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2026
Beyond the Rubble: A Spatial Perspective on Human Remains Recovery
The discovery, documentation, and tracking of deceased missing persons and human remains (HR) during disasters that employ an Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) component surfaces many challenges to public safety stakeholders across all levels of government. Learn the operational and geospatial best practices driving compassionate outcomes for multi-discipline, multi-agency responses to mass fatality disasters.
Presenter(s):
- Orlando Viera, NAPSG Foundation
You've Got a Drone, Now What?
This hands on session will simulate the hours after a disaster when drone imagery is requested and delivered. Attendees will walk through the process of developing a flight plan and consuming drone imagery into their local GIS systems.
Presenter(s):
- Zico Orozco, MO-TF1/DSAR
Behind the Map: Design for Geospatial Understanding and Impact
Unlock the potential of your maps through the principles of accessibility and design. This session bridges the gap between raw data and clear communication, exploring essential design concepts and effective wayfinding techniques. Learn how to 'superpower' your geospatial products to ensure they aren't just seen, but instantly understood by your intended audience.
Presenter(s):
- Claudine Jaenichen, MA.UK, Chapman University
Harness the Power of the Crowd: NextGen #PhotoMappers
This session will showcase the current technology ecosystem behind PhotoMappers and explore emerging innovations that can elevate rapid volunteer mapping during disasters. Participants will engage in shaping the future technical roadmap for faster, smarter, and more scalable crowdsourced disaster data.
Presenter(s):
- Erin Arkison, GISCorps Core Committee Chair
- Hannah Gonzales-Bridges, GISCorps Core Committee - Disaster Response
SPROUTing Insight: Soft Robotics for Collapsed Structure Mapping
Explore the SPROUT (Soft Pathfinding Robotic Observation Unit) platform and its unique ability to "grow" through complex debris to locate trapped victims. This session showcases cutting-edge research in advanced robotics for Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) operations, highlighting how public safety agencies serve as early adopters of next-generation technology.
Presenter(s):
- Chad Council, MIT Lincoln Labs
The Missing LINK
Discover how the Local Infrastructure Network Knowledge (LINK) tool uses graph databases, data science techniques, and advanced AI to model infrastructure systems. Learn how this tool empowers local agencies with the control needed to visualize complex infrastructure interdependencies and improve community resilience.
Presenter(s):
- Jesse Osborne, NAPSG Foundation
- Kevin Kay, NAPSG Foundation
Coordinates of Chaos: Using GIS Across the Emergency Management Lifecycle
Dewberry will highlight how evolving mission needs, policy shifts, and rapid technology advancements are redefining how organizations collect data, analyze information, and communicate risk. Using recent examples from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Presenter(s):
- Paul Dean, Dewberry - Catherine Bohn, Dewberry
- Amanda Byrd, Dewberry - Victoria Celiberti, Dewberry
The Digital Fireline: NIFC Tools and Tactics for 2026
The National Interagency Fire Center ArcGIS Online Organization (The NIFC Org) provides a unified, no-cost platform for real-time mapping, situational awareness, and standardized data workflow to over 36,000 wildland fire personnel. It supports users throughout the entire lifecycle of a fire, from initial attack to suppression repair to fuels treatment planning to preplanning evacuation zones.
Presenter(s):
- Katie Hansen, US Wildland Fire Service
- Emy Keeling, GISP, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control
A Matter of Semantics
Semantic search doesn’t just look for the words you type, it understands the ideas behind them. Using knowledge graphs, this session shows how AI interprets natural-language questions, how semantic search uncovers meaning that keyword searches miss, and how you can apply the same techniques to make your own data smarter and more intuitive to explore.
Presenter(s):
- Jesse Osborne, NAPSG Foundation
GIS Solutions Pageant
Contestants showcased dashboards, maps, apps, and other geospatial tools they created to solve real-world public safety challenges. Prizes were awarded to the most innovative entries in these three categories:
1) Judges' Choice 2) People's Choice 3) "Well, that's cool!"
Presenter(s):
- Jared Doke, NAPSG Foundation
The Next Frontier of GIS for the Command Center
Explore the latest advancements in GIS and learn how they are transforming command centers and public safety agencies. Discover powerful tools like GeoAI, generative AI, drones with volumetric debris analysis, integrated video, advanced analytics, real-time data integration, enhanced field mobility, and 3D/VR visualization.
Presenter(s):
- Jeff Baranyi, Esri
Modern Tools for Today's Public Safety GIS Analysts
Public safety GIS analysts are expected to deliver accurate, timely insights while supporting a wide range of operational and strategic needs. This session explores how the modern GIS analyst toolkit is evolving to meet those demands, blending established GIS practices with newer tools that improve efficiency, communication, and consistency.
Presenter(s):
- Shelby Zelonis Roberson, Montgomery County Police Department
- John Beck, Esri
Mapping the Future: Building a Professional Public Safety GIS Pathway Together
Help inform the future of GIS professionals in public safety. This session will share findings and solicit input to identify what is needed to support the training and professionalization of the critical role GIS serves in public safety.
Presenter(s):
- Tony Spicci, GISP, GIS Certification Institute
- Tari Martin, GISP, NAPSG Foundation
Improving Productivity and Enhancing Operations in GIS
HERE presents perspectives and practical ideas for better outcomes in your use cases with an interactive session. Speakers discuss: focusing on analysis and mission outcomes rather than data engineering utilizing advanced workflows like route optimization, coverage analysis, traffic modeling, service territory planning, and location intelligence applications the importance of sound metadata and data documentation introducing AI capabilities into your daily work.
Presenter(s):
- James Nenaber, HERE Technologies
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