District of Columbia Z-Axis Study and Summary

Executive Summary

Enhancing Emergency Response Capabilities: Integration of Z-Axis Call and First Responder Information in Emergency Communications Centers

Introduction

The ability to accurately locate emergency callers and first responders is critical for effective emergency response. Traditional location technologies have primarily focused on two-dimensional (X/Y) positioning; however, the integration of Z-axis data enhances situational awareness by providing a vertical dimension to caller and responder locations. This study, conducted by the Arlington County Fire Department, Arlington County Department of Emergency Communications (9-1-1 Center), and the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, evaluates the impact of incorporating Z-axis data into emergency response operations. The study aims to improve emergency responder efficiency, validate the reliability of Z-axis data under high-network-traffic conditions, and explore integration possibilities with existing emergency communication technologies such as Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems. Arlington County partnered with Florian and Next Nav to perform a series of functional testing to evaluate the effectiveness of the additional location information.

Purpose and Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Z-axis data in improving first responder situational awareness and enhancing response times. Specifically, the study sought to:

• Improve first responder capabilities by accurately identifying caller and responder locations in multi-story and below-ground environments.
• Evaluate the integration of Z-axis data with CAD systems to optimize emergency response coordination.
• Assess the reliability and accuracy of Z-axis data in high-traffic, network-congested environments such as the Fourth of July celebrations in Washington, D.C.
• Analyze the benefits of 3D visualization tools in enhancing emergency situational awareness.

Testing Overview and Methodology

Testing was conducted in various environments, including office buildings, metro stations, the National Mall, and the Washington Monument. Cellular Devices from multiple wireless carriers were used to simulate emergency calls and track first responders using NextNav Pinnacle View and 3AM FLORIAN applications. Key test criteria included evaluating the accuracy of Z-axis data, its consistency across different network conditions, and its usefulness in providing real-time situational awareness.

Testing scenarios included:

• Building Navigation: Tracking first responders as they ascended and descended multiple floors within buildings to assess Z-axis accuracy.
• Metro and Underground Testing: Evaluating the effectiveness of Z-axis in subterranean environments with varying levels of cellular connectivity.
• High-Density Public Event Testing: Measuring Z-axis performance during peak cellular congestion at the Washington Monument pre- and post-fireworks event.

Key Findings

• Accuracy of Z-Axis Data: Z-axis data successfully identified first responder and caller locations within 2 feet in controlled environments and within 2 meters in congested conditions when the device had connectivity. Connectivity of the device was a key determinant in helping with location of the 911 caller.
• Resiliency in Network Congestion: While cellular connectivity was intermittently lost in underground and high-traffic areas, Z-axis data remained stable and was accurately restored upon reconnection.
• Enhanced 3D Situational Awareness: The integration of Z-axis data with 3D mapping solutions significantly improved the ability of incident commanders to track first responders in real-time.
• Utility for Multi-Level Event Planning: The ability to track personnel on different floors in real-time proved beneficial for emergency response coordination at multi-story events and high-rise incidents. The discovery of the ability to plan on a 3-D level was identified during the testing by the use of the application and 3D mapping.

Statement on Z-Axis Data from Call Breakdown Analysis:

Analysis of caller location data during testing revealed that between 33% and 58% of callers had their vertical location identified and available during the call process. This finding underscores the potential of Z-axis data in enhancing emergency response operations by providing first responders with crucial vertical positioning information. By leveraging this data, emergency services can improve dispatch accuracy, reduce response times, and enhance situational awareness in multi-story buildings and complex urban environments.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The results of this study highlight the transformative potential of Z-axis data in emergency response operations. The integration of height information into existing 911 and first responder systems enhances location accuracy, improves response efficiency, and provides critical insights for managing emergency incidents in complex environments. Based on these findings, the following recommendations are proposed:

• Adopt Z-axis technology across all Emergency Communication Centers (ECCs) and Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs).
• Enhance CAD systems with Z-axis integration to provide real-time vertical positioning.
• Develop training protocols for first responders to utilize Z-axis data effectively in multi-story and subterranean environments.
• Ensure network resilience in high-density events to maintain uninterrupted access to Z-axis location data.
• Review and explore the use of the new technology in planning of major events where multiple story locations or heights will be identified during the planning.
• Planning of events requires the use of a platform that can identify locations of callers, personnel, individual events, cameras, and other forms of data on an integrated platform for situational awareness.