GIS-Pro 2026

Attendees will leave this session with practical insights spanning the full journey toward modern, reliable geospatial data for service delivery and emergency response. Through real-world case studies and frameworks, the session covers foundational address and building identification system development, legacy system modernization, streamlined editing workflows, improved geocoding accuracy, and cross-agency collaboration. Attendees will also explore practical approaches to GIS data stewardship — including how to maintain, improve, document, and automate data processes and workflows — before concluding with a statewide update on Wisconsin's NG9-1-1 project and the steps local agencies need to take toward full implementation.

Keywords: Location Services, Modernization, Collaboration, Addressing, Parcels, Data Maintenance, Data Governance, Automation, NG911, 911

Modernizing the Foundation: Indianapolis' Address and Parcel Modernization Initiative
Emily Simms, GIS Tower Lead, City of Indianapolis-Marion County, Indianapolis, IN - USA
Ashley Hitt, GISP, PMP, COO, Cultivate Geospatