ESRI PowerPoint Master Template 2008

Module 1: Collecting Field DataUsing Handheld GPS devicesClass Materials posted at:

https://drive.google.com/a/nps.gov/?tab=mo#folders/0B03Sh0M9Jh3eNmh2blgxY1IxX3c

This & the rest of the webinars this week were originally presented to the Rocky Mtn Fire Management staff & Alpine Hotshot on May 1st.

Class materials posted at:https://drive.google.com/a/nps.gov/?tab=mo#folders/0B03Sh0M9Jh3eNmh2blgxY1IxX3c

Disclaimers:This GPS webinar not intended to convey the basics of the Global Positioning System & how GPS works but is intended for simple data collection on incidents and how that data is transferred to or by the GISS on the incident. The GIS shop on incident is part of the Planning Section and specifically works in the Situation Unit for the Situation Unit Leader (SITL). This is also not intended to be a course on the basics of the Incident Command Systemif you are interested in that do a search on ICS 100. (http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=is-100.b)This is for simple data collection on incidents using Garmin GPS units. Not an endorsement of Garmins per se but Garmins are used in the GPS for Fire Management 2 day class. Also, DNR Garmin and now DNRGPS work with Garmin receivers and these are free programs from MN Dept of Natural Resources. (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mis/gis/DNRGPS/DNRGPS.html)1Module 1: Collecting Field DataUsing Handheld GPS Devices, cont.Dave HammondIMR Fire & Aviation MgmtFire GIS Specialist303-969-2953dave_hammond@nps.govSkip EdelNIFCNatl Spatial Fire Analyst303-969-2947skip_edel@nps.govChristina Fern FernerconsultantGISS

christina_ferner@contractor.nps.gov

This & the rest of the webinars this week were originally presented to the Rocky Mtn Fire Management staff & Alpine Hotshot on May 1st.

Disclaimers:This GPS webinar not intended to convey the basics of the Global Positioning System & how GPS works but is intended for simple data collection on incidents and how that data is transferred to or by the GISS on the incident. The GIS shop on incident is part of the Planning Section and specifically works in the Situation Unit for the Situation Unit Leader (SITL). This is also not intended to be a course on the basics of the Incident Command System if you are interested in that do a search on ICS 100.This is for simple data collection on incidents using Garmin GPS units. Not an endorsement of Garmins per se but Garmins are used in the GPS for Fire Management 2 day class. Also, DNR Garmin and now DNRGPS work with Garmin receivers and these are free programs from MN Dept of Natural Resources. 2GPS Module ObjectivesSet-up a Garmin GPS receiverReview best practice for collecting tracks and waypointsDownload data from GPS using DNR GPSView data using Google EarthProvide quality data to the SIT unitObjectives for this module includes basic set up of the Garmin including position format, datum, time zone & time format.Setting up for track log collection, the various options and implications and recommendations for waypoint collectionHow to download this data using DNR GPS and send it to GIS format or into Google EarthProviding this data to the situation unit.3GPS Set-Up

The receivers configurations are in Main Menu and Setup MenuAccess by pressing Menu Menu Then select Setup and press Enter

The setup items of primary interest include:1- System 2- Units 3- Time

Before you begin know the mission and the type of data to be collectedEquipment Select appropriate GPS receiver for the mission. Again, this webinar concentrates on simple features for incident management. Points like Drop Points, water sources, safety zones and line features like fire perimeters. Features that dont need a high degree of accuracy (meter or sub-meter). If that is needed or if there are a complex set of attributes that need to be collected, a Garmin is not the tool to use. Use an external antenna whenever possible. Adequate batteries or power source. Paper map and compass. Notebook and pencils. GPS metadata form.

Prepare GPS receiverIf using a Garmin unit, check the firmware is up to date using the WebUpdater at http://www.garmin.com/us/support/ Set datum and coordinate system to incident standard. double check with the GISS on the incident if necessary. What coordinate system and datum are being used on incident maps. Check correct time zone for location Update receiver almanac for the local area. Leave unit in a place on with good view of sky to update almanac, especially if unit has been off for days or weeks and/or if moved >300 miles from previously used location. WAAS enabled? Download and delete old waypoints, active log and saved tracks if not needed to clear memory. Set up Track Log collection interval based on method of travel and speed, and size of area to be mapped. Verify all GPS settings are correct prior to mission.4GPS Set-Up System Menu

Use GPS with WAAS Enabled in the US

About WAAS in US.In the System menu to Enable WAAS. (Example screenshot shown with GPS Off when unit is turned on indoors)

Recommended to have WAAS Enabled when in the US. WAAS works in North America.See link for further understanding of WAAS but WAAS provides better positional accuracy when turned on.

