Disaster Management Solution
- Submitted by:
- Chris Madsen
- Company:
- QIT Plus Pty Ltd
- Submitted on:
- 21 Feb, 2010
- Category:
- Unique and Unusual Award
- Country:
- Australia
- Industry:
- IT/Computing/Software
- Products Used:
- MapInfo Professional, MapBasic, SQL Server, MS Access
- Total Votes:
- 2616
Guardian will incorporate maps with 4 dynamic layers generated from the SQL views to thematic draw icons for active and completed tasks, resources allocated and road hazards. The automated geocoding requires operators to have no GIS understanding for the Co-ordinators to benefit from the spatial views.
Every task allocated is marked on the map with x,y co-ordinates. Point are marked either automatically from the data or by using the additional tools created in the custom menu that allows users with one click of the mouse to position the marker (with the aid of aerial photography or other layers) more accurately. Using MapBasic with MS Access this automatically updates point references to the SQL Server database.
Project Summary
QIT Plus has revolutionised the operations of a Multi-Agency Response when a major emergency or disaster occurs with the introduction of Guardian Control Centre.
Through the integration of a SQL Server Database and MapInfo the application provides the very best Spatial Technology and Database solutions to replace the traditional Paper System.
This software has been transformed into the most user friendly and beneficial computer solution for our Emergency Personnel handling Multi-Agency Emergencies. The Multi-Agency Emergency Solution has been named ‘Guardian Control Centre’.
The Total Guardian Solution is all about preparing information for our Emergency Personnel should a disaster occur and when it does, quickly assisting the personnel within the Control Centre, so they can make the best and effective decisions in relation to those outside the Control Centre whether assisting or being affected.
The live mapping of data to MapInfo combines valuable Spatial Technology with the decisions made by the Emergency Decision Makers and displays immediately the resources deployed on the map of the region to all Emergency Personnel in the Control Centre to view and study. The emergency software was developed by Phill Glindemann and Chris Madsen of QIT Plus Pty Ltd a Queensland Software Development company specialising in Emergency Management.
The innovative solution brings disaster management operations into the 21st century replacing the manual paper systems currently in use throughout the world. With fully integrated live mapping the solution provides spatial management to coordinating tasks and resources whilst being aware of hazards and road closures.
Mapping Integration Key Components
1. Associate property data to map.
Call centre operators must validate a property on the map before lodging the details of the job request. Initial configuration for a site will include the extract of the centroid as part of the source data. Every request includes the x,y coordinate and job sheets include maps to assist in locating the site. This overcomes the current problem of sending field officers to incorrect addresses.
Using MapBasic the Guardian Front End developed in MS Access uses HChan functionality to call the MapInfo application and automatically parse the references to associate with the parcel.
2. Group tasks by address (avoid multiple job sheets for the same address)
Using the footprint of a parcel as the parent record, task sheets will be generated grouping all the calls about the same property. Particularly useful for the multiple dwellings where multiple separate points can still be marked whilst the single task sheets summarises all calls for this address.
3. Enter data by selecting properties on the map.
A critical component of disaster management is quickly detecting people who need to be alerted or evacuated. Using the feature to select a polygon or SQL query of the map lists of names and address can be generated, jobs can be automatically added into the database or text message alerts can be sent through to registered users.
4. Custom Tools to change the x,y coordinate and update the database
The MapBasic loads the customised toolbar and using the Create Point functionality allows operators to easily change the point of reference (x,y coordinate) to the specific location of a house or point on a road or ocean using aerial photography layers. The x,y coordinate automatically updates the data in the SQL tables.
5. Live mapping of SQL views
The Guardian database include four views holding data for active prioritised jobs, completed jobs, resources allocated and road hazards.
Utilising the spatial tools within SQL server in conjunction with the DBMS functionality of MapInfo the data from these views is thematically mapped and provides the updates with automatic refreshing to displayed in the Operations Centre for the Executive Management.
Guardian Control Centre is now is use with 10 site licences throughout Australia. The solution only offered for sale at the beginning of 2007 is very quickly gaining acceptance throughout the region.