Abstract
Using Geospatial Technology to Process 911 Calls after Hurricane Katrina Track: Disaster Mangagement and Emergency Response Author(s): Craig Conzelmann, Bill Sleavin On August 29, 2005, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) was contacted by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to provide geospatial support in the form of data creation and mapping to aid in the search and rescue of Hurricane Katrina victims. Shortly thereafter, the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (LOHSEP) requested that USGS initiate a geospatial response task for 911 calls. The particular conditions following Katrina made conventional rescue operations impossible. Nonlocal responders lacked familiarity with the New Orleans area ,which was 80 percent inundated thus requiring the geoaddressing of 911 calls. Working with the LOHSEP, the USGS obtained 911 call data from a centralized call database and processed approximately 25,000 calls. Maps and digital data including latitudinal-longitudinal coordinates of emergency calls were generated through the implementation of a variety of geospatial technologies. Craig Conzelmann USGS 700 Cajundome Blvd Lafayette , LA 70506 US Phone: 337-266-8842 E-mail: cconzelmann@usgs.gov Bill Sleavin IAP World Services 312 Hayley Way Smyrna , DE 19977 US Phone: 302-653-6477 E-mail: william_sleavin@usgs.gov |
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