The Mapping Specialist

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MSL Develops FatButton™ Fire Finder

Mapping Specialists has partnered with the Madison Fire Department to develop an interactive mapping product that allows firefighters to quickly and easily access map data while responding to emergencies. Before this partnership, MFD used hard copy map books that were updated systematically each year. The concept of the FatButton™ evolved when we first spoke with Assistant Chief Jim Keiken. Chief Keiken explained that the department needed a cost effective electronic system that could be deployed to a large fleet of vehicles.

Chief Keiken explained the issue simply - the MFD has large adults trying to use touch screen mapping software with tiny buttons, in a moving vehicle, on bumpy roads. As a result, firefighters cannot search for an address or pan and zoom easily.

To fully understand these problems, we were strapped in a ladder truck and driven down some of Madison's "finest" roads while trying to use their existing map. The point was clear: few people are able to navigate through standard software or easily use a touch screen while bouncing down the road. First responders need something that is simple, easy-to-use, and affordable for the taxpayers. After assessing the MFD's needs, we developed an approach given these constraints.

We recommended ESRI's GIS software, something with which the fire department was familiar. To our advantage, the city has good GIS data, and touch screen ToughBooks - a virtually indestructible laptop - in every vehicle. What they lacked was a clearly designed interactive map that could be searched by address and functional on a touch screen in a moving vehicle.

Most custom software can cost a few thousand dollars per user, without accounting for developmental costs. To engineer an entirely new software suite is also expensive. Thus, the idea was proposed to use an existing software package that did not have an additional fee for every user. The solution was to re-engineer ESRI technology with customized tools, in the process eliminating an individual seat license.

ESRI products were not designed for touch screens or point-to-point navigation even with embedded customization tools. At their core, much of the functionality existed, although modification was required. We broke the software down into a blank canvas and rebuilt it from scratch with the map being the primary focus. Next we built the tools; there needed to be large, touch screen buttons that are easy to use while being jostled in a truck. Space for large buttons on the program's window is minimal so we could only build tools a firefighter would need to find a fire, navigate to it, and better visualize the destination and the surrounding area.

The final task was to create a custom, speedy, and accurate address search tool that would allow the user to zoom to the listed address, highlight the location on the map, navigate anywhere on the map, and still be able to zoom back again without retyping the location. FatButton was then compiled to a single install CD so the city could simply install the disk in each vehicle.

The end product is a streamlined, easy-to-use regional map viewer for anyone using a touch screen that can be deployed department-wide at a minimal cost. Most importantly, the map can be maintained by the city. These custom-programming services can now be extended to other clients' needs as well.

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