG) officially opened its state-of-the-art drone training facility at Camp Ripley, Minnesota. Although the MNNG has long been on the cutting edge of efforts to integrate drone capabilities into operations by the U.S. Armed Forces, as an emerging technology, those efforts were previously housed in "hand-me-down" facilities. Now, with this new $3.9 million building, the sprawling Camp Ripley and its large block of protected airspace will be one of the best drone training facilities in the nation. More below:

Minnesota National Guard Launches Its $3.9 Million Drone Facility 

(Check out the video)

(Star Tribune, May 17, 2013)

Camp Ripley Celebrates New Drone Base

(AM 1240 - WJON, May 17, 2013)

Full Size Picture Album on Imgur

Comment: As eluded to in the Star Tribune article, in the weeks leading up to the opening of the Camp Ripley facility, drones were a hot topic in the press, with the range of articles running from release of the world's smallest drone (insect size), to developments in the privacy battle. Ultimately, the use of this military developed technology by the general public - good or bad - will be framed the same way it has been for GPS. A reality driven entirely by the intentions of the end-user.

Lead photo: WJON

Follow-Me Friday: CARA, Button TrackR, ESS AVL, Sky Eye, and Nowhere to Run

"Lead, follow, or get the Hell out of the way," goes the saying. And since I'm on the stubborn side today and inclined to do neither the former, nor the latter, guess I'm stuck doing the "follow thing". From what I can tell, looks like that's a trend sweeping the planet. So follow along, as I follow a story line, about following...

Spies In the Kitchen: It has always freaked me out that potatoes have eyes. But, I've solved that problem by ensuring any member of that particular tuber family inhabiting my kitchen is locked away in a cupboard. Now, come to find out, I've got a bigger problem. Give the following story a once over, and you'll see what I mean:

The Fridge Has Eyes: CARA Gives Anything With a Camera Powers to See Faces, Age, Gender, More

(Fast Company, May 16, 2013)

"Honey, What Did You Do With My (Fill in the Blank)?"  OK, I follow where this story goes. But, I've got a question. Will this technology help me if I loose my marbles? Find out below:

New Coin-Sized Device and Smartphone App Helps Users Track and Find Their Lost Wallets, Keys, Phones, and More

(PRWeb, May 13, 2013)

Irony of Ironies. GPS tracking is increasingly becoming a cornerstone technology for "in the trenches" Emergency Services Sector (ESS) personnel. The technology has been deployed to track everything from firefighters in burning buildings, to not so nice folks out on parole. Turns out though, when GPS tracking gets bumped up a rung - there are some folks who are none too happy. And for good reason. Follow what I'm saying?

Police, Fire Unions Urge Limits on GPS in Emergency Vehicles

(The Columbus Dispatch, March 30, 2013)

From Chopper One - News at 11. Oh, goodie! Just what I've always wanted; yet another way to immortalize how truly cool I am by recording countless yottabytes of video that no one is ever going to watch because there is yottabytes of video. However, I've got to give the inventors of this drone the following pat on the back: Because the video is being recorded in the air (naturally) - it's pretty cool. Go for a fly-through below:

Your Very Own Drone, to Follow You Home

(C|NET, May 11, 2013)

Wigged Out.  Ah, shucks - looks like I will have to follow what Leslie Stahl of CBS has to say on 60 Minutes this weekend. Shock of shocks - face recognition is now good enough that there's nowhere to hide. You should probably follow me to the hills.

"Big Brother" is Big Business?

(CBS News, May 16, 2013)

Have a Great Weekend!

Lead photo: Fanpop