Geographic Information Technologies for Emergency Preparedness and Response

Course Registration Fee: US$75
Checks Payable to: RCUH-2153
No cancellations. Registration fees are Non-refundable and Non-transferable.

Course Description:

ESRI trademarks used herein by license from ESRI This four-day course introduces participants to geographic information system (GIS) and global positioning system (GPS) technologies and their applications to emergency management, preparedness and response. The course consists of three modules, including an introduction to GIS concepts, data formats and ArcGIS software; mobile GIS applications using GPS, PDAs and ArcPad to collect field data; and GIS mapping and analysis applications using ArcGIS software and internet mapping tools. Course is applicable to a variety of health professions, first responders and disaster managers and is designed to enhance awareness, understanding and decisionmaking through the use of GIS technology and digital mapping.

Target Audience:

Health professionals, first responders, disaster managers and related professions. No previous experience is required other than familiarity with windowing software.

Course Objectives:

By the conclusion of this workshop, students will:

Discuss and explain the significance of using GIS technologies as practical tools in emergency management, preparedness and response fields.
Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to integrate mapping, spatial reasoning and decisionmaking into their professions.
Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts, techniques and best practices related to GIS mapping and analysis and mobile GIS data collection.
Participate in field data collection exercises using GIS software and GPS technology.
Participate in scenario-based exercises using GIS as a tool for emergency management and response.

Module 1: Introduction to ArcGIS 9.2 (16 hours)

GIS Classroom Module 1 consists of the ESRI -authored course, Introduction to ArcGIS I (for ArcView 9.x, ArcEditor 9.x and ArcInfo 9.x). This course combines lectures and hands-on software exercises as outlined in the table below. Participants will learn fundamental GIS concepts, how to search for, recognize and work with various GIS and tabular data formats, how to query and analyze GIS data, and how to create maps. The class is conducted by an ESRI authorized ArcGIS Instructor. Participants completing the module will receive a Certificate of Completion from ESRI.*

Lectures:	Exercises:
1. Introduction	1. Install the class database
2. Exploring GIS Concepts	2. Explore a sampling of GIS concepts
3. Displaying Data	3. Display data
4. Querying your Database	4. Query your GIS Database
5. Working with Spatial Data	5. Explore spatial data formats
6. Working with Tables	6a. Relate and join tables
	6b. Create a graph and report in ArcMap
7. Editing Data	7a. Edit features with the Editor toolbar
	7b. Edit attribute data
8. Working with Georeferenced Data	8. Work with map scale and projections
9. Presenting Data	9. Create a map

* To receive a certificate of completion, participants are required to attend 90 percent of the ArcGIS I course.

Module 2: Mobile GIS Data Collection (8 hours)

GIS/GPS Training This module focuses on mobile GIS data collection tools, techniques and applications to emergency preparedness and response. Participants will learn how the global positioning system (GPS) works as well as how to collect and download position measurements and feature attributes using a GPS receiver. In addition, participants will gain hands-on experience using GPS receivers with PDAs and ArcPAD software to take GIS data into the field, update it, and return it to the GIS database. Throughout the module, participants will learn best practices for implementing GPS data collection and mapping.

Module 3: GIS Mapping and Analysis (8 hours)

GIS Classroom This module will demonstrate how health professionals, responders and managers can utilize GIS mapping and analysis as well as internet mapping applications as practical tools for addressing a variety of emergency management, preparedness and response issues. Participants are presented with emergency scenarios and will use ArcGIS and internet mapping applications to enhance understanding, decisionmaking and incident reporting. The following scenarios and hands-on exercises are designed to familiarize participants with fundamental mapping and GIS analysis techniques. Scenarios and exercises are subject to change depending on participants' interests.

Scenarios:		Exercises:
1.	Applications to Emergency Preparedness and Response	Discuss scenarios, metadata and applications
2.	Geocoding & Mapping Health Resources	Convert address database of health facilities to a GIS data layer of georeferenced points
3.	Hurricane Shelter Analysis	Determine affected populations for different hurricane strengths, estimate evacuee population, plan shelter usage
4.	Dengue Fever & West Nile Virus Surveillance and Mitigation	Map occurrences, mosquito and bird ranges, and identify potential breeding areas for spraying
5.	Chemical Terrorism Risk Assessment	Map evacuation zones, analyze potential chlorine gas exposure areas and determine at-risk population
6.	Vaccine Supply Line, Accessibility and Service Area Assessments	Find best routes, closest accessible vaccine facilities, and determine emergency vaccine facility service areas
7.	SARS Tracking & Quarantine Assessment	Map occurrences, track spread, analyze hotspots
8.	Tsunami Risk Assessment	Assess areas, populations and properties at risk
9.	Hawaii Natural Hazards and Vulnerabilities Atlas (Pacific Disaster Center)	Tour and learn how to use the Pacific Disaster Center's internet mapping tool for risk awareness and assessment

Course Instructors:

Phil Page, MA ( bio )
John Vogler, MA ( bio )

January - July 2008 Schedule:

Please confirm dates & available seats with Pacific EMPRINTS.

1)	Honolulu, Oahu	Jan. 29-Feb. 1, 2008	Univ. Hawaii Manoa
2)	Honolulu, Oahu	February 26-29, 2008	Univ. Hawaii Manoa
3)	Honolulu, Oahu	March 11-14, 2008	Univ. Hawaii Manoa
4)	Honolulu, Oahu	May 6-9 , 2008	Univ. Hawaii Manoa
5)	Honolulu, Oahu	July 22-25, 2008	Univ. Hawaii Manoa

Course Registration Information:

Contact Ivy Takahashi, at sonomitakahashi@gmail.com or by phone at 808.956.9490, or
Anna Daddario, Continuing Education Specialist, at annadaddario@gmail.com or by phone at 808.956.0895.

Course Content Information:

Contact John Vogler, 808.956.9549, john.vogler@hawaii.edu, or Phil Page, 808.956.0891, phpage@hawaii.edu.