Links and Resources
For Data Interoperability Tools in Maryland

From 2003 through 2006, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security, MEMA, Maryland’s Department of Transportation, Towson University, and MSGIC worked together to firmly establish GIS as an indispensible technology tool for disaster management. Through a Department of Homeland Security Information Technology Evaluation Program grant (ITEP), the prototype Maryland Emergency Geographic Information Network (MEGIN) was developed.

The following historic information pertains to the data collection effort conducted by the MEGIN working group. Further funding to move MEGIN from prototype to production was not available. The data survey specific to MEGIN is closed, but the information remains on the MMRG Web site to provide the historical background for Maryland’s ongoing effort to coordinate Maryland’s valuable GIS resources.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is EMMA^©?
• What is CIMS Software?
• How do EMMA^© / CIMS / HSIN fit together?
• How do I participate?
• Why should I participate in the Data Survey?
• How does the Data Survey work?
• What is the timeline for this effort?
• What is being done to secure the data I will share?
• What will be done with the survey information that I provide?
• Who is coordinating interoperability issues in Maryland?
• Who do I contact for more information?

Links to More Information

Articles
	Homeland Security and Geographic Information Systems	An FGDC article describing how GIS and mapping technology can save lives and protect property in post-September 11th America
	E-Gov Press Release (July 10, 2003)	Administration's Homeland Defense Web Site Showcased in Emergency Operations Drill for First Responders in Laurel, Maryland
	TechTalk@TU Article (March 29, 2004)	Towson University's Office of Technology Services article describing TU's involvement with EMMA in Maryland
	Department of Homeland Security Press Release (September 20, 2004)	The Department of Homeland Security awarded $9 million in information technology demonstration projects in the Information Technology and Evaluation Program (ITEP).
	TU article on security grant from DHS (September 30, 2004)	Towerlight article on a grant that will enable Towson University to develop the Maryland Emergency Geographic Information Network MEGIN.
	Article on MEGIN Grant from DHS (November 8, 2004)	Maryland Municipal league publication on the Department of Homeland Security Grant for Maryland Emergency Geographic Information Network MEGIN
Data
	Sample list of databases useful for ER activities	A list of databases that are useful for the emergency mangement community
	Sample data sharing MOU	An example agreement that enables data sharing for homeland security purposes
	Letter from Governor's Office of Homeland Security	A request from the Governor's Office of Homeland Security to State agencies and offices requesting participation in the data inventory for EMMA
	Emergency Management Symbology Reference	Homeland Security Working Group Symbology Reference
	MEGIN Performance Measures	A look at high level tasks underway for MEGIN, December 2004.
Key Stakeholders
	Governor's Office of Homeland Security	Strategic policy, guidance, and coordination for interoperability in Maryland
	Maryland Emergency Management Agency	Lead agency for functional requirements and user needs for information systems and data resources
	Towson University Center for GIS	Systems integrator for Geographic Information Systems capabilities.
	Maryland State Geographic Information Committee	Technical and programmatic assistance to support cross jurisdictional coordination, review, and assessment of geospatial systems and data
Presentations
	GIS at the State Emergency Operations Center: Lessons Learned during Hurricane Isabel	Powerpoint presentation summarizing GIS Lessons Learned during Hurricane Isabel as presented at Towson University's 2004 GIS Conference
	Homeland Security GIS in Maryland (9.12.05)	Overview of GIS activities related to Homeland Security and Emergency Management in Maryland. (Presented at the ESRI Homeland Security Summit)
	EMMA and MEGIN - GIS Tools for Emergency Management (9.11.05)	Powerpoint presentation describing EMMA and MEGIN.
	WebEOC / EMMA / MEGIN Walkthrough	Screenshots of Maryland's "Suite of Tools" for emergency management: WebEOC, EMMA, and MEGIN
Reports
	MEGIN Final Report	Development of the MEGIN pilot was funded by the Department of Homeland Security Information Technology and Evaluation Program.
	Geographic Information Systems and Emergency Management: Lessons Learned During Hurricane Isabel	A "lessons learned" document describing Towson University's experience at the Maryland State Emergency Operations Center during Hurricane Isabel in September 2003.
	Mapping the Risks: Assessing the Homeland Security Implications of Publicly Available Geospatial Information	RAND Corporation Report (Report # MG-142)
	Maryland User Needs Assessment Draft Report	Draft report (and attachments) of a workshop held on November 13, 2003 to conduct a user needs and requirements analysis for information and maps to support Emergency Management applications.
	DHS National Geospatial Preparedness Needs Assessment	Report by the Department of Homeland Security that serves to identify the current state of geospatial preparedness among state, local and tribal Homeland Security stakeholders.
	Guidelines for Providing Appropriate Access to Geospatial Data in Response to Security Concerns (September 7, 2004)	Guidelines released by National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) that provides managers of geospatial information with guidelines for identification and dissemination of information that could pose a risk to security.
Technology
	EMMA Information Sheet	A brief white paper describing EMMA functionality and technology
	MEGIN	MEGIN was developed by the Towson University Center for Geographic Information Sciences on behalf of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency through a DHS ITEP grant.
	MEGIN Video	Watch a brief video depicting the capability to search for, publish, and manage accessibility to distributed data in MEGIN.
Web Sites
	DisasterHelp.gov	This DisasterHelp.Gov website is an initial deployment that will become part of a larger initiative aimed at greatly enhanced Disaster Management on an interagency and intergovernmental basis.
	Geodata.gov	A one-stop portal for federal, state & local geographic data. Part of the federal geospatial one-stop E-Gov initiative.
	Maryland Mapping Resource Guide	Maryland's one-stop portal for state and local geographic data