VidaGIS

Saturday, February 7, 2009 will forever be known as Black Saturday in the state of Victoria, Australia. In the midst of a 10-year drought, a record-breaking heat wave descended upon the state, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius (110-120 degrees Fahrenheit), breaking all-time record highs in some cities.

Under these severe weather conditions, fallen power lines, lightning strikes, and tossed cigarette butts sparked multiple fires across Victoria, which were fanned by gale-force winds blowing in excess of 120 kilometers (75 miles) per hour, carrying fires across the state. The fires—some of which burned for 29 days—destroyed 2,029 homes and killed 173 people, making this the deadliest natural disaster in Australian history.
 

In the throes of the disaster, Victoria Police (VicPol) began the daunting task of assessing the damage and number of fatalities. However, as the number of people missing and unaccounted for began to increase in areas where familiar landmarks such as street signs, mailboxes, and homes were reduced to smoldering rubble, it became clear that existing procedures wouldn’t work. Assistance was requested from the Australian Capital Territory Emergency Services Agency, which deployed its newly formed Mapping and Planning Support (MAPS) team to help.

The MAPS team consists of government and private-sector professionals who specialize in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and volunteer to respond to disaster management operations. The MAPS unit is the only organization in Australia created specifically to play this important role.

Together with consultants, software developers, and handheld computers expanded team began compiling a sophisticated technology solution that would meet the state’s needs for assessing the damage quickly and efficiently under extreme conditions.
Handheld computers with integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities and a built-in 3.5G cellular modem for high-speed internet connectivity worldwide. Developers quickly enable crews to access VicPol’s standard damage assessment form in a digital format automatically linked to parcel data on the handhelds. Therefore, teams of police fill out paper process with the help of handheld was used by our field crews and it was found to be more than suitable for the task. We were able to enter and update information electronically, and then use the internal 3.5G modem to send and receive that data in real time to and from the rescue coordination centre while still in the field

To protect themselves from hazardous chemicals, asbestos, and smoldering flames, field workers donned full protective suits, rubber boots, gloves, helmets and respirators. Once outfitted with the protective gear, they scoured the devastated region using the handhelds to navigate to the correct parcel of land requiring investigation. As each team began its shift, the workers moved through the wreckage, accessing the software to provide parcel data about each location.

Using handhelds’ touch screen to activate drop-down menus to quickly and easily enter attribute data such as GPS location, what types of building were found, their condition, and whether a body was found. A text edit function made it easy for workers to enter more detailed notes.