County & city GIS teams provide updated information on streets & addresses
Hamilton County is preparing its 911 system for the next generation of emergency response.
The county’s GIS (Geographic Information Systems) team, in collaboration with city GIS teams from Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, and Westfield, has successfully transitioned its emergency mapping data to align with the National Emergency Number Association’s (NENA) Next Generation 911 (NG911) GIS data model.
The project was years in the making and involved close cooperation among city and county teams. Each city provides updated location information – like new streets and addresses – directly into the county’s shared GIS database. This helps reduce errors and makes it easier to keep the system current.
“Having real-time, accurate GIS data is essential for emergency dispatchers and responders,” says Tom Bassett, GIS Specialist with Hamilton County Public Safety Communications. “This upgrade puts us in a strong position for the future.”
The recent upgrade brought Hamilton County in line with national standards that are shaping the future of 911 systems across the country. These changes not only meet federal requirements but also put Hamilton County ahead of the curve as 911 technology continues to evolve nationwide.
“This is a huge undertaking,” says Joan Keene, Director of GIS for Hamilton County’s Information Systems Services Department. “We are the only county in Indiana to implement these standards in a real-time collaborative GIS system. This initiative shows what’s possible when city and county departments work together.”
About NENA NG911
The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) created the NG911 standard to modernize the 911 system across the U.S. It focuses on ensuring emergency responders have the most accurate location data possible, helping them get to the right place faster.