USNG Emergency Location Markers - Speeding Response Times and Saving Lives

Presentation Type: Presentation (60 minutes)

Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate

Intended Audience: GIS User, GIS Builder, GIS Developer, GIS Instructor, Student, Management

Abstract

Emergency Location Markers (ELM) based on the U.S. National Grid were developed in Minnesota in response to requests from Search and Rescue teams in the northern part of the state that needed a marking system which would significantly speed up rescues on recreational trails. Now, in addition to multiple locations in Minnesota, significant and well publicized installs can be found in nine states, as well as in heavily traversed locations like the Braves Stadium in Atlanta, Kennedy Space Center, and Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield National Park. This presentation will explain why ELMs are the best solution for recreational trail and park emergency location signage. Also discussed will be the wide range of issues inherent in an installation, from planning to installation, so you can determine if an ELM project is a good choice for your community or club.

Presenter(s)

Stephen Swazee

Executive Director, SharedGeo

Steve Swazee is the Executive Director of SharedGeo, a St. Paul based research and development nonprofit which creates innovative geospatial technologies. From experiences while serving in the Navy as the senior Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer at the Pentagon during the 2005 hurricane season (Katrina, Ophelia, Rita and Wilma), he became convinced of the need for a nationally standardized way of communicating location in emergencies and disasters through use of U.S. National Grid. Steve sees Emergency Location Markers as one part of that solution.