This article was reprinted from the 2002-2003 DAS Biennial Report.

OGRIP aids homeland security
-- ITSD Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program,
   July 2003

In support of homeland security and emergency response preparedness, the Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program (OGRIP) created an action plan regarding the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology for the State of Ohio Security Task Force.

In conjunction with these recommendations, OGRIP worked closely with state and local governments during the biennium to identify Ohio's critical infrastructure that supports emergency response personnel as well as public health and safety agencies at all levels of government.

OGRIP is collecting this information to ensure emergency responders have timely and reliable access to the best, most appropriate, geographically coded data available. This bolsters Ohio homeland security efforts and increases cooperative partnership opportunities among all levels of government, saving taxpayer dollars.

OGRIP also is expanding the spatial data currently accessible through the Ohio Spatial Data Clearinghouse.

OGRIP, through the eSecure Ohio initiative, also developed a plan to create the Location-Based Response System, a multi-jurisdictional statewide asset to help ensure rapid response to natural and man-made disasters. This system focuses on the key concept of vertical integration - simply put "capture it once, use it a bunch."

In addition to these homeland security initiatives, OGRIP continued to provide quality geocoding services through the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Support Center. Geocoding is the process of taking an address and determining its location. This service standardizes the address, locates its physical location in Ohio and provides the ability for performing spatial analysis.

For example, geocoding services also are used by the Ohio Department of Health for event tracking and monitoring to determine the potential spatial relationship between health-related incidents. The Ohio Department of Public Safety is using this service to ensure collected revenues are going back to the appropriate jurisdictions. The Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services uses geocoding to support Prevention Services for under-age drinking. In addition, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services officials use this service to ensure appropriate provider coverage for service recipients.

Offering centralized geocoding services saved the state approximately $638,805 over a two-year period.