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!!
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.
