MnGCA

fsu*noles

Hmm, not sure if this warrants a new thread as I'm not sure if this is new information or not - I'll give it a shot and find out.

So I, like others, responded to the USGS National Map Corps at nationalmap.gov - however, my response was a little different than everyone elses. It sounds like everyone else got a packet in the mail to pick quadrants, whereas I received the following e-mail today from Firewise Minnesota instead...looks like two unrelated (but possibly partnered?) organizations. I'm not sure if I'll receive a packet from the Map Corps, but I'll wait a week or so and find out. In the meantime, I thought I'd pass this info along to see if anyone else got it, or thought it looked interesting, or worthwhile, and wanted to find out more. My apologies if this actually IS the same thing, it doesn't look like it at first blush but I've made bigger mistakes so what the heck. Smile

Thanks...enjoy!

-Ken

Quoting Tom Eiber <tom.eiber@dnr.state.mn.us>:

Re: GPS and Critical Infrastructure

Your communications with USGS have been passed to me.

I am project consultant for Minnesota's Wildfire Risk Mitigation project, locally known as Firewise Minnesota. As part of this project, we as working with a wide array of people and agencies to "map stuff" in Minnesota. Our current protocol identifies some 200+ items and our current "dot count" exceeds 250,000. In a way, you could think of the state, all 54,000,000 acres of it to be the biggest geocaching project around.

Basically, we seek to geolocate items of infrastructure with some level of accuracy. We have been working with the National Map people for over a year now. In addition, we have given briefs to federal and state emergency management and homeland security groups to the tune of a dozen or so. I personally presented a brief to NGA's HIFLD group in DC back in February.

What do we map. I'll attach the full list, but everything from book centers to schools to fire stations to electricical generators to cell towers to boat launches. We make few assumptions on "critical" infrastructure. We figure its only critical when you need it and then its too late. I can locate a e911 post in Pine County at midnight in a snowstorm by using the GPS to navigate to a location. This is essentially "geocaching" so I don't need to elaborate. We have prototyping vehicle units that display the constelaltion of fire hydrants in a community as the fire truck moves along. Wheres the nearest fire hydrant just became a floating multiple choice question.

If you and your group would like to work with us, we'd love to welcome you on board. Take a look at

www.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/firewise

This is a site underdevelopment and does not link to anything yet.

Attached is our current CIAP listing.

We also work with schools and provide GIS software to groups working with us.

Tom Eiber, Project Consultant
Wildland Urban Interface Project
Minnesota DNR - Forestry
500 Lafayette Road, M.S. 44
St. Paul, MN 55155-4044

651.297.3417 (V)
651.296.5954 (F)
tom.eiber@dnr.state.mn.us
www.dnr.state.mn.us/firewise

jambro · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 9:12 pm Post subject:

Do they have badges?? Badges are cool......(sorry, couldn't help myself)

s4xton · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 9:19 pm Post subject:

Woah, Cool! If you're up for it, volunteer! That sounds more exciting than the National Map Corps IMHO.

Thanks for the info!

Wish their online map worked in Safari.

Let us know if you end up going for it or not. I hope someone we know takes interest in it far enough...

-Aaron

KC0GRN · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 22 Feb 2004 Posts: 1424

Sounds interesting, and almost the same idea. Let me know if ya get more infor FSU*noles, I'd be willing to check it out.

Dances With Beehives · Geocacher Joined: 12 Sep 2003 Posts: 671 Location: Chaska

Thanks for passing this on.....I never got my packet, or any word from the USGS....so I'm going to have a look at this.
_________________
...formerly 'dachebo'.

King Boreas · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:40 pm Post subject:

Heh

I gleaned the e-mail address from Ken's post, and sent the following:

>>> "Ian" <kingboreas@hotmail.com> 3/8/2005 1:38:06 AM >>>

Tom,

I am a member of the Minnesota Geocaching Association, and saw some
info posted by Ken, FSU*Noles

If you could put me on your list, or send more info, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

Ian AKA King Boreas

His response:

Wow, quick response, I need to put together some information in a
silghtly altered matter. Give me a day or two to get back to you. Where
are you located?

King Boreas · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 7:29 pm Post subject:

KC0GRN · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 22 Feb 2004 Posts: 1424

fsu*noles · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 9:53 pm Post subject:

Hey, thanks for the positive responses - I will definitely try to pitch in as much as I can on this one. Given the fact that I will be travelling for business from April-November, it won't be much at first - but I will definitely pull my weight as much as I can when home, and definitely after November '05!

Here's Tom's response to me today, it sounds like some kind of general group meeting would be a good way to start with those who are interested. I was very clear in my response that I was NOT speaking for the MNGCA, nor did I represent them as "my group" like he kept saying, but that I was merely an individual looking to help. That being said, it already looks like we have 4 or 5 interested people right now, so I'm sure between us we'll be able to do some good? Here's his reply, lmk what you think - thanks!

-Ken

Quoting Tom Eiber <tom.eiber@dnr.state.mn.us>:

Re: GPS and Critical Infrastructure

Your keen and vibrant response appreciated. I don't see any problem with your posting information, but I'd like the opportunity to "revisit" the text a bit. As far as a broader participation is concerned, wonderful. Its a big state, full of "stuff". Very, very useful information being collected. Wider participation will speed our progress. I love being threatened with "solutions".

I'd very much like to sit down with you and brief you on the project and discuss potential "side bars" that would be of interest to your group. We view the relm of GPS in a broader context including GIS and "mapping", commonly called Geographic Information Technology, ie. GIT. Next week is full of opportunities, if fact, embarassingly empty at this point. Where are you at?

Tom Eiber, Project Consultant
Wildland Urban Interface Project
Minnesota DNR - Forestry
500 Lafayette Road, M.S. 44
St. Paul, MN 55155-4044

651.297.3417 (V)
651.296.5954 (F)
tom.eiber@dnr.state.mn.us
www.dnr.state.mn.us/firewise

GPSr · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:28 pm Post subject:

I may have some time to donate to this project too.
Keep us posted of any meetings.
Jeff

KC0GRN · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 22 Feb 2004 Posts: 1424

I just realized this guy is affiliated with the DNR. Helping out on this might strengthen relations with those guys!

Pear Head · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 4:45 pm Post subject:

It almost seems like one can collect data for both at the same time. My initial impression is that the state is looking for much of the same data as the NMC, only more detailed (fire hydrants for example)? Interesting...

sui generis · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 7:40 pm Post subject:

towlebooth · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 8:54 am Post subject:

I've emailed and volunteered to help within my mapcorps quadrant (and probably a wee bit south near my home. Can't skip the hydrants that are of most importance!

Please keep me in mind for the meetings etc.

Pear Head · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:58 pm Post subject: