Latest Contributions by DonFerguson

‎10-22-2013

Hi everyone... I just posted a new video tutorial for IGT4SAR discussing the importance of Minimum Essential Datasets. Historically we had limited ourselves to paper topographical maps that were static and typically outdated. However, SAR response requires heightened situational awareness of the environment within the search area. This is not only for managing responders in the field but also in understanding how the subject may respond to certain environmental conditions as this understanding could assist in finding the subject. Minimum Essential Datasets help provide situational awareness. They also allow the maps to be dynamic and interactive. And the availability of raster and vector datasets provides opportunities for analysis that were previously unavailable. http://youtu.be/RNO0P3wYakM It is not my best video but informative nonetheless. cheers, Don Ferguson

‎07-31-2013

The relevance to SAR is jurisdiction. At the responder level it may be obvious as to who has jurisdiction within a defined search area. However, when developing briefing material or reporting out details of the incident the responsible authorities and agencies what to know what happened within their jurisdiction. So having spatial layers that represent political and authoritative boundaries is important in developing briefing materials and in making administrative decisions. From the Responders perspective it could also be useful in knowing who to ask for funding. If a organization can show they had a number of incidents within a particular jurisdiction that could have some weight when you want to request funding for training or equipment. My two cents... Don Ferguson

‎12-27-2012

Thanks! Worked like a charm. Happy New Year! Don

‎12-23-2012

Can someone tell me how to access the checkboxes on the Attributes tab of the Editing Options dialog box (see attachment)? I am trying to create an editor extension addin that will select (checkbox enabled) pre-determined layers at the start of an edit session. I am using IAttributeWindow to access the Attribute Dialog Box but I would prefer to use the Editing Options method. thanks!! Don Ferguson

‎12-21-2012

Did you ever get an answer for this? I have the same question!! thanks, Don Ferguson

‎08-31-2012

Hi all... One of the concerns with MapSAR_Ex is that we overburden the GIS technician with data entry. Currently MapSAR_Ex relies on both spatial and non-spatial data to accurately track information during a SAR operation. All of this data is vital to the mission and to prevent data loss and ensure all the information is tracked appropriately we want both spatial and non-spatial data to be stored in the gdb. Robert Pincus has been developing add-ins that should ease the burden for the GIS Tech. I have come up with a complimentary approach thanks to Rick Laing from Ridge Meadows SAR in BC. I have developed an Excel workbook that has a number of worksheets that are complimentary to the Tables and Features Classes within the SAR_Default.gdb. The workbook even incorporates a number of drop-down lists similar to the Domains in the gdb. Now someone running Excel on another PC can fill in tables for Subject Information, Incident Information, Team Members, Assignments, etc (all the non-spatial information). This data can then be loaded into the MapSAR_EX Incident gdb using the Load Data Wizard in ArcCatalog. This workflow significantly reduces the burden on the GIS Tech who can then focus on spatial analysis and task generation. The SAR_Default.xls is included in the new Incident folders and some instruction is included on the first worksheet, although I need to improve it. Keep in mind that some of the data fields are different between MapSAR and MapSAR_Ex so the xls file will not work with standard MapSAR without some modifications. I would really like to explore how this could be used with ESRI Maps for Office!! I have loaded an updated version of MapSAR_Ex to the ArcGIS Online site: http://www.arcgis.com/home/group.html?owner=PaulDoherty&title=Using%20GIS%20in%20WiSAR or you can download it from DropBox: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17428269/MapSAR_Ex.zip You can also download a copy of the SAR_Default.xls from DropBox: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17428269/SARDefault.xls There are a few small bugs I am still trying to work out and I am working on some additional Projection for other parts of the globe and should have those soon. As always, let me know if you have any questions. cheers, Don Ferguson

‎08-22-2012

Hi All... I put together a short primer on the use of statistical search area and some of the of models now possible using GIS. Have a peek. Let me know if you have any comments or questions. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17428269/StatisticalSearchArea.pdf cheers, Don

‎08-21-2012

Hi all... MapSAR_Ex currently works in both 10.0 and 10.1. cheers, Don

‎08-09-2012

In this latest version I repaired a bug in the 10.0 version. Version difference are indicated with either a 101 (for 10.1) or 100 (for 10.0). I also added more error checking throughout many of the tools. For our Northern friends in Canada I added options for kilometers (in addition to miles) for Statistical Search Area as well as added a few more projections. Now have projections for UTM zones 1 - 22. For this update you will want to replace the contents of C:\MapSAR_Ex. Save any Incidents you created and replace content. BTW...the incidents can be saved in any folder doesn't need to be C:\MapSAR_Ex. If I hadn't mentioned it before, user can now simultaneously create a task assignment form, task specific field map and task specific GPX file for gps upload. download from: http://www.arcgis.com/home/group.html?owner=PaulDoherty&title=Using%20GIS%20in%20WiSAR or Dropbox: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17428269/MapSAR_Ex.zip Sorry for all the updates but you are my code buggers for things that I miss. This gets the updates out to you quicker. please let me know if you find any bugs, have any questions or comments. If you need support during a SAR don't hesitate to e-mail or call. e-mail: dferguso@mix.wvu.edu cellphone: 304-290-9118 cheers, Don Ferguson

‎08-07-2012

If you need assistance with MapSAR_Ex you can call (304-290-9118) or e-mail me directly (dferguso@mix.wvu.edu). thanks, Don Ferguson

‎08-07-2012

Let me know if you need any assistance with MapSAR_Ex. thanks, Don

‎07-27-2012

Hi... I would like to automate the North Arrow rotation (to create a mag north arrow) using a Python script. Is it possible to access the "Rotation" of the GRAPHIC_ELEMENT using a call from arcpy.mapping.ListLayoutElements? thanks, Don

‎07-11-2012

Hi All... I have just finished a major update to the MapSAR_Ex project. MapSAR_Ex expands on the capabilities of MapSAR by adding Search Theory and analytical tools. You can download MapSAR_Ex from here: http://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=53e2cc1e61364a5eb7a9b3ac8b8e944f An incomplete tutorial is provided in the documentation which can also be downloaded from here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17428269/MapSAR_Ex_Tutoral.pdf A more complete tutorial is forthcoming. cheers, Don Ferguson

‎02-14-2012

Hi Jonathon... You may also be interested in the slides I put together regarding the next generation of MapSAR http://dl.dropbox.com/u/45911854/AppOfGIS2WSAR.pdf This includes several analytical tools and the application of search theory to help track search effectiveness (such as cumulative POA, POS, etc). Also added the ability to auto-generate task assignment forms for field teams directly from features such as search segment. There is a lot of potential for expanding the role of GIS in SAR and I would encourage your involvement. cheers, Don Ferguson

‎05-13-2011

I think I have it working now. This was a statement in the original script: codeblock = '''def pullDistance(distL, *fids): return min([i for i, j in zip(distL, fids) if j != -1])''' I changed it to the following: codeblock = '''def pullDistance(distL, *fids): return min([i for i, j in zip(distL, fids) if j == 1])''' and now it seems to be working. Not sure if this fix is universal though.

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Latest Contributions by DonFerguson

IGT4SAR Video Tutorial - Minimum Essential Dataset

Re: Political Affiliation Data?

Re: Help!!! Access Editing Options checkbox

Help!!! Access Editing Options checkbox

Re: Using the Attribute Window as a Dialog

Relief with data entry - MapSAR_Ex

Statistical Search Area

Re: MapSAR will not work with ArcGIS 10.1

Re: MapSAR_Ex

Re: Getting Help on Active SAR

Re: MapSAR_Ex

North Arrow rotation using arcpy.mapping

MapSAR_Ex

Re: Introduction - GIS User for Search & Rescue

Re: Multiple ring buffer error