First Responders Convene for National Summit and Awards on GIS Technology

(PRNewswire) — On August 4th and 5th the National Alliance for Public Safety GIS (NAPSG) Foundation brought together more than 150 of the Nation's public safety leaders and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) professionals for the inaugural National Geospatial Preparedness Summit. The Summit was co-hosted by NAPSG and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in coordination with the National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC), Fairfax County Fire Rescue, and other agencies. The Summit aimed to forge collaboration between first responders and GIS professionals so that technology can be more effectively applied in preparedness nationwide.



NAPSG's Board Chairman, Rand Napoli, explained, "The Summit represents a series of hands-on workshops that have been strategically designed to address some of the most pressing operational and technical challenges the public safety and GIS community faces. It also culminates with a short tabletop exercise where first responders and GIS professionals will put to use the knowledge and skills gained in the first day in a simulated emergency scenario."

On the evening of August 4th there was a separate ceremony for NAPSG's fifth Annual Awards for Excellence in Public Safety GIS. NAPSG's Board of Directors has unanimously selected the recipients of the 2015 Awards. Chief Napoli will present the National award to Mr. Russ Johnson, Director of Esri's Public Safety Industry and the Local award to the Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC). In announcing the selection, Chief Napoli highlighted Mr. Johnson's lifetime accomplishments in mobilizing public safety decision makers to use GIS on a daily basis in their planning and operations. NAPSG's Board voted to recognize the actions that Mr. Johnson took at Esri to formalize the Disaster Response and Assistance Program. Chief Napoli also highlighted the recent success of the Boston Regional Intelligence Center in using GIS to improve planning for the 2015 Boston Marathon, increase prevention efforts, and situational awareness during this year's marathon. He conveyed that the BRIC serves as a model for local and regional law enforcement agencies nationwide.

The reception for the Annual Awards for Excellence in Public Safety GIS was made possible by the generous support of several corporate sponsors, including: HERE, Esri, Ardent Management Consulting, Dewberry, American Modern Insurance, and CSX. The reception was hosted by NAPSG at the Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC. The 2016 National Geospatial Preparedness Summit will be held September 2016 in Olympia, WA.

CONTACT: Rebecca Harned, 202-895-1711 email: Email Contact



To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-responders-convene-for-national-summit-and-awards-on-gis-technology-300122161.html

SOURCE National Alliance for Public Safety GIS Foundation

Source

APWA-Washington Hosts Regional Asset Management Workshop

Feature presentation by event sponsor, Cityworks

Cityworks joined industry leaders and experts from the greater Washington area, sponsoring and presenting at the first ever APWA’s Washington State Chapter Workshop on the fundamentals of asset management. The event was held at the Pierce County Sewer and Traffic Operations Facility on June 24, 2015.

The Asset Management Committee of APWA’s Washington State Chapter hosted the workshop, which featured a presentation from a former elected official about the value of asset management, followed by a look at the state of asset management in America. The full capacity gathering also had the opportunity to review asset management systems, view a Cityworks software demonstration, and participate in a discussion about the current status and the future direction of asset management as it relates to the APWA-Washington Chapter.

“The APWA-Washington Chapter is committed to emphasizing asset management in our industry and supporting members as they learn more about asset management and begin to implement it in their organizations,” said Toby Rickman, chair of the Asset Management Committee. “In order to establish an effective asset management system, organizations must study and embrace the principles and determine how to use them to improve their own processes. This workshop was a great way to start the discussion and learn more from fellow public works professionals.”

“We [Cityworks] were happy to have been a part of APWA’s first asset management committee event,” said Ryen Tarbet, asset management practice lead for Cityworks. “The APWA continues to demonstrate the kind of leadership and guidance public works officials rely on as they address the challenges and responsibilities associated with the amount of infrastructure its members own and operate. And Cityworks is right there to help them accomplish what could otherwise be an overwhelming task. Sponsoring and participating in events like these is right in line with our commitment to public asset management.”

About Cityworks

Since 1996, Cityworks® has been streamlining the way agencies manage public infrastructure and property by combining the asset geodatabase with the business logic of agencies that care for infrastructure and property. An authoritative resource and system of record, Cityworks elevates Esri®’s ArcGIS® Location Platform specifically to manage workflow, schedule resources and prioritize activities—saving time and improving operational efficiencies. Time-tested and proven technology, Cityworks is Empowering GIS® at more than 500 organizations around the world.

Photographs available on request.

For more information, contact:

Camille Ryser

Communications Specialist

Cityworks® – Azteca Systems

801.523.2751

Email Contact

www.cityworks.com

Copyright © 2015 Azteca Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Azteca, Azteca Systems Inc., Cityworks, Cityworks Wireless, MyCityworks.com, cityworks.com, and @cityworks.com are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Azteca Systems Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Source