J4G.5
Florida Fire Management Information System
Bill Beers, URS Corporation, Tallahassee, FL; and J. D. Brenner and S. Esner
The Florida Fire Management Information System (FMIS) is a tightly integrated set of applications that handle the data input, processing and reporting needs of work undertaken by the Florida Division of Forestry (DOF), including: ·Open Burning Authorizations
·Responding to wildland fires and other incidents
·Recording law enforcement actions taken by DOF personnel
By integrating these functions into a single system and storing the data in a single relational database, the DOF has eliminated duplicate data entry and reduced paperwork, while at the same time increasing the amount and quality of information being recorded and reported about incidents, open burning authorizations, law enforcement actions, fire danger and many of the day-to-day operations of the DOF. FMIS assists the DOF in making the safest decision possible on whether to allow a requested open burn. FMIS uses the Mesoscale Model #5 (developed by the Penn State University and the National Center for Atmospheric Research) weather forecast and the HySplit smoke model to forecast the area that has a high potential for impact by smoke from a particular controlled burn or wildfire. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology built into the system is used to compare the impacted area with the location of smoke-sensitive features such as schools, roads, and hospitals. GIS also allows for a visual, map-based representation of the location of incidents and controlled burns. Geographic data entered into the system is stored in the database and is also directly accessible using commercial off-the-shelf GIS software. FMIS maintains information on the status of firefighting crews and tracks their assignment to incidents. Using this information, the FMIS can track the costs of responding to incidents and, if warranted, will generate a Suppression Bill to be presented to the person or persons responsible for the incident. FMIS includes a desktop application used primarily by Duty Officers in the DOF District Communication Centers, a browser-based interface for other FMIS users in more remote work centers, and a publicly accessible reporting and mapping Web site. All are connected to the same data repository, providing real-time data to DOF wildland fire managers throughout the State.
.Joint Session 4G, GIS/REMOTE SENSING: PART 2 (TRACK VII)
Tuesday, 18 November 2003, 8:00 AM-11:30 AM
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