Alabama Department of Homeland Security (AL DHS)

Virtual Alabama

In October 2005, the Alabama Department of Homeland Security (AL DHS) led an effort to discover new technologies in 3D visualization of state geographic data.  This effort needed to be affordable as well as employ the power of internet based applications in an easy-to-use visualization tool.  This tool utilizes a 3D globe interface to retrieve images from a merged global imagery dataset, which allows geographic and terrain data to be displayed using streaming technology through the internet.  The Department is working to continue partnerships with federal, state, and local entities to ingest massive amounts of data into tools that provide a useful and common operational picture for every community that is deemed necessary to protect lives and safeguard Alabama citizens in times of man-made or natural disasters.

To date, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (GTAC) has begun ingesting data, meeting with agencies on data, and looks forward to continued data sharing meetings among state, county, and local agencies.  GTAC met with AEMA in Clanton to discuss early deployment for the impending hurricane season.  AEMA will assist in the rapid deployment of tools to the 67 county EMAs and the 8 regional communication vehicles.  

Real-time activities associated with the 3D Visualization tool includes a common operational picture for emergency personnel, emergency evacuation routing, situational awareness, vehicle and asset tracking, critical infrastructure mapping, identification of assets and vulnerabilities, visualization of risks, plume modeling and real-time sensors feeds, as well as implantation of protective measures during events.