GIS & COFEMS Recognized with Commonwealth Technology Award
By: Orange County Communications Department
Since its relatively recent beginnings at the end of 2018, Our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) division has been a significant driver of innovation based on information. It is a service that largely takes place behind the scenes, but it supports a variety of other County departments, including Development Services, Economic Development, the Clerk of the Circuit Court,
the Commissioner of the Revenue, and many more! However, we are pleased to report that just a few short days ago, their behind - the - scenes dedication was brought to the forefront with the receipt of a Commonwealth Technology Award from Government Technology. The award recognized the “ Fire & EMS Call Data Dashboard ” project, which was developed in partnership with County of Orange Fire & EMS (COFEMS) to support their lifesaving efforts with data - driven digital visualizations of call volume
GIS Manager, Jim Whipp receives the award at the 2023 Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS) in Richmond, Va.
and response. The dashboard became operational in January 2023, and works by translating datapoints from a monthly report of call activity into a map which can make clear historical trends and inform future decision - making. Staff from each department worked together to determine which variables could be extracted from the CAD (Computer - Aided Dispatch) system to have the most practical impact.
This new tool is a gamechanger for COFEMS, which averages nearly 1,400 unit dispatches every month, because the dashboard is not a static display. It actually empowers COFEMS leadership with the ability to apply hypotheticals and see realistic results based on past information. For example, they could ask, “ What would be the impact if a particular unit wasn ’ t operational due
A map of call volume in Orange County so far this year.
to mechanical failure? ” then adjust the dashboard ’ s variable filters and overlay drive - time information to demonstrate how other units would have to provide coverage outside of their Company Response Area. Armed with the information the dashboard provides, COFEMS leaders are able to match their first - hand experience with objective statistics to better allocate existing units or effectively plan for additional resources. According to Orange County Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal Mike Throckmorton, COFEMS can “ use this dashboard to analyze areas of high resource usage and plan for future resource allocation/station development. ” This project was award - worthy because of its innovative, creative design and significant application to both short and long - term planning. However, Orange County residents are the true winners. Every improvement made to emergency response translates to better outcomes for COFEMS patients.
Page 7 | September 2023
Powered by FlippingBook