5GPS Set-up - Datums

Verify which datum & coordinate system are being usedWhen receiving or providing coordinates, ALWAYS verify to which datum those coordinates are referencedWhen plotting coordinates from a map, reference the map legend to determine the datum to use.Manually enter coordinates into a GPS receiver in the same datum and format as the map

Select the datum based on incident standard. Datum used should be displayed on incident or local paper maps being used. Modern standard is NAD83. May need to use NAD27 CONUS if using older USGS topographic maps. Verify with incident or local GIS person! An incorrect or unknown datum can make a large difference on the ground.6GPS Set-Up Units Menu - Datum

WGS84 is the primary map datum used by the Global Positioning System

Position coordinates are converted on the fly to the datum selected in the Units Menu

Choose your datum to match the datum used on incident maps

NAD83 is the GIS mapping standard but if old topo maps are being used, you may have to select NAD27 CONUS (Continental US)

System menu

7GPS Set-Up Units Menu Position Format

Also in the Units Menu you can select the format of how you want the position coordinates to be displayed

Lat/Long: Decimal Degrees Degrees Decimal Minutes Degrees Minutes Seconds

OR

UTM in which coordinates are reported as Easting and Northing values

Choose your position format to be compatible with incident maps

System menu Units

When using Latitude/Longitude as your position format, be sure to communicate clearly as to what format you are using decimal degrees, degrees decimal minutes or DMS.If using DMS, include one decimal point for the seconds value.

If using UTM coordinates, you do not have to set the zone when selecting UTM UPS. The GPS unit will automatically know the correct zone based on the Lat/Long.Reminder UTM zones are 6 degrees Longitude wide. UTM Zone 1 starts at 180 degrees West and increase eastward from there. (i.e. zone 1 = 180-174, zone 2 = 174-168, etc.)(http://www.dmap.co.uk/utmworld.htm)8GPS Set-Up Time Menu

Coordinated Universal Time UTC - Greenwich Mean Time GMT Offset:Determining UTC Offset

HOW TO COLLECT DATA IN ARIZONA?? Is it Mountain Time Zone with DST turned off or is it Pacific Time Zone?

System menu - Time

9Collecting waypoints

Delete existing waypointsFind/List Menu Delete All Yes

Average waypoints for a count of 30Name new waypoints

Clear out old waypoints and tracks from memory prior to collecting new data. Save old data with DNRGPS into GIS format if necessary.

When collection a waypoint, it is recommended to collect a point (average) for 30 seconds to increase the accuracy of the location.

10Naming waypoints

Rename waypoints when saving with a naming convention to better distinguish types of data being collected.Waypoint Naming Suggestions (or come up with your own naming convention)AS Accident Site MP MilepostBR Bridge MV Medivac Site CA Camp OP Observation PointDB Division Break PR Protected ResourceDP Drop Point RH Rehab SiteDL Dozer Line RJ Road JunctionFL Fire Line RS Radio SiteFO Fire Origin SA Staging Area GT Gate SC Stream CrossingHA Hazard SF Spot Fire HB Helibase ST StructureHS Helispot SZ Safety ZoneIC ICP WS Water SourceIR Infrared HotspotExample: DBXY = X Y Division Break

11Collecting Tracks

Delete/clear existing track logsUncheck Wrap When Full optionSet the appropriate Record MethodIf using Time, select appropriate interval based on the mode of travelTurn track log on/off to produce cleaner dataSave tracks to isolate smaller sections

If collecting a waypoint along a track (or just taking a break) be sure to turn track off. Turn track back on when resuming.12Download data from GPS using DNR GPS

Set projectionConnect GPSDownload dataOr load data

DNRGPS is commonly used to download waypoints and tracks from the GPS into a GIShttp://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mis/gis/DNRGPS/DNRGPS.html

Set the projection in the DNRGPS program to set the correct projection of the data in the GIS software.13Saving GPS Data and giving to SIT UnitFile Save To File File Save To ArcGIS File Use Projected file type optionSelect output shapeUse standard naming conventionYYYYMMDD_IncidentName_IncidentNumber_ See GSTOP document for file naming convention at: http://gis.nwcg.gov/(see p. 28 of Draft GSTOP document for suggested file naming component abbreviations)

If your data collection has been well organized, i.e. tracklogs cleared, tracklogs turned on/off when recording data, waypoints well named, etc. the GISS will be able to download the data quickly and get you back out to the field ASAP. If there are old points and tracks from other projects or the track was not paused when you stayed in one place, then it will take time for the GISS to consult with you standing there to clean up the data. It takes quite a bit of time in the GISS shop to clean up bad data and we typically need them there to do that. Also - if they use DNR GPS and download their own data it would be even better... The faster we get the information the faster they can go do other things and the better chance we have of getting the data on tomorrow's map.14Google Earth

Save data as KMLView in Google Earth

Data can be downloaded using DNRGPS directly into Google Earth in kml format. Tracklogs though may need editing in GIS to clean-up or smooth out the appearance of the line.

In DNRGPS choose File>Save To>File and select Google Keyhole Markup Language (*.kml) as the Save As Type and type in your file name.Then in Google Earth, navigate to where the kml file was saved in the File>Open menu.15Wrap-UpSet-up a Garmin GPS receiverReview best practice for collecting tracks and waypointsDownload data from GPS using DNR GPSView data using Google EarthProvide quality data to the SIT unitQuestions?16Links for GPS & Training & InfoBLM - Using Garmin GPS Receivers:http://www.ntc.blm.gov/krc/viewresource.php?courseID=477&programAreaId=80 GPS for Fire Management & ICS 2011http://gis.nwcg.gov/training_gps.html 17