GIS Scalability for Public Safety Personnel

Wildland Fire
GIS technology supports all aspects of the wildland fire mission.
GIS Solutions for Wildland Fire Suppression
ESRI’s open, scalable architecture supports small, midsized, and
large agencies. Four distinct user groups have been identified that
benefit from GIS during a wildland fire incident:

First Responders
First responders, crew bosses, strike team leaders, and helitack
personnel often rely on spatial information, as well as their
knowledge of fire behavior, to predict fire spread and appropriate About ESRI Our Focus Contact ESRI
suppression tactics. GIS supports the need to assess the situation
and determine actions that ensure safety of personnel and For four decades, ESRI has been At ESRI, we focus on promoting 1-800-GIS-XPRT (1-800-447-9778)
effective deployment. helping people make better the value of GIS and its applications Phone: 909-793-2853
decisions through management and throughout the world and pay close Fax: 909-793-5953
analysis of geographic information. attention to our users’ needs. Our info@esri.com
Our culturally diverse staff work software development and services www.esri.com
with our business partners and respond to our customers with
Offices worldwide
hundreds of thousands of people products that are easy to use, flexible,
www.esri.com/locations
who use GIS to make a difference and integrated. Our technology is
Staff Officers
in our world. multidisciplinary, productive, and
Fire management staff officers and agency administrators maintain valuable to our users.
situational awareness through a GIS-enabled common operating A full-service GIS company, ESRI
picture. The common operating picture offers a near real-time view offers support for implementing We have a strong commitment to
of events including GIS technology from the desktop educating our customers through

Chief Officers
GIS provides command staff members with the intelligence they
need to develop cost-effective incident objectives based on land
management goals and values at risk. GIS also enables incident
commanders to quickly gain an understanding of events on the
ground and potential impacts to life, property, and resources.
They can better track resources, assess changing fire behavior, and
measure progress toward meeting established objectives.
• Location and status of incidents throughout the jurisdiction to enterprise-wide servers, online ESRI’s various training programs. ESRI
services, and mobile devices. is a socially conscious business and
• Location of personnel and apparatus
GIS solutions are flexible and invests heavily in issues regarding
• Current weather conditions customizable to meet the needs of education, conservation, sustainable
• Planned incidents and events in adjoining jurisdictions all our users. development, and humanitarian affairs.
Adding to the power of the common operating picture is mobile
GIS capability. Using ArcGIS® Server, personnel can access and view
the common operation from any Web-enabled computing device
as well as update information from the field.
GIS Analysts
GIS analysts are trained personnel who use ArcGIS software
routinely to support planning efforts and create maps to support
incident operations. Incident management teams assign fire
GIS specialists who provide critical support for wildland fire
management operations. These wildfire professionals use GIS to
model fire behavior, analyze fire effects, produce maps to support
the incident action plan, and support damage assessment and
recovery.

ESRI
380 New York Street
Learn more about GIS for wildland fire suppression at Redlands, California
92373-8100 USA
www.esri.com/publicsafety.
Copyright © 2009 ESRI. All rights reserved. ESRI, the ESRI globe logo, ArcGIS, ArcMap, ArcInfo, ArcToolbox, 3D Analyst, ArcView, StreetMap, @esri.com, and www.esri.com are trademarks,
registered trademarks, or service marks of ESRI in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products mentioned herein may be
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.

