Operationalising GeoNet

David Johnston hosted a meeting today at GNS Science in Avalon attended by representatives of GNS Science, including GeoNet, Massey University, including researchers from the Joint Centre for Disaster Research Kestrel Group and MCDEM.

The meeting focused on two issues - getting the GeoNet product, primarily the isoseismal maps and realtime shake maps into emergency operations centres to support operational decision making as well as exploring a number of research proposals in the pipeline around conducting NZ Based research into effective EOC decision making informed by scientific advice.

This problem was very well illustrated during Ex Ruaumoko, last year which looked at an increase in activity within the Auckland Volcanic Field and a critical decision point around evacuation. The challenge being an inverse relationship between time available and certainty of eruption.

Interoperability and appropriate standards were also discussed with reference to the current MCDEM procurement of an emergency management information system and the need to ensure a common operating picture can be shared across all agencies.

Thanks to David and Sara at GNS for hosting and organising this meeting and hopefully the work this week with GeoNet will establish a real time WFS server feed to Emergeo that other agencies can utilise as well.