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Project Goal

LLUMC:

The AEGIS (Advanced Emergency Geographic Information System) was developed to address several issues within the EMS system. It is hoped that the use of GIS tracking and geographic mapping of the region will provide more accurate real-time information that will improve EMS unit dispatch, patient destination decisions and emergency resource utilization on large scale emergency and disaster incidents. As an example, a sheriff’s air rescue helicopter leaving Loma Linda University Medical Center to head back to its home base, literally flew over a child hit by a vehicle. The county communication center, unaware of the location of the helicopter just leaving Loma Linda, dispatched another helicopter from Anaheim to be the designated transport unit. In the future the county comm. center will have a link to AEGIS which will show accurate status and location of these vital emergency resources. Additionally AEGIS will provide nurses and doctors in the regions emergency department base stations real time information in regards to the diversion status and capabilities of the regions emergency departments therefore improving patient destination decisions and assuring that patients receive the most appropriate care as expeditiously as possible. Communications and resource utilization are often the biggest challenges in managing large incidents. Responding resources often cross city, county and state boundaries and are often on disparate communications systems making coordination a cumbersome process. It is anticipated that the AEGIS along with appropriate tracking devices on the apparatus will give incident commanders an intuitive real-time view of where responding resources are in relation to the incident and will make coordination more efficient and will expedite the ability for commanders to give appropriate tactical assignments.

LLU:

Loma Linda University School of Public Health has established itself as a premiere provider of health geoinformatics training and education for both the emerging and current public health workforce. Loma Linda’s health geoinformatics programs prepare student to apply geospatial information science and technology to public health practice, research, and learning.

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Business Problem Solved

LLUMC:

This system will allow the local county communication center, six base stations, law enforcement agencies, fire, and EMS be an almost real time resource management tool for timely decision-making during both critical disaster and daily operations. This will involve full and total GIS integration for EMS, fire, and law enforcement for resource decision making as well as patient transports.

LLU:

The School of Public perceived a need for this cutting-edge technology. In 1996, the School of Public Health taught the first graduate level GIS course offered at any public health school in the United States. This was followed by a launching in 1998 of the country’s first and only health geographics bachelor’ degree. A graduate level certificate in health geoinformatics, destined to completing existing degrees, was implemented. In 2005, three GIS emphasis tracks were made available to the standard MPH curricula in the areas of global health and development, business administration, and environmental health.

Technology Implemented

LLUMC:

A number of layers are being incorporated by ESRI into this GIS map. With consent and agreement, Loma Linda University Medical Center is using feeds from the California Highway Patrol, Cal Trans, Reddi-net, as well as weather, street, and freeway information. Additional resource information from EMS, fire, and other sources will be used.

LLU:

Loma Linda University is an Earth System Science Education in the 21st Century (ESSE21) institution. This NASA-sponsored collaborative encompasses a diverse interdisciplinary community of faculty and scientists actively sharing learning resources focused on the fundamental understanding and application of geospatial technologies and earth system principles. Under the ESSE31 program, the most recent GIS and remote sensing curriculum components have been added through a collaborative efforts from scientists from LLU’s Schools of Public Health and Science and Technology, and California Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Development Team Biography

LLUMC:

Jeff T. Grange, MD, Medical Director, Emergency Medical Services. Dr. Grange received his training in emergency medicine at LLUMC and became a faculty member in 1997. Throughout his career, Dr. Grange has been active in all aspects of pre-hospital care. He has gained invaluable experience with San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Air Rescue as a reserve deputy, volunteer air medic, and serves ad their medical director as well. He is medical director for Loma Linda University emergency medical bachelor of science degree program, the California Speedway, Symons Emergency Specialities, San Bernardino Marshall’s Office AED program, and SCORE International.

LLU:

Seth Wiafe, MPH, academic director, health geographics programs, School of Public Health. Mr. Wiafe is director of the Loma Linda University health geoinformatics laboratory. Until recently, he served as an international public health GIS coordinator for ESRI’s health and human services solutions group. He also served as the listserv administrator of Pacific Public Health Training Center from May 2000 until April 2005. He is also a medical technologist and served as director of the clinical laboratory sciences at Gimbie Adventist Hospital in Ethiopia between 1992 and 1999. He is involved with both local and international projects relating to GIS applications to health including the African American Health Initiative project of San Bernardino and the Partnership for Quality Medical Donations Global Mapping Project.