2004 UC Proceedings Abstract
Standardization of Map Symbols for Emergency Managers Track: EMS, Fire and Disaster Management Author(s): Scott McAfee FEMA, now part of the Department of Homeland Security, began an initiative in 2001 to develop standard map symbols for use in emergency management mapping. The standard is intended primarily to help first responders and emergency managers at the incident and local levels. The resulting symbol set, when completed and endorsed as a standard, will support disaster response and homeland security efforts by eliminating the confusion that can arise from unintuitive, ambiguous, and/or inconsistent use of map symbols. Since mid-2002 the initiative has been developed collaboratively within the Federal Geographic Data Committee's Homeland Security Working Group (FGDC HSWG). A Symbology Subgroup has been very active in defining the symbol set and developing related products. The Bureau of the Census has coordinated digital symbol production, and NSGIC and a variety of federal agencies have made significant contributions. There is also an Open GIS Consortium testbed to explore making these symbols interoperable. Scott McAfee Department of Homeland Security FEMA/Mitigation Division 7911 Richfield RD Springfield , VA 22153 US Phone: (703) 593-2533 E-mail: scott.mcafee@dhs.gov |
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