Mapping and Planning Montana Critical Structures for Homeland Contract Awarded to Missoula based Geodata Services, Inc. by Montana Department of Administration

The Montana Department of Administration and Homeland Security Task Force awarded a Missoula based company, Geodata Services, Inc. http://www.geodata-mt.com a contract to design a multi-user “smart map” model and design for critical structures for all counties, tribal governments and state agencies in Montana. Analysis will focus on software and database integration of emergency response and infrastructure such as transportation, communications, addressing of homes and businesses and land ownership mapping. This type of design is often termed a geodatabase model, a combination of map layers, information associated with features on the map, software systems, and social and business networks.

The model will address the following type of questions. How do first responders identify people to be warned or evacuated in an emergency? Who do local authorities work with to obtain maps and aerial or satellite imagery of the area surrounding a critical structure? What facilities contain hazardous material in the area of influence of a human caused or natural disaster? Where are the evacuation locations for students at a local school in the event of a shooting or earthquake? Which infrastructure is threatened by the failure of a dam or power substation? In all these situations, advance planning and design is the key to success both in response to emergencies and daily operations of critical structures. Mapping and geographic information systems play a crucial role in the process. Montana is the only state in the Western US that has developed integrated statewide geographic data models for the constantly changing map layers of transportation, addressing, and private land ownership. This gives citizens of the state an edge over neighboring states in community and rural planning and economic development, and will serve as a major advantage in incorporating critical structures and planning for homeland security.

Almost two hundred critical structure map layers will be examined including: buildings, such as schools, hospitals, federal, state and local properties; cell and power transmission facilities; chemical handlers, solid waste facilities, and other environmental hazard structures; airport, rail and highway associated transportation structures; and utilities such as power plants, substations, storage facilities, water supply. In addition to the feature locations, Geodata’s model will incorporate statewide standards so that data collected at the local, state and federal level will fit and work together in emergency situations. Private data, such as telecommunications and electrical facility structures will also be accounted for. Although their data and maps may be proprietary and not shared publicly, it is valuable to have agreements in place and interoperability standards to allow protected data sharing with authorities during critical situations.

With six months to complete the design, and hundreds of agencies and organizations to contact, information technology will be an important part of the planning process. Internet based web mapping developed by Geodata, online surveys, web enabled conference calls and other collaborative tools will be used to link DES coordinators in the smallest towns with those in the largest cities to assist in evaluating and designing the system. Officials will also contribute and examine case studies of previous emergencies such as the train derailment chlorine spill on Interstate 90, near Alberton in 1996, the wildfires of 2000 and 2003, and the 1999 prairie fire which burned much of Outlook, Montana to determine how mapping and geographic information systems fit into these emergencies.

A limited number of geospatial companies nationwide have met the qualifications to be listed as Montana technology information systems contractors, and Geodata Services competed against this select group of consultants in winning this homeland security contract award. Established in 1993, Geodata Services was one of the first GIS consulting firms in the State of Montana, and specializes in community planning, natural resources and geographic information technology. Geodata recently completed a previous contract with the Homeland Security Task Force to map the approximately 1,000 police and fire stations, ambulance services and emergency shelters in Montana.

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For more information about critical structures and Montana Homeland Security geodatabase design contact

Ken Wall, Geodata Services, Inc.

Phone: (406) 721-8865 Mobile: (406) 360-3548

Email: [email protected]

Web: http://www.geodata-mt.com