116159
XXX 7.5M 6/09tk Printed in USA
Applying GIS Technology to Wildland Fire Fire Decision Support Tools
Having the Right Information when You Need It Most Increasing Situational Awareness and Providing Firefighter Safety

When it comes to wildfire protection Response Recovery

local, state, and federal agencies
Successful response starts with a map. Today, first GIS enables fire personnel to conduct
must be able to respond at a
responders have access to intelligent maps—maps rapid and accurate damage assessment
moment’s notice. Protecting life,
built using databases and powerful modeling and rehabilitation requirements after
property, and natural resources
capabilities. GIS provides first responders with an emergency. Wildfire staff members
requires comprehensive planning,
detailed information when and where they need it use GIS integration platforms for the
mitigation, coordination, response,
for a faster and safer response. collection, analysis, and display of
and recovery. Agencies must
various types of postincident data. GIS
continually improve service levels For example, with little technical skill required from
and GPS-enabled laptops and PDAs
without increasing budgets. fire personnel, a GIS application on a dispatcher’s
can be used to collect accurate damage
console, vehicle-mounted computer, or handheld
ESRI and its public safety partners information from the field. This data is
PDA will provide detailed information to answer
understand the unique challenges integrated into a central GIS database
questions such as the following:
you face—from simple fire for comprehensive analysis and display.
suppression to complex, large- • Where is the fire located?
scale incident response involving • What is the best way to access the fire?
numerous agencies. ESRI’s
• What is the terrain and fuel type?
geographic information system
(GIS) platform is designed to meet • Where are the evacuation routes?
the needs of the wildfire protection • What are the hazards to responding units?
mission. It gives you the right tools ArcGIS Explorer illustrates
• What are the values at risk? information collected in the field
to make accurate decisions under
• Whose jurisdiction is the incident within? identifying damaged structures
any conditions. ArcGIS shows lightning strike activity over the western United States. First responders use this data and includes the terrain profile
to determine ignition points. and site-specific photos.

This mountain forest crown closure map was derived from light detection and ranging (lidar) data and
verified by Casper Mountain Fire Protection District and Wyoming Forestry Division staff.

In addition to providing first responders with

detailed initial response information, GIS supplies
incident commanders with overall situational
Planning
awareness including PDA’s and GPS enabled digital cameras were
GIS technology provides easy-to-use tools for maximizing all types Wildfire agencies use GIS to
used to document properties searched after the
of information and data for planning requirements. GIS stores • Current weather conditions Australia bush fires.
• Determine areas vulnerable to intense fire behavior.
spatial information in a digital mapping environment that allows • Location of on-scene and responding units
• Identify critical values at risk. The GIS map provides an overall view
fire managers to quickly select and view data that can influence fire • Vegetation conditions of damage and recovery needs with
behavior. Factors such as vegetation types, slopes, aspects, natural or • Predetermine fire tactics and strategies.
• Predetermined protection priorities location-specific photos and reports
man-made barriers, and historical weather patterns can be overlaid • Establish situational awareness through a GIS-based including
to determine fire hazards based on modeling potential fire behavior. common operating picture. • Evacuation requirements
The likelihood of wildfire ignitions can be predicted by locating • Severity of damage to buildings
• Produce key maps and analysis to support fire • Suitable locations for staging and incident
historical fire locations and identifying potential ignition sources command posts • Status of infrastructure and utilities
suppression operations.
(e.g., power lines, roads, industrial areas, housing areas). Additional
• Identify and analyze fire damage to develop Incident commanders use dynamic, real-time • Condition of landscapes
actions, such as vegetation modification, fire prevention programs,
rehabilitation plans. data combined with incident data to expand • Impact on natural resources
and code compliance, can be planned and modeled using GIS.
operations and respond to changing conditions.
• Inform the public of changing conditions such as road This data can be analyzed for recovery
Mitigation closures and threatened areas. and rehabilitation funding requests. It
GIS allows you to analyze, visualize, and prioritize values at risk, such can also be quickly shared with other
as housing developments, utility infrastructure, wildlife, and natural agencies and organizations.
or cultural resources. Many communities use GIS to analyze their
vulnerability to wildfire. Information-rich maps help determine the
actions necessary for developing effective wildfire protection.
The Fire Incident Mapping Tool extension for ArcGIS is used to manage and support wildfire incidents.

