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E911 Technology Expanded to Rhode Island Communities

Pictometry software allows community leaders to access a digital library of images of a local landscape to see buildings, street lights, fire hydrants and other landmarks.

Photo: Providence, R.I.

Rhode Island Department of Public Safety Director Colonel Brendan Doherty and E 9-1-1 Associate Director Ray LaBelle today presented representatives of nearly 30 Rhode Island communities with new computer technology to help them more accurately plan for a variety of local emergencies.

"Pictometry access brings public safety technology to a higher level of service and excellence," noted Doherty.

The "Pictometry" software allows community leaders to access a digital library of images of a local landscape to see buildings, street lights, fire hydrants and other landmarks from both high-level and low-level angles. This is extremely important imagery technology for first responder missions, GIS mapping, and transportation and community planning.

Associate Director of E 9-1-1 Ray LaBelle said "Every community in Rhode Island will benefit from the multiple interfaces this technology will provide to them."

This is the software that is used by the Emergency 911 center to help describe the location of incoming emergency calls to first responders in cities and towns across the state. Now, thanks to a federal Homeland Security grant from the R.I. Emergency Management Agency, local communities can also use that resource.

Four of Rhode Island's largest communities, Providence, Cranston, Warwick and Newport have already adopted this technology.