| Standardizing Map Symbols
An Initiative to Improve Communication Scott McAfee GIS Coordinator, Mitigation Division Representative to FGDC Homeland Security Working Group Federal Emergency Management Agency Department of Homeland Security December 3, 2003 |
Contents:
Transcript (HTML)
Transcript (MS Word)
Slides: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
About the Initiative
Related Websites:
FGDC Homeland Security Working Group (HSWG)
HSWG Emergency Symbol Evaluation
OGC Press Release, 11/20/03
OGC Emergency Mapping Symbology Initiative
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Scott McAfee works in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and is a GIS coordinator for the Mitigation Division of FEMA in Washington, D.C. Mr. McAfee helps to develop policy and coordinate the geospatial information aspects of a number of FEMA activities and programs, including HazardMaps.gov; Emergency Management Map Symbology; HAZUS; and Multihazard Flood Map Modernization. Before FEMA he worked for the California Office of Emergency Services, where he utilized GIS for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Mr. McAfee sits on the Federal Geographic Data Committee's Coordination and Homeland Security Groups. |
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SYMBOLIZATION AND MAP DATA STANDARDS FEMA, now part of the Department of Homeland Security, began an initiative in 2001 to develop standard map symbols for use in emergency management mapping. The standard is intended primarily to help first responders and emergency managers at the incident and local levels. The resulting symbol set, when completed and endorsed as a standard, will support disaster response and homeland security efforts by eliminating the confusion that can arise from unintuitive, ambiguous, and/or inconsistent use of map symbols. Since mid-2002 the initiative has been developed collaboratively within the Federal Geographic Data Committee's Homeland Security Working Group (FGDC HSWG). A Symbology Subgroup has been very active in defining the symbol set and developing related products. The Department of Census has coordinated digital symbol production. Other members of the group include representatives from the Defense Information Systems Agency, the Department of Energy, the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, the National States Geographic Information Council, the National Weather Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. HSWG Symbology Subgroup activities include:
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