After the Australia bush fires of 2009, this Internet map viewer was used to identify parcels searched
during recovery.
Applying GIS Technology to Wildland Fire Fire Decision Support Tools
Having the Right Information when You Need It Most Increasing Situational Awareness and Providing Firefighter Safety

When it comes to wildfire protection Response Recovery

local, state, and federal agencies
Successful response starts with a map. Today, first GIS enables fire personnel to conduct
must be able to respond at a
responders have access to intelligent maps—maps rapid and accurate damage assessment
moment’s notice. Protecting life,
built using databases and powerful modeling and rehabilitation requirements after
property, and natural resources
capabilities. GIS provides first responders with an emergency. Wildfire staff members
requires comprehensive planning,
detailed information when and where they need it use GIS integration platforms for the
mitigation, coordination, response,
for a faster and safer response. collection, analysis, and display of
and recovery. Agencies must
various types of postincident data. GIS
continually improve service levels For example, with little technical skill required from
and GPS-enabled laptops and PDAs
without increasing budgets. fire personnel, a GIS application on a dispatcher’s
can be used to collect accurate damage
console, vehicle-mounted computer, or handheld
ESRI and its public safety partners information from the field. This data is
PDA will provide detailed information to answer
understand the unique challenges integrated into a central GIS database
questions such as the following:
you face—from simple fire for comprehensive analysis and display.
suppression to complex, large- • Where is the fire located?
scale incident response involving • What is the best way to access the fire?
numerous agencies. ESRI’s
• What is the terrain and fuel type?
geographic information system
(GIS) platform is designed to meet • Where are the evacuation routes?
the needs of the wildfire protection • What are the hazards to responding units?
mission. It gives you the right tools ArcGIS Explorer illustrates
• What are the values at risk? information collected in the field
to make accurate decisions under
• Whose jurisdiction is the incident within? identifying damaged structures
any conditions. ArcGIS shows lightning strike activity over the western United States. First responders use this data and includes the terrain profile
to determine ignition points. and site-specific photos.

This mountain forest crown closure map was derived from light detection and ranging (lidar) data and
verified by Casper Mountain Fire Protection District and Wyoming Forestry Division staff.

In addition to providing first responders with

detailed initial response information, GIS supplies
incident commanders with overall situational
Planning
awareness including PDA’s and GPS enabled digital cameras were
GIS technology provides easy-to-use tools for maximizing all types Wildfire agencies use GIS to
used to document properties searched after the
of information and data for planning requirements. GIS stores • Current weather conditions Australia bush fires.
• Determine areas vulnerable to intense fire behavior.
spatial information in a digital mapping environment that allows • Location of on-scene and responding units
• Identify critical values at risk. The GIS map provides an overall view
fire managers to quickly select and view data that can influence fire • Vegetation conditions of damage and recovery needs with
behavior. Factors such as vegetation types, slopes, aspects, natural or • Predetermine fire tactics and strategies.
• Predetermined protection priorities location-specific photos and reports
man-made barriers, and historical weather patterns can be overlaid • Establish situational awareness through a GIS-based including
to determine fire hazards based on modeling potential fire behavior. common operating picture. • Evacuation requirements
The likelihood of wildfire ignitions can be predicted by locating • Severity of damage to buildings
• Produce key maps and analysis to support fire • Suitable locations for staging and incident
historical fire locations and identifying potential ignition sources command posts • Status of infrastructure and utilities
suppression operations.
(e.g., power lines, roads, industrial areas, housing areas). Additional
• Identify and analyze fire damage to develop Incident commanders use dynamic, real-time • Condition of landscapes
actions, such as vegetation modification, fire prevention programs,
rehabilitation plans. data combined with incident data to expand • Impact on natural resources
and code compliance, can be planned and modeled using GIS.
operations and respond to changing conditions.
• Inform the public of changing conditions such as road This data can be analyzed for recovery
Mitigation closures and threatened areas. and rehabilitation funding requests. It
GIS allows you to analyze, visualize, and prioritize values at risk, such can also be quickly shared with other
as housing developments, utility infrastructure, wildlife, and natural agencies and organizations.
or cultural resources. Many communities use GIS to analyze their
vulnerability to wildfire. Information-rich maps help determine the
actions necessary for developing effective wildfire protection.
The Fire Incident Mapping Tool extension for ArcGIS is used to manage and support wildfire incidents.

