USNG for Iowa’s First Responders

1. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders The United States National Grid (USNG): “A language of location”

2. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders USNG Trail Marking System

3. United States National Grid (USNG) • Standardized ‘language of location’ • Flexible, scalable, and increases interoperability.

4. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders Why the US National Grid (USNG)? • Nationally consistent map and grid system (scalable based on incident size and location) • Provides a seamless reference system across judicial boundaries and map scales • Is botha point and areagrid reference system • Functionally equivalent and derived from the Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) and Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) • Established as a National Standard in 2001 by FGDC

5. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders U.S. National Grid (USNG)History • Today – USNG values are being assigned to virtually everything and everywhere; structures, public works (sewer intakes, fire hydrants, etc.), trail markers, river markers, the list goes on and is endless.

6. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders Operational Uses of the USNG Command and Control Situational Awareness Search and Rescue

7. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders Operational Uses of the USNG: Search and Rescue Enhances Interoperability Common SAR Grid Layout USNG SAR Grid (Already Established)Easily Expanded and Scalable

8. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders Operational Uses of the USNG:

9. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders Operational Uses of the USNG:

10. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders Georeferencing Matrix: Catastrophic Incident Search and Rescue (CIS)

11. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders What do all the numbers mean? A USNG value has three components: 100,000-meter Square Identification: Grid Zone Designation: Grid Coordinates: 15T XG 11548 40503 Grid Coordinate Accuracy 1 Meter – Manhole Cover 11548 40503 1154 4050 10 Meters - House 100 Meters – Football Field 115 405 1000 Meters – Search Grid 11 40

12. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders Grid Zone Designations

13. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders USNG: 100,000-m Square Identification

14. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders 100,000 Meter Square Identification

15. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders 1,000 Meter Grid

16. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders U.S. National Grid Coordinates Read Right, Then Up. Reading the Numbers on a map: Easting and Northing

17. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders USNG: “Language of Location” Using Technology to Assist Compass Commander Lite MilGPS GPS20S GPS2OS Maps, Maps, Maps Smart Phone Navigation Apps GPS Receivers (DATUM NAD83)

18. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders USNG: a language of location? What about Latitude and Longitude? Latitude and Longitude Coordinatesare basis of the USNG 911 Dispatchers receive “X” “Y” coordinates from cell phones Public uses GPS Receivers (hunters, boat operators, geocache enthusiasts, etc.)

19. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders Maps, Maps, Maps! Technology is great, but don’t forget your paper map!

20. Five Ideas About USNG Markers: • What’s the Problem? • What’s the Solution? • The Sign! • The Other “Stuff” • What’s the Future?

21. The situation is even worse on unimproved corridors of transit – places where individuals often end up in trouble!

22. Not the First • Project Objectives: • Standardized approach to match USNG • Format would work nationally (grid zone issues) • Format would work across different sign sizes/styles • Format would respect established national sign production and placement standards

23. MILE 24 15T VK ----------------------------- 8996 5986 US National Grid Location Lots of Trial and Error (2009-2012)!

24. Tiegen And Even More (2009-2012)!

25. And Still More (2009-2012)!

26. Prototype Run • Samples: • Two different sign companies – Gopher and Lyle • Two different materials – Aluminum and plastic • Three different sizes – 6x9, 9x12, 12x12 • Four different sticker and replacement number sizes • Four different sticker types • Four different sticker manufacturers

27. Ooopss!

28. Features • Available as preprinted or blanks to allow local/field production, • Font mimics Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) font, but is free of license, • Engineer grade reflective blue matches FHWA color standard, and national trail signage reflectivity standards, • Star of Life avoids “Red Cross” proprietary issue, and can be covered by a sticker if desired, and • 8 place USNG coordinate = 33’ accuracy, with box highlighting critical information for the vast majority of cases.

29. Making an Emergency Location Marker

30. Now What? – Still Not Out of the Woods!

31. Outreach Support – Public Brochure

32. Outreach Support – Dispatcher’s Guide

33. Outreach Support – CAD Support

34. Outreach Support – Standardized Maps Nate Eide and Randy Knippel (Lake Co./Dakota Co.)

35. Best Practices:

36. Sign Specifications:

37. U.S. Fire Academy Coffee Break Training: September 17, 2012

38. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders USNG IOWA’s Goal: Implementation of the USNG as the State of Iowa’s “language of location”

39. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders “A map without a grid is just a picture.” Implementing the USNG is like “pushing a wet rope up hill.” -Al Studt, Canaveral FD, Communications & Structures Specialist, FL Task Force 4 USAR, and USNG guru

40. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders The creation of this presentation requires special thanks to: Steve Swazee Al Studt Talbott Brooks And other GIS professionals around the United States

41. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders Additional Resources/References www.usngcenter.org www.usngiowa.org

42. USNG for Iowa’s First Responders Robert Inouye Cedar Falls Fire Rescue 319-239-4348 rob.inouye@cedarfalls.com Jason Dolf Aerial Services, Inc. Raymond Fire Rescue Evansdale Police Department 319-290-5448 jdolf@aerialservicesinc.com