I have to prepare a case study for my GIS Mgmt/Policy class. We are suppose to select a company/agency that has already implemented a GIS system and interview them. Desired information runs along the lines of; How did the project get started? , How did you obtain support from management?, Did you conduct a Needs Assessment?, What were the costs and benefits?, etc.

I selected the Colorado Springs Fire Department after reading an article in the local paper about a new system they were implementing. It’s pretty neat and provides a good example of why I have selected GIS to focus my career on. The system is called Automatic Vehicle Locater (AVL) and is said to be the first of it’s kind. Firetrucks will be fitted with GPS devices that monitor their locations and relay information to the city’s central traffic center. As a truck races towards the emergency scene, computers will map out the quickest route to the fire, identify traffic lights along the way and change their timing so they’re green when the truck arrives.

Onboard the fire engine is another computer that not only shows the route to the blaze but allows firefighters to get information about floor plans, building inspections, hazardous materials stored inside, and other important information.

I went downtown yesterday and conducted my first interview. The AVL system is only one of many GIS applications in use by the Fire Department. It was very interesting and confirmed my desire to become a GIS expert.

Today was consumed with winter preparations. We got pelted with a foot of snow last week and single digit temps at night. More or less what you look at as a “wake-up call”. Today was beautiful though, 70 deg and sunny, winds calm. So, we spent the day working on a few things that are much more pleasant to accomplish in nice weather.

I went to Home Depot and got a new rubber strip and some weatherstripping for the garage door. Cut-Snip-Nail and now the north wind should howl on by instead of coming in the garage. Oil changes were needed on both Jeeps. I did Ronda’s and then taught Kristina how to do her own. Kristina has been a willing student for Auto Mechanics 101. Her Jeep needed new rear brakes last month. We changed out the shoes and had the drums turned. Saved her a few $$’s in the process.

Lastly, Ronda’s Jeep got a much needed bath and interior wipe down. It was showing the effects of mountain trips and the sand on the roads after the snowstorm. (R says) It was another gorgeous Colorado day! Made more so with the fellowship of the ones we love. The work accomplished was good too.

The big day is finally here. We all went to the polls and voted this morning. It should be an interesting evening watching the networks report after the last debacle. Hopefully, they will be a little more responsible this time.

I have read that there are approx 10 million more registered voters in 2004 than there were in 2000. That’s encouraging. Now if they would just get out and vote. Apparently, just a little over 50% of the registered voters actually vote. That statistic is pathetic.

The thing that amazes me about the recent elections is how evenly divided they have been. Basically that means that half of the people in this country are seriously confused 🙂

Well, the view out our windows is awesome tonight! We are having our first snowfall! We are excited because we love snow but it also means ‘water in them thar hills’! Yes, we NEED snow and lots of it to continue to lessen the effects of the drought. There is about 4 inches on the ground and it is still snowing. It has been that gorgeous big fluffy stuff. The wind is supposed to kick upover night and blow it around so the world we saw when the trick or treaters came through our neighborhood will not be the same in the morning.

Wish I had bought my new hiking boots so I could go snowshoeing in the morning but haven’t gotten there yet so I will just have to dream about the next snow and wait.

Post from Josh: I had an awesome weekend. It has been a very long time since I have been able to get out and have a good time. If you read the previous article about my Mom’s visit here in Florida, you know that I have been rather ill. My health had been declining gradually for about two years at a slow rate, coming to a very strong crescendo the last month, even thought I been trying to keep up my health with a good diet and exercising with an amazon balance disc at home. Consequently, I have not been able to (or even wanted to) leave my apartment and the safety of my xbox. I have to say that God is an awesome God. I believe that through many people praying for me, as well as having my Mom here to help me get back on track, I have been healed. There is no other way to explain the quickness with which I have recovered. Which brings me back to the title of this post, it feels good to feel good. Or I had an awesome weekend. Or I serve an awesome God. Whichever you like.
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