GIS and GPS Emergency Response Lessons Learned from the Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster

Figure 1: Space Shuttle Columbia debris recovered through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. Photo by Stephen C. Brown. Click on image to see enlarged.		Figure 2: One of the right-side tires of the Space Shuttle Columbia recovered near Hemphill, Texas. Shuttle debris locations were mapped using GPS. Maps were then developed to guide debris recovery efforts and assess hazardous material. Photo by Stephen C. Brown. Click on image to see enlarged.
Figure 3: A map of shuttle recovery operations throughout the region for April 2003. Click on image to see enlarged.

Three Important Lessons Learned

Need for Training

While low-cost recreational GPS receivers are relatively easy to operate, many users are not aware of the technology's complexities. An important lesson learned in the Columbia recovery effort was the need to train personnel in the appropriate use of GPS. Many of the GPS users were not aware that most receivers could easily be toggled between different coordinate system formats. Even a simple 1-hour instruction on how to use a GPS receiver for data collection, navigation, and coordinate system configuration would have saved countless hours in data conversion.

Need for Uniform Mapping Standard

The many different agencies and organizations involved in the recovery often used different mapping standards, which greatly slowed the production of response maps while data conversions were completed. For example, the Texas National Guard uses the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinate system, while data available from the Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS) is frequently in state plane coordinates. The U.S. Forest Service generally preferred geographic coordinates for its data collection and navigation. Even within the Forest Service, some preferred coordinates in decimal degrees, while others wanted decimal minutes or even degrees, minutes, seconds.

Varying mapping standards are employed by different agencies and organizations to meet their specific needs. However, during emergencies requiring multi-agency cooperation and collaboration, a previously agreed upon uniform mapping standard establishing map projections, coordinate system formats and map datum can greatly streamline efforts.

Need for Capacity to Print Maps Quickly

Perhaps the most important lesson learned was being prepared with sufficient plotters, network capacity, and memory to print large maps quickly. In the Hemphill section of the recovery effort, approximately 4,000 personnel mobilized each morning to search for debris or recover mapped pieces of the Shuttle. Behind the movements of all these individuals were GIS maps developed from the previous day's data. At any given time, there were 3 to 4 GIS personnel making needed maps to support the recovery efforts.

Unfortunately, for the orthophotographic maps most desired by the search teams, printing was excruciatingly slow. Procurement of the highest speed postscript plotters with expanded memory and onboard print spooling is critical to a successful effort.

Opportunities for Extension

While the Columbia disaster was unique in nature and scope, the lessons learned in the experience reveal a unique opportunity for Extension educators to better prepare state and local agencies for emergency response. These opportunities are as follows.

• Conduct workshops for local law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, and volunteers in the fundamentals of Global Positioning System receivers.
• Establish uniform mapping standards among all possible collaborating/cooperating agencies for use during times of emergency. Once these standards are agreed upon, conduct workshops for agency personnel explaining the standards and their importance. Prepare fliers outlining these standards for rapid duplication and distribution during emergency response.
• Determine organizations willing to provide crucial response equipment such as GPS receivers, computers with GIS software/capability, and high-quality large format printers.

These Extension opportunities are relatively inexpensive to implement, but they could prove invaluable in greatly improving emergency response times. Considering the new emphasis on homeland security, there will likely be significant federal funding available to support such Extension projects. It is currently unknown how many Extension educators have extensive knowledge of GIS/GPS technology. However, this number is likely to be relatively high considering programs such as Integrated Pest Management, precision agriculture, and the National 4-H GIS/GPS Team.

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of Stephen F. Austin University for providing GIS resources and analysis that supported the entire recovery effort.

About the Authors

Stephen C. Brown is an assistant professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas. He can be reached online at sbrown@utsa.edu
Shannon Crum is an assistant professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas. She can be reached online at scrum@utsa.edu
V. Stuart Foote is the GIS/GPS Systems Manager at the University of Texas at San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas. He can be reached online at vsfoote@utsa.edu

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