By Don Maxwell
When the station tones ring and you make your way to the apparatus, many things are quickly going through your mind. On top of the list are how you are going to respond in the safest manner and the most expedient route to the incident scene. The first concern relies on training, experience, and common sense. Regarding the second issue, maps-station wall maps and apparatus response maps-are critical tools for improving your company’s effectiveness.
In those instances where your company is not familiar with the area to which you are responding, do you have these tools to help make the response as smooth as possible? Does your department provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information possible? What can you do to enhance your department’s response capabilities?
MAPPING
 1) Wall maps are useful guides for quick route or specialized information. (Photos by author.) |
I have found that the most important component of a successful mapping program is two-way communication between the developer of the maps and the first-line users. Maps quickly can become another worthless binder of paper taking up room in your already cramped cabs if they are not user-friendly. Maps should contain as much relevant information for the company officer as possible, and they should be legible, especially in the dark and when running down the road. They can include hydrant locations, draft site locations, medevac landing zones, locked gate locations, limited apparatus access areas, and other features.
MAP PRODUCTION
Maps can take many forms. Large response area maps with streets only can be of great benefit in finding your way around your jurisdiction. More detailed maps can indicate more specific hazard and location information. The maps can be in hard copy or computer format.
 (2) Maps on a mobile data terminal. Maps are customized to user preferences. |
Maps originally may have been hand-drawn renditions of our recollection of our response areas. Using drawing software may create a cleaner look but does not add to the maps’ accuracy.
 (3) A map book can be cumbersome in a cluttered cab. |
A computer-aided drafting (CAD) program enables you to apply a scale to the drawings. The scale ensures a closer degree of accuracy in judging distances. The maps can easily be converted to a computer format for viewing on the apparatus, if the vehicle is so equipped.
The best option currently is a Geographic Information System (GIS-based mapping). It provides pinpoint accuracy by taking data and locating them on a map using x/y coordinates or a latitude/longitude coordinate system that is common throughout the world. This system also allows the user to access an unlimited supply of data to enhance your maps. Data for these maps can be acquired from local city, county, or state GIS departments. Many of the map “layers” that you may need may already have been produced by these entities.
 (4) This large document plotter can be invaluable in producing high-quality maps in-house. |
The maps then can be produced on paper or loaded into an interactive map viewer program, to allow the user to customize the view to what is needed. Many of these interactive map viewer programs also have the capability to view prefire plan information, haz mat, and extrication information.
MAP COMPONENTS
One of the critical components of a well-planned map is an organized map grid system. Many areas of the country have an established grid system set up through planning and assessor personnel on the city, county, or state level. The numbering systems may be confusing for our use, but the grids are valid and can be adapted to simpler fire map use. These grids are often based on a one-square-mile basis and can be broken down into quarter-mile or eighth-mile grids. It can be useful to use all of these grids in your map system; it provides greater accuracy and detail when progressing to smaller grids. It is recommended that departments use the same grid system and numbering as their neighboring departments, which fosters more effective mutual aid. Remember, your responding backup units may be completely unfamiliar with your area.
 Examples of grid maps include (5) a one-mile grid map page. |
Beyond the grid system, the details added to your map system are completely customizable. You will, of course, start with the basics, such as streets, hydrant locations, and addresses. The rest would be based on the feedback you receive from the end users. Find out what information is important to them when responding to an emergency. Also, determine what information would be useful after they arrive at the scene.
 (6) a one-quarter-mile grid map page. |
It is vitally important to build an effective means of communication between your department and the agency, or agencies, from which you receive your updated information. Are these changes received in a format that can be readily added into your current maps, or will some data entry or drawing be involved? Many times, this relationship can be fostered by offering to give them accurate feedback and field checking of their data. Accuracy of data is a big issue to agencies that produce maps and data on a larger scale.
PRODUCTS TO ENHANCE MAPPING
As previously discussed, there is a wide range of commercially available products to enhance your department’s mapping capability. Your choices will be based on needs; capability; and, of course, cost.
Many CAD choices are available. The most common are “AutoCAD” capable. They perform on a common platform. The range depends on the software’s capabilities and the ease of use. Some products are easy to learn and use but lack in functionality features. Others may require extensive training to use but have many built-in tools to enhance your drawing capabilities.
 (7) A specific target hazard map (river access map). |
Based on my research, a commonly used GIS-based system in the country seems to be ESRI’s “ArcGIS” products. These products are used internationally to create extremely detailed and informative maps. They can create, display, and print many different styles of maps and also can be adapted to other products for display, such as mobile data computer maps.
Some of these mobile data-based products also have the capability to connect wirelessly to a dispatch center so that the map can be automatically displayed with your response address centered on the map and can interactively zoom closer as you approach the scene.
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As you can see, much thought and planning are necessary to produce a successful mapping program. Many solutions are available. The right mapping system for your department will be determined by your department’s computer capabilities and cost. Is your department giving you the tools necessary to address one of your basic charges-getting to the scene of an emergency safely and efficiently? ■
■ DON MAXWELL is mapping coordinator for Clackamas County (OR) Fire District #1. He has been producing maps since 1989 and is responsible for the mapping for a fire district of 187 square miles and 16 fire stations. He has assisted various fire departments in fulfilling their mapping needs.
Examples of grid maps include (5) a one-mile grid map page and (6) a one-quarter-mile grid map page.
