Emergency Communications/Dispatch

Address Data Management for the PSAP

Solution for Dispatchable Addresses

First responders rely on their local Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) to provide dispatchable locations—that is, addresses that describe a physical place. Without a reliable address, response times get longer, and lives can be lost. Typically, an address includes the number assigned to a structure, the name of the street, and the name of the town or municipality. Next generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) requires that addressing solutions include the floor, unit number, and even more precise locations like room and desk. The responsibility to provide reliable addresses falls on local government so that PSAPs can create and maintain up-to-date addresses for emergency response. More progressive PSAPs include mapping, routing, navigation, and many other capabilities to support the first responder.

PSAPs work from a central database of address information but managing the data for NG9-1-1 requires even more data such as elevation (z-axis coordinates). Data managers need simple workflows that help capture the physical location of an address early in the development process (for example, when a new subdivision or building permit is approved). Esri’s Address Data Management solution provides tools for managing road centerlines with address ranges, site addresses, and other information required for NG9-1-1. The solution can be used by mapping technicians to streamline the collection, maintenance, and use of authoritative road centerlines, valid road names, site addresses, and related mailing addresses in compliance with national guidelines, such as those of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Add new road names to the Master Road Names table and use it to update road and site address features when road name elements change during the development life cycle. Derive a road name index from the Master Road Names table to ensure that data integrity is maintained on other address layers. Draw a new road in the direction of ascending address numbers assigned to parcels. Existing roads that intersect will be split and the address ranges prorated. Update road characteristics and add a road name alias if appropriate.

Are you concerned about condominium projects or apartment complexes? The Addressing tools allow you to relocate the site address feature to the desired location. Associate one or multiple distinct postal addresses with a given site address.

First responders need timely updates to address corrections, adjustments, or additional access/egress points. Successful address authorities assign addresses early in the development life cycle and improve the integrity of their address repository with quality control procedures that incorporate feedback from stakeholders. Use the Addressing tools to quickly submit missing or corrected address information from internal and external stakeholders or verify these submissions in the office. You can also create work assignments and send staff to verify crowdsourced information and collect new address and contact information using a mobile device in the field.

You can also use the tools to aggregate address information across jurisdictions. In a growing number of places, regional agencies (county offices, 9-1-1 authorities, councils of government, etc.) have assembled centralized address repositories and are synchronizing address information coming from local address authorities in a variety of formats. Several states have also developed statewide repositories or given support to their counties in the development of a system that maintains and delivers address data across the state.

NG9-1-1 is driving requirements for better, more accurate address mapping so that emergency calls can be accurately matched to street addresses. And when you deploy ArcGIS Enterprise, you can also leverage a collection of maps and apps that can be used by addressing authorities to manage road centerlines, site addresses, and mailing addresses, and aggregate this information from authoritative sources.

ArcGIS solutions will help your organization capture the location of an address early in the development process, continuously improve your address repository, and share authoritative addresses with other agencies. You can learn more about Esri’s Address Data Management solution by checking out the “Getting to Know the Address Solutions” ArcGIS StoryMaps story and the Introduction to Address Data Management web page.

Watch for our videos explaining how GIS benefits the PSAP/command and control center, and please reach out to us if you’d like more information.

 

About the author

Mike King is Director of Emergency Communications Solutions at Esri. Mike leads Esri’s global strategy for emergency communications and works with public safety commanders around the world. He retired at the rank of chief after a 28-year law enforcement career, including eight years with the Ogden City Police Department where he served in various capacities including patrol, investigations, and SWAT. He was trained by the FBI as a criminal profiler.

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