Case Studies

Solution With wildfires occurring at least once a year, the Central Okanagan Region recognized the need to build a uniform online communication system for the public that could be accessed on a variety of platforms. However, as a small team, they were also required to work within the confines of limited resources. The Central Okanagan Region teamed up with the City of Kelowna to develop an interactive Web map of unfolding events that could be accessed through the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Web site. The map was created and disseminated using ArcGIS Online: Esri's secure cloud platform that makes a wealth of content readily available including basemaps, data and services to build and share maps and apps. Templates available on ArcGIS Online made it possible to get the map up and running quickly. When a wildfire oc- curs, the EOC draws boundaries for evacuations, which are published to the map and edited as events unfold. Edits are made directly to the geodatabase and automatically reflected in the map, providing the public with live updates. The map can then be accessed through the EOC Web site or downloaded directly from ArcGIS Online. It can also be accessed on almost any mobile device including iPhones, Android and Windows phones as well as shared through Facebook and Twitter. Benefits During the Peachland wildfire, the public was able to access real-time data and incident information directly from the Central Okanagan Region's EOC Web site. More than 40,000 people used the map to access evacuation orders and alerts, helping to reduce panic and improve preparedness. In fact, the map proved so successful that it received national media coverage from Global, CTV and CBC news networks. Leveraging ArcGIS Online allowed the organization to eliminate a significant amount of overhead because the platform is compatible with almost any mobile device, allowing a single map to be created and deployed many times. A link to the map can also be easily distributed to over 1,000 officials and residents who subscribe to EOC email updates. This allows stakeholders, who may be called upon to assist during an emergency situation, to develop an understanding of events prior to arriving on site. Based on the success achieved leveraging cloud GIS technology, the Central Okanagan Region will soon roll out ArcGIS Online capabilities to field staff who will leverage online basemaps to edit attribute data using smartphones and tablets. Visit the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Web map at cordemergency.ca. Cloud GIS technology reduces risk and facilitates response during major wildfire event | Esri Canada 2 Users can access the live emergency Web map from any mobile device to receive the latest evacuation information during an event "The EOC Web site that houses the emergency map was designed to be as easy-to-use as possible. Our main objective was to provide a single source of official information during emergencies. We knew we were successful when the site starting popping up on major news networks in addition to the fact that it received over 80,000 visits following the Peachland fire." Jason Brolund Deputy Fire Chief Kelowna Fire Department

• Cover