SAFECOM and NCSWIC Develop California Statewide NG911 GIS Use Case

Author: Josh Black, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Joint SAFECOM-NCSWIC NG911 Working Group Federal Lead

Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities are an essential component of Next Generation 911 (NG911) and improving public safety communications. Implementing and maintaining GIS systems can be challenging because it requires capturing expansive geographic information—from a street intersection in a rural town to aerial images of mountainous terrain—and continually updating systems to capture new building structures. As federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies transition to NG911, they will need to ensure their GIS capabilities meet requirements for NG911.

To help public safety agencies and 911 centers implement GIS capabilities for NG911, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), SAFECOM, and the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC) worked collaboratively with the State of California to develop the California Statewide NG911 GIS Use Case. This use case documents lessons learned from the State of California’s implementation of a statewide GIS as part of their transition to NG911. Paired with the GIS Lifecycle Best Practices Guide for NG911, it provides users with helpful tips for navigating the GIS lifecycle, including developing plans, establishing governance structures, identifying funding mechanisms, and protecting and securing systems and data.

Stakeholders are encouraged to share this document with their respective networks. For questions about the California Statewide NG911 GIS Use Case, please contact ng911wg@cisa.dhs.gov or visit cisa.gov/safecom/next-generation-911 for additional SAFECOM and NCSWIC NG911 resources.