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Here's a pretty cool--and timely--Virtual Earth application that was just brought to my attention: FireLocator from Pitney Bowes uses Microsoft Virtual Earth to visualize fire outbreak data to augment situational awareness for users. In addition to mapping the locations of fires, the application provides additional data acquired across government agencies and from across web sources such as flickr.
Below is detail from a Pitney Bowes announcement on FireLocator. You can test drive FireLocator yourself here.
Virtual Earth is at its best when it is helping government better serve constituents, whether that is through a common operational picture that allows agencies to better prepare and respond to emergency situations or through web portals that better inform citizens.
FireLocator is one of those Virtual Earth applications that has the potential to do both. -=Virtual Jerry
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FireLocator is an application created by Pitney Bowes Advanced Concepts and Technologies (AC&T) in collaboration with Pitney Bowes MapInfo. Currently released in Beta at FireLocator.net, this free, state-of-the-art site disseminates timely critical wildfire data and information to the public. FireLocator integrates data from multiple sources to provide users with comprehensive views of both current and past wildfires. By entering a target address in the address bar, users are able to mark a location of interest on the map using Pitney Bowes MapInfo’s geocoding technology. This allows users to track fires around a specific address, neighborhood, or area of interest.
Data sources integrated on FireLocator include:
NASA Modis Data
NASA’s MODIS (or Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer) is a key instrument aboard the Terra (EOS AM) and Aqua (EOS PM) satellites. The data captured by these satellites include geothermal differences on the earth’s surface. This use of geothermal imaging shows hotspots that are likely to be wildfires.
Incident Information System (InciWeb)
InciWeb is an interagency information site that provides point information regarding the location of wildfires. InciWeb is a combination of data and information gathered from multiple government agencies. The data provided is accurate and updated frequently.
GeoMac Multi Agency Coordination (GeoMac)
GeoMac is an interagency website that provides fire perimeter data from various incident intelligence sources (e.g. GPS data, Infrared Imagery). GeoMac data is often updated on a daily basis, ensuring accuracy.
California Wild-Fire Zones
The multiple components of MapInfo Risk Data Product Suite combine to give a detailed picture of the natural disaster history & potential risks in a region. FireLocator integrates with the wildfire component of this data to show classifications based on DRAFT model results for Fire Hazard Severity Zoning (FHSZ) developed in January 2007.
Draft data and maps for FHSZ in State Responsibility Area (SRA) have been updated and have been the subject of public hearings in 56 counties. These revised (“proposed”) maps can be found on the CAL FIRE web site. Underlying Technology
The FireLocator user interface was created using Microsoft Virtual Earth and Microsoft Silverlight RIA (Rich Internet Application) technology. The geocoding and integration of data layers and thematic mapping is provided directly by Pitney Bowes MapInfo’s Envinsa Location Platform. FireLocator combines public data and mapping information with key location intelligence tools to provide accurate, up-to-the-minute data, enabling users to make quick and informed decisions in the most critical times.

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