Secure Funding For Critical Incident Digital Mapping Under the Secured School Safety Data Grant Program

What is critical incident digital mapping and how does it work?

Critical incident digital mapping, which we often refer to as Collaborative Response Graphics® (CRGs), combine a gridded reference system, high-resolution imagery, floor plans that are verified by a walk through, floor plans, and critical features to create accurate and real-life depictions of facilities and their surroundings. By providing law enforcement and first responders with crucial information, they enhance response time and help navigate the scene efficiently.

What criteria must critical incident digital mapping meet according to Indiana Code 10-21 and House Bill 1492?

According to 2021 Indiana Code 10-21 and House Bill 1492, critical incident digital mapping must meet the following criteria:

• Includes accurate floor plans overlaid on or current aerial imagery of a school building or school plan with surrounding school grounds
• Includes site-specific labeling that matches:
  • The structure of the school building, including room labels, hallway names, room numbers, external doors, interior doors, stairwell numbers, locations of hazardous materials, key utility locations, key boxes, automated external defibrillators, and trauma kits; and
  • the school grounds, including parking areas, athletic fields, surrounding roads, and neighboring properties;
  • Be compatible with platforms and applications used by local, state, and federal public safety agencies;
  • Be verified for accuracy through a walk through of a school building and school grounds;
  • The law enforcement agency and fire department that have jurisdiction over the mapped school buildings; and
  • The statewide 911 system described in IC 36-8-16.7-22 through the public safety answer point, or “PSAP”, (as described in IC 36-8-16.7-20) that has jurisdiction over the mapped school buildings.
• Does not require the purchase of additional software for use
• Accessible in a printable format;
• Can be shared with:
  • The law enforcement agency and fire department that have jurisdiction over the mapped school building; and
  • The statewide 911 system as described in IC 36-8-16.7-22 through the public safety answer point, or “PSAP”, described in IC 36-8-16.7-20 that has jurisdiction over the mapped school building; and
• Be kept confidential and withheld from public disclosure.

Who benefits from critical incident digital mapping?

Critical incident digital mapping benefits both law enforcement and educational institutions. For law enforcement, critical incident digital mapping enables coordination and collaboration, resulting in faster response times and decisive actions during crises. Educational institutions can enhance their emergency preparedness with critical incident digital mapping, ensuring efficient action plans and minimizing response time.

Who is eligible for the Secured School Safety Grant Program in Indiana?

Eligible applicants include school corporations, accredited non-public (i.e., private) schools, charter schools and coalitions of school corporations applying jointly located in a county that have a county school safety commission.

Before applying for the grant under Indiana Code 10-21-1-5, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Memorandum of Understanding: Each school corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic school must have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in place with a community mental health center established under IC 12-29-2 or a provider certified or licensed by the state to provide mental or behavioral health services to students. This MOU requirement applies before applying for a grant, and the provider can be employed by the school corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic school.
• Site Vulnerability Assessment: Each school corporation, charter school, or accredited nonpublic school must conduct a site vulnerability assessment for each school building used by the organization before applying for a grant under this chapter.

Do you have successful case studies of critical incident digital mapping implementation?

Yes, there have been successful case studies in various states and districts. For example, Wisconsin schools received $5 million in funding for crisis response mapping data, Delaware and New Jersey had all of their public and private schools mapped and Virgina has had over 90% of their schools mapped by Critical Response Group.