After the Australia bush fires of 2009, this Internet map viewer was used to identify parcels searched
during recovery.
Applying GIS Technology to Wildland Fire Fire Decision Support Tools
Having the Right Information when You Need It Most Increasing Situational Awareness and Providing Firefighter Safety

When it comes to wildfire protection Response Recovery

local, state, and federal agencies
Successful response starts with a map. Today, first GIS enables fire personnel to conduct
must be able to respond at a
responders have access to intelligent maps—maps rapid and accurate damage assessment
moment’s notice. Protecting life,
built using databases and powerful modeling and rehabilitation requirements after
property, and natural resources
capabilities. GIS provides first responders with an emergency. Wildfire staff members
requires comprehensive planning,
detailed information when and where they need it use GIS integration platforms for the
mitigation, coordination, response,
for a faster and safer response. collection, analysis, and display of
and recovery. Agencies must
various types of postincident data. GIS
continually improve service levels For example, with little technical skill required from
and GPS-enabled laptops and PDAs
without increasing budgets. fire personnel, a GIS application on a dispatcher’s
can be used to collect accurate damage
console, vehicle-mounted computer, or handheld
ESRI and its public safety partners information from the field. This data is
PDA will provide detailed information to answer
understand the unique challenges integrated into a central GIS database
questions such as the following:
you face—from simple fire for comprehensive analysis and display.
suppression to complex, large- • Where is the fire located?
scale incident response involving • What is the best way to access the fire?
numerous agencies. ESRI’s
• What is the terrain and fuel type?
geographic information system
(GIS) platform is designed to meet • Where are the evacuation routes?
the needs of the wildfire protection • What are the hazards to responding units?
mission. It gives you the right tools ArcGIS Explorer illustrates
• What are the values at risk? information collected in the field
to make accurate decisions under
• Whose jurisdiction is the incident within? identifying damaged structures
any conditions. ArcGIS shows lightning strike activity over the western United States. First responders use this data and includes the terrain profile
to determine ignition points. and site-specific photos.

This mountain forest crown closure map was derived from light detection and ranging (lidar) data and
verified by Casper Mountain Fire Protection District and Wyoming Forestry Division staff.

In addition to providing first responders with

detailed initial response information, GIS supplies
incident commanders with overall situational
Planning
awareness including PDA’s and GPS enabled digital cameras were
GIS technology provides easy-to-use tools for maximizing all types Wildfire agencies use GIS to
used to document properties searched after the
of information and data for planning requirements. GIS stores • Current weather conditions Australia bush fires.
• Determine areas vulnerable to intense fire behavior.
spatial information in a digital mapping environment that allows • Location of on-scene and responding units
• Identify critical values at risk. The GIS map provides an overall view
fire managers to quickly select and view data that can influence fire • Vegetation conditions of damage and recovery needs with
behavior. Factors such as vegetation types, slopes, aspects, natural or • Predetermine fire tactics and strategies.
• Predetermined protection priorities location-specific photos and reports
man-made barriers, and historical weather patterns can be overlaid • Establish situational awareness through a GIS-based including
to determine fire hazards based on modeling potential fire behavior. common operating picture. • Evacuation requirements
The likelihood of wildfire ignitions can be predicted by locating • Severity of damage to buildings
• Produce key maps and analysis to support fire • Suitable locations for staging and incident
historical fire locations and identifying potential ignition sources command posts • Status of infrastructure and utilities
suppression operations.
(e.g., power lines, roads, industrial areas, housing areas). Additional
• Identify and analyze fire damage to develop Incident commanders use dynamic, real-time • Condition of landscapes
actions, such as vegetation modification, fire prevention programs,
rehabilitation plans. data combined with incident data to expand • Impact on natural resources
and code compliance, can be planned and modeled using GIS.
operations and respond to changing conditions.
• Inform the public of changing conditions such as road This data can be analyzed for recovery
Mitigation closures and threatened areas. and rehabilitation funding requests. It
GIS allows you to analyze, visualize, and prioritize values at risk, such can also be quickly shared with other
as housing developments, utility infrastructure, wildlife, and natural agencies and organizations.
or cultural resources. Many communities use GIS to analyze their
vulnerability to wildfire. Information-rich maps help determine the
actions necessary for developing effective wildfire protection.
The Fire Incident Mapping Tool extension for ArcGIS is used to manage and support wildfire incidents.

