"The Emergency Response Language of Location"
Find below some of the organizations that have endorsed use of the U.S. National Grid geolocation standard for communicating location information during emergency and disaster operations.
Central to these endorsements is the belief that all response elements across the federal, state, local and tribal spectrum need to be using the same geospatial coordinate system to effectively and efficiently communicate information about "where" during emergencies and disasters. This is especially true when an incident is significant enough to require mutual aid support.
The coordinate system which these organizations have determined is the best possible to use when lives are on the line is - U.S. National Grid.
Department of Defense (DoD)
Mission: To provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security. (That mission includes "Defense Support of Civil Authorities" (DSCA).)
Reference(s):
- October 29, 2018: Defense Support of Civil Authorities, Joint Publication 3-28
- July 5, 2022: 2021 Federal Radionavigation Plan. Joint signatories Department of Transportation and Department of Homeland Security.
- February 23, 2023: Position (Point And Area) Reference Procedures, CJCSI 3900.01E
- Link: U.S. Northern Command - Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief Efforts
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Mission: With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values.
Reference(s):
- June 28, 2013: Homeland Security Geospatial Concept of Operations
(GeoCONOPS)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Mission: To help people before, during and after disasters. Floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and forest fires, whatever the disaster, FEMA leads the federal government's response as part of a team of responders.
Reference(s):
- April 5, 2016: FEMA Damage Assessment Operations Manual
- October 2018: FEMA Geospatial Support for Disaster Operations Guide
- October 2017: National Incident Management System, Third Edition
- October 15, 2015: Use of the United States National Grid (USNG), FEMA Directive 92-5
Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)
Mission: The Federal Geographic Data Committee is an organized structure of Federal geospatial professionals and constituents that provide executive, managerial, and advisory direction and oversight for geospatial decisions and initiatives across the Federal government.
Reference(s):
- December 2001: United States National Grid, FGDC-STD-011-2001
- February 2011: United States Thoroughfare, Landmark, and Postal Address Data Standard, FGDC-STD-016-2011. (Sponsored by the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) and National Emergency Number Association (NENA). Parts 2, 4, and 5 germane. Link downloads a 4.16 MB zip file)
Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA)
Mission: Our mission is to facilitate delivery of high quality, ongoing education and engagement opportunities for geospatial professionals in the infrastructure sector.
Reference(s):
National Search and Rescue Committee (NSARC)
Mission: The National Search and Rescue Committee is a federal-level committee formed to coordinate civil search and rescue (SAR) matters of interagency interest within the United States.
Reference(s):
National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC)
Mission: NSGIC strives to be the premier state-led forum for developing, exchanging and endorsing geospatial technology and policy best practices. We share solutions to offer benefits across the geospatial ecosystem. We facilitate connections between people and organizations across multiple sectors — and the data and systems they use — resulting in greater returns from the efficient use of geospatial technology.
Reference(s):
- August 12, 2011: NG 9-1-1, Working Smarter Together. Co-sponsored by the National Alliance for Public Safety GIS (NAPSG) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).
Society of Automotive Engineers International (SAE)
Mission: Our Mission is to advance mobility knowledge and solutions for the benefit of humanity.
Reference(s):
- August 22, 2018: U.S. National Grid Standard, SAE1002
United States Fire Administration (USFA)
Mission: As an entity of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the mission of the U.S. Fire Administration is to support and strengthen fire and emergency medical services (EMS) and stakeholders to prepare for, prevent, mitigate and respond to all hazards.
Reference(s):
- January 2015: National Fire Incident Reporting System
United States Geological Survey (USGS)
Mission: The USGS serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life. The USGS combines and enhances its diverse programs, capabilities, and talents to provide science leadership and contribute to the resolution of complex issues.
Reference(s):