represents the unit that has been assigned to the incident. Each of the active calls on the map can be queried by the dispatcher. He or she can click on the map symbol and get a report on who is there and the status of the emergency. As each new call is displayed on the map, the dispatcher can see if there is a first responder nearby that might be available to react.

The CAD mapping system uses elements of the base map to provide the dispatchers with other valuable information. They can see how parking lots interconnect and can guide a driver from building to building. They can also see ponds, swimming pools and other sources of water that could be used to fight a fire.

NEXT STEPS

The county has purchased the automatic vehicle locator (AVL) component of its CAD mapping system and will deploy it soon in a small number of vehicles. The GPS is being placed in those emergency vehicles, allowing the dispatchers to not only see which vehicle is at an incident scene, but where the vehicles are at all times as they move about the county.

The county is also preparing to begin routing emergency vehicles automatically. The software uses the street centerline database to determine the quickest route for an emergency vehicle to get to a call, saving time and lives.

Meanwhile, VGIN has received funding once