After the Australia bush fires of 2009, this Internet map viewer was used to identify parcels searched
during recovery.
GIS Scalability for Public Safety Personnel
Wildland Fire
GIS technology supports all aspects of the wildland fire mission.
GIS Solutions for Wildland Fire Suppression
ESRI’s open, scalable architecture supports small, midsized, and
large agencies. Four distinct user groups have been identified that
benefit from GIS during a wildland fire incident:

First Responders
First responders, crew bosses, strike team leaders, and helitack
personnel often rely on spatial information, as well as their
knowledge of fire behavior, to predict fire spread and appropriate About ESRI Our Focus Contact ESRI
suppression tactics. GIS supports the need to assess the situation
and determine actions that ensure safety of personnel and For four decades, ESRI has been At ESRI, we focus on promoting 1-800-GIS-XPRT (1-800-447-9778)
effective deployment. helping people make better the value of GIS and its applications Phone: 909-793-2853
decisions through management and throughout the world and pay close Fax: 909-793-5953
analysis of geographic information. attention to our users’ needs. Our info@esri.com
Our culturally diverse staff work software development and services www.esri.com
with our business partners and respond to our customers with
Offices worldwide
hundreds of thousands of people products that are easy to use, flexible,
www.esri.com/locations
who use GIS to make a difference and integrated. Our technology is
Staff Officers
in our world. multidisciplinary, productive, and
Fire management staff officers and agency administrators maintain valuable to our users.
situational awareness through a GIS-enabled common operating A full-service GIS company, ESRI
picture. The common operating picture offers a near real-time view offers support for implementing We have a strong commitment to
of events including GIS technology from the desktop educating our customers through

Chief Officers
GIS provides command staff members with the intelligence they
need to develop cost-effective incident objectives based on land
management goals and values at risk. GIS also enables incident
commanders to quickly gain an understanding of events on the
ground and potential impacts to life, property, and resources.
They can better track resources, assess changing fire behavior, and
measure progress toward meeting established objectives.
• Location and status of incidents throughout the jurisdiction to enterprise-wide servers, online ESRI’s various training programs. ESRI
services, and mobile devices. is a socially conscious business and
• Location of personnel and apparatus
GIS solutions are flexible and invests heavily in issues regarding
• Current weather conditions customizable to meet the needs of education, conservation, sustainable
• Planned incidents and events in adjoining jurisdictions all our users. development, and humanitarian affairs.
Adding to the power of the common operating picture is mobile
GIS capability. Using ArcGIS® Server, personnel can access and view
the common operation from any Web-enabled computing device
as well as update information from the field.
GIS Analysts
GIS analysts are trained personnel who use ArcGIS software
routinely to support planning efforts and create maps to support
incident operations. Incident management teams assign fire
GIS specialists who provide critical support for wildland fire
management operations. These wildfire professionals use GIS to
model fire behavior, analyze fire effects, produce maps to support
the incident action plan, and support damage assessment and
recovery.

