Is your Geographic Information System(GIS) data as accurate as your Master Street Address Guide(MSAG)? In the National Emergency Number Association(NENA) i3 Next Generation 9-1-1(NG9-1-1) architecture, your GIS data will do the heavy lifting such as location validation and routing that is currently done by your MSAG. This presents new challenges and requirements for local and regional GIS data planning and management.

There are two important issues to consider when planning a GIS data development and maintenance program to support NG9-1-1.

1. How accurate is my GIS data compared to my MSAG and Automatic Location Identification(ALI) database?

2. What do I need to adjust in my GIS data to meet the new functionality?

Today GIS data is used for plotting call locations in a PSAP mapping application. A NG9-1-1 system has additional data requirements and specifications for your local GIS data. Understanding your GIS data needs and possible adjustments will help your PSAP today and in a NG9-1-1 system. NG9-1-1 may be around the corner or a way off for different areas, but there are questions NENA recommends local agencies need to begin discussing. Some answers may be simple and some complex. The most important step you can take is the decision to start asking the questions.

Here are some of the questions you can start with:

• Are there additional data layers that will assist in routing calls to correct PSAPs?
• What data guidelines should be followed to ensure accuracy, consistency, and increased performance for emergency responders?
• Will GIS data be more regionalized?
• How will data sharing be set up between neighboring agencies?
• What are the policy decisions necessary to guide on-the-fly 9-1-1 call routing boundary polygon changes?
• How are GIS, MSAG, and ALI database synchronization measured, maintained, and guaranteed?
• How does a local GIS data development and maintenance program interact with the new functionality and components?

These are some of the questions GeoComm will partner with you to answer. GeoComm provides comprehensive GIS consulting services that can walk you through the NG9-1-1 GIS requirements, including providing a data report card. The Data Report Card can show you just how good and synchronized your data is. GeoComm GIS consulting can assist in identifying useful layers to add into your GIS data; determining best practices for data maintenance; developing standard operating procedures; negotiating data sharing arrangements; and interpreting NENA NG9-1-1 GIS data guidelines.

Based on any one of the services mentioned above, GeoComm can also assist with map data cleanup for consistency, accuracy, and most importantly synchronization. GeoComm can develop additional GIS data layers to assist in spatial call routing, can maintain your GIS data for you, or can provide you with automated tools in GeoLynx DMS that are proven to increase efficiency for public safety GIS data maintenance.