GeoDecisions Technology Supports Hurricane Katrina Disaster Recovery
September 23, 2005/Harrisburg, Pa.: The U.S. military is using IRRIS® technology, a Web-based transportation security and logistics application, to coordinate the movement of military cargo during the Hurricane Katrina disaster recovery efforts.
GeoDecisions, a leading information technology (IT) and geographic information system (GIS) consulting firm, developed patented IRRIS technology for military and homeland security agencies to deploy armed forces and emergency personnel and to manage the movement of cargo on a global basis. The U.S. Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) and the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) have been the primary users of the system for the Katrina emergency.
IRRIS technology integrates and displays critical information about transportation infrastructure – including roads, bridges, tunnels, and dams – as well as real-time weather, traffic, and real-time vehicle locations. The technology also features Total Asset Visibility (TAV) and In-Transit Visibility (ITV) functions for transportation logistics and real-time tracking.
Since the recovery efforts began, the IRRIS application has been updated to incorporate new enhancements and information specifically related to the Katrina emergency. For instance:
- IRRIS security staff expedited basic user access to IRRIS for U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Army National Guard (ANG) users on a temporary basis.
- IRRIS incorporated up-to-date satellite imagery of the city of New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico coastline from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).
- IRRIS has new data feeds of transportation-related classified and unclassified situation reports (SITREPS) pertaining to the relief effort.
- A new IRRIS syndicated news widget provides up-to-date information from FOX and CNN, and a new IRRIS FEMA emergency documents widget allows easy access to SITREPS, PowerPoint presentations, and other documents related to the relief effort.
- IRRIS incorporated major supply routes, including interstate and U.S. highway routes, designated for the Katrina relief effort.
- The classified version of IRRIS provides classified imagery of the Gulf Coast.
“GIS technology can make critical contributions to protecting our nation and responding to catastrophic events,” said Robert M. Scaer, president of GeoDecisions. “GeoDecisions is proud to have our application support this critical emergency situation. We will continue to explore new opportunities to advance the evolution of this technology.”
Please contact Ali Detar at 717-763-7211 x2272 or adetar@geodecisions.com to schedule a demo of IRRIS technology and view how the system supports Katrina relief efforts.
GeoDecisions’ experienced staff of professional consultants, analysts, and developers supports clients across the United States. Fundamental to the company’s award-winning approach is the integration of spatial information to empower existing systems and processes. GeoDecisions’ philosophy is based on an enterprisewide approach to the integration of diverse information technologies, data formats, and systems.
GeoDecisions is ISO 9001:2000 certified for its operations nationwide.