ESRI
380 New York Street
Learn more about GIS for wildland fire suppression at Redlands, California
92373-8100 USA
www.esri.com/publicsafety.
Copyright © 2009 ESRI. All rights reserved. ESRI, the ESRI globe logo, ArcGIS, ArcMap, ArcInfo, ArcToolbox, 3D Analyst, ArcView, StreetMap, @esri.com, and www.esri.com are trademarks,
registered trademarks, or service marks of ESRI in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products mentioned herein may be
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.

116159
XXX 7.5M 6/09tk Printed in USA
GIS Scalability for Public Safety Personnel
Wildland Fire
GIS technology supports all aspects of the wildland fire mission.
GIS Solutions for Wildland Fire Suppression
ESRI’s open, scalable architecture supports small, midsized, and
large agencies. Four distinct user groups have been identified that
benefit from GIS during a wildland fire incident:

First Responders
First responders, crew bosses, strike team leaders, and helitack
personnel often rely on spatial information, as well as their
knowledge of fire behavior, to predict fire spread and appropriate About ESRI Our Focus Contact ESRI
suppression tactics. GIS supports the need to assess the situation
and determine actions that ensure safety of personnel and For four decades, ESRI has been At ESRI, we focus on promoting 1-800-GIS-XPRT (1-800-447-9778)
effective deployment. helping people make better the value of GIS and its applications Phone: 909-793-2853
decisions through management and throughout the world and pay close Fax: 909-793-5953
analysis of geographic information. attention to our users’ needs. Our info@esri.com
Our culturally diverse staff work software development and services www.esri.com
with our business partners and respond to our customers with
Offices worldwide
hundreds of thousands of people products that are easy to use, flexible,
www.esri.com/locations
who use GIS to make a difference and integrated. Our technology is
Staff Officers
in our world. multidisciplinary, productive, and
Fire management staff officers and agency administrators maintain valuable to our users.
situational awareness through a GIS-enabled common operating A full-service GIS company, ESRI
picture. The common operating picture offers a near real-time view offers support for implementing We have a strong commitment to
of events including GIS technology from the desktop educating our customers through

Chief Officers
GIS provides command staff members with the intelligence they
need to develop cost-effective incident objectives based on land
management goals and values at risk. GIS also enables incident
commanders to quickly gain an understanding of events on the
ground and potential impacts to life, property, and resources.
They can better track resources, assess changing fire behavior, and
measure progress toward meeting established objectives.
• Location and status of incidents throughout the jurisdiction to enterprise-wide servers, online ESRI’s various training programs. ESRI
services, and mobile devices. is a socially conscious business and
• Location of personnel and apparatus
GIS solutions are flexible and invests heavily in issues regarding
• Current weather conditions customizable to meet the needs of education, conservation, sustainable
• Planned incidents and events in adjoining jurisdictions all our users. development, and humanitarian affairs.
Adding to the power of the common operating picture is mobile
GIS capability. Using ArcGIS® Server, personnel can access and view
the common operation from any Web-enabled computing device
as well as update information from the field.
GIS Analysts
GIS analysts are trained personnel who use ArcGIS software
routinely to support planning efforts and create maps to support
incident operations. Incident management teams assign fire
GIS specialists who provide critical support for wildland fire
management operations. These wildfire professionals use GIS to
model fire behavior, analyze fire effects, produce maps to support
the incident action plan, and support damage assessment and
recovery.

ESRI
380 New York Street
Learn more about GIS for wildland fire suppression at Redlands, California
92373-8100 USA
www.esri.com/publicsafety.
Copyright © 2009 ESRI. All rights reserved. ESRI, the ESRI globe logo, ArcGIS, ArcMap, ArcInfo, ArcToolbox, 3D Analyst, ArcView, StreetMap, @esri.com, and www.esri.com are trademarks,
registered trademarks, or service marks of ESRI in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products mentioned herein may be
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.

116159
XXX 7.5M 6/09tk Printed in USA