"Maptech adds rescue-friendly tools to mapping software" - Rick Hood, Fire Rescue Magazine

"Terrain Navigator at work in the Fire Service" - Charles Chalk, NH Fire Department



I've found Terrain Navigator to be a useful tool. Here are some key functions that will help you do your job, and some ideas to try in training operations:

Quickly Find the USGS Map You Need

There are several ways to find the USGS map you need. You can search graphically or find maps by quad name, place name or reported lat/lon position. USGS maps provide you with a basis to record fires, their locations, and in the case of wildland fires, the acreage and dimensions.

Print Maps

Individual maps may be printed for wildland fire crews, a cost savings compared with purchasing multiple sets of printed USGS maps. You can also create maps as needed in the field.

Pre- and Post- Fire Analysis

Pre-fire planning allows crews to pinpoint target hazard areas, access routes and identify remote water sources.

Locations that require aircraft support can be quickly determined by use of GPS and Terrain Navigator.

Post-fire analysis can determine and record fire locations, acreage or structures burned, and record this data for future recall. Data presented by overhead projector can be used to communicate future funding needs, resource allocation or strategy to government officials.
Plot fire locations and structures that have been involved in a fire. See all the locations on a single map to indicate trends that may not be apparent with street listings.
Train crews to mark perimeters of wildland fires with GPS. Then download the marks into Terrain Navigator for analysis.

Analyze Terrain with Profile, Line of Sight and 3-D Views

Incident commanders can quickly analyze access points, apparatus routes and escape zones.

The 3-D view is excellent for helping to determine expected fire behavior, and to determine exact acreage of a fire on steep slopes.

Aid Fire Investigation

Plot fire locations and structions that have been involved in a fire to help in future fire prevention. See all the locations on a single map to indicate trends that may not be apparent with stree listings.

Training Opportunities

Train crews to follow GPS coordinates and map travel routes by having them radio their locations to the command post.

Train crews to mark perimiters of wildland fires with GPS. Then download the marks in to Terrain Navigator for analysis.

Desktop simulate expected fire behavior based on actual terrain in your community.

Air Operations

Give pinpoint locations to air operations such as spotters or suppression.

Contributed by Charles Chalk

Charles Chalk has almost 20 years of firefighting background, in both wildland and structural. He also has 15 years of fire investigation background. Currently, he is a member of the Hudson, NH Fire Department, teaches as a Staff Instructor for the NH Fire Academy and is a Special Deputy for the NH Forest Fire Service.