Live GIS in the field. Broadband in patrol cars. An integrated suite ahead of its time.
Beginning in the early 2000s, IRIS—the Incident Response Information System—brought current chemical-plume GIS data to responders in Oregon’s Hermiston/Umatilla region. Across an eight-year program, it grew into an integrated suite of software, broadband wireless, OPS Console, cameras, field devices and emergency-center systems.
My role: Original solution architect and developer/integrator; Project Manager / Senior Project Manager throughout continuing development, expansion, deployment, training and operation.
The original proof of concept preceded the regional Wi-Fi network. I connected the modeling and GIS environment to field users over Nextel mobile data, using a Java integration server and a customized SoloField client.
I designed the end-to-end solution, defined the data flow and interface requirements, and developed the Java server and connecting client/server components. I directed the required product changes, integrated the complete chain and proved the solution under actual field and bandwidth constraints.
D2-Puff developers added the GIS-layer export capability in collaboration with me and under my requirements and technical direction. The SoloField team collaborated on the necessary mobile-GIS adaptations. I integrated those contributions into the overall solution I architected and developed.
D2-Puff refreshed the plume file approximately every 10 minutes; the Java server ran independently. A responder’s update request retrieved the latest file and replaced the displayed layer against mapped terrain and satellite/aerial imagery. The same capability ran on emergency-center desktops and field laptops.
The working concept helped establish the viability of the larger program. Federal funding then supported further software development, handheld purchases, regional broadband, cameras and emergency-center integration. Each capability joined the live environment as it was deployed; expansion and operational support continued together.
The integrated capability brought modeled GIS data to people in the field through early cellular service, rugged computers and customized applications—before smartphone-based field workflows and broadband mobile access became routine.
OPS Console was a separate creation developed after the original proof of concept and incorporated into IRIS. It brought responder, resource, incident and patient information into a coordinated operational application.
I originated the product concept, defined the workflows, designed the application and wrote the software. I led another developer during part of the effort, then resumed direct development and personally completed the application.
Registered and tracked responders so command staff could see personnel status and availability.
Presented team availability and operational resource status within the incident picture.
Connected field updates with the operational information needed by command personnel.
Used barcode-based identification and triage workflows to capture and organize casualty information.
Provided visibility into patient status and movement across the response workflow.
Made current status available through the console rather than leaving it scattered across separate reports.
OPS Console was used in formal exercises, tested and ready for an actual incident. The chemical emergency for which the system was prepared did not occur.
The broadband buildout began in Hermiston and expanded to additional cities. Police officers used high-speed wireless on ruggedized laptops in their vehicles. Town-centered Wi-Fi networks were backhauled by microwave into fiber, while cameras and digital video shared the same communications backbone.
A distributed, multi-community public-safety deployment. Contemporary coverage documented the regional wireless infrastructure, digital video, field computing and agency connectivity.
Read contemporary coverage →Held major project responsibilities across expansion, deployment and integration, coordinating agencies, vendors and technical contributors.
Connected the operational requirements across wireless links, microwave/fiber backhaul, servers, GIS, applications and field devices.
Diagnosed and resolved problems across software, servers, connectivity, cameras, devices and real field conditions.
Supported sites, agency users and field systems as more communities and capabilities joined the environment.
Operated the digital-camera server and supported camera/video systems as the installation expanded.
Retrieved, extracted and prepared incident video for police, turning the networked camera system into a practical investigative resource.
Cities were added. Cameras were added and expanded. New applications and devices entered service. Each operational addition became part of ongoing maintenance and support while the next work continued.
The infrastructure buildout was collaborative. I led major technical/project and integration work; other contributors performed site construction, network installation and specialist administration.
Across the eight-year program, I remained central to the work as IRIS grew. Development, field deployment, user training, expansion and operational support overlapped. Every component moved from testing into integrated use—and then into the environment that had to keep working.
I developed the IRIS training program and personally trained all first responders on use of the complete suite—not only plume viewing or handheld operation. Training connected the software, field and emergency-center workflows to operational readiness.
My support crossed wireless sites, microwave/fiber connectivity, servers, GIS, plume delivery, OPS Console, cameras/video, handhelds, laptops and agency users. As responsibilities consolidated, I became the primary day-to-day technical support resource.
The result was not a collection of isolated products: it was an exercised, integrated public-safety environment that kept expanding while remaining operational.
Government archives and technology publications document IRIS and the regional deployment. The Microsoft item provides contemporary platform context.
IRIS, plume maps, rugged handhelds and barcode-enabled field workflows.
Read original sourceGovernment-hosted abstract of the Law Enforcement Technology report: mobile GIS, handhelds and regional wireless.
Read original sourceRegional wireless, Proxim equipment, GIS, digital video and Nextel.
Read original sourceD2-Puff, operations-console functions, cameras and command-center coordination.
Read original sourceMulti-community deployment, long-distance Proxim links and local Wi-Fi access.
Read original sourceContemporary rugged mobile-computing platform context.
Read original sourceDiscuss a role, contract or project involving systems integration, technical program delivery, software, infrastructure, training or operational support.
