St. Landry Parish Communications District Integrated 911 Map
Why It's Important
Quick and accurate access to information is essential for emergency communications offices. Dispatchers must be able to identify exact locations and dispatch officers without delay. However, effective response goes beyond just mapping; it also requires seamless integration with systems like Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Report Management Systems (RMS). The Geospatial Group partnered with St. Landry Communications District to develop a custom map for their team that is not only efficient and user-friendly, but also fully compatible with other systems and federal requirements.
Integrated 911 Map
The Integrated 911 Map was created for the St. Landry Communications District by The Geospatial Group utilizing ESRI's Address Data Management Solution. This solution provided a better way to manage the center's data and ensure compliance with NextGen911 standards. The attributes and rules built into the system help to maintain the integrity of the data, while also allowing for leverage of ESRI's ArcGIS Enterprise. By following a standard data model, the system can be fully integrated with almost any CAD or RMS vendor, while also providing fast map services and dashboard analytics.
Implementation & Key Features
Preparing the Data
To begin implementing The Address Data Management Solution, we start by acquiring the existing address and road network data. Then, a comprehensive cleanup process is done to correct intersection geometry, standardize road names, types, and classifications, and resolve any data inconsistencies. Once the data is validated and aligned with industry standards, it is integrated it into the Solution, establishing a centralized, authoritative address repository.
Optimizing CAD Integration
To optimize the address and road data for seamless CAD integration, the datasets are enhanced by defining key operational elements such as intersections, response zones, cross streets, and commonplaces - including flags and alarm boxes. We developed a custom Python script that creates multiple identifiable points at intersections where three or more roads with different names converge. This ensures that each road involved in the intersection is individually recognized and retrievable by the CAD system, enabling more precise location referencing during dispatch. Another custom script codes the nearest connected intersection as a cross street that is also accessible to emergency personnel.
Seamless Deployment
We enabled St. Landry Communications District staff to take ownership of the data by adding/modifying/deleting commonplaces using a custom-made dashboard. This ensures the system reflects terminology and landmarks familiar to dispatchers and first responders. After this customization, the data was published to ArcGIS Online using a map built with vector tile caches. This approach provides fast, accurate map rendering that performs smoothly even under high-demand conditions - an essential advantage in emergency dispatch environments where speed and reliability can directly impact response times.
From Creation to Deployment to Continued Support
Our partnership with the St. Landry Parish Communications District doesn’t end with deployment. The Geospatial Group remains actively engaged with their team to provide ongoing support and ensure the solution continues to meet evolving needs. Whether it's fine-tuning map features, or incorporating new response zones, labels, or local landmarks, we are readily available to assist. This continued collaboration helps maintain data accuracy, system performance, and operational readiness, guaranteeing that the map remains a reliable and effective tool for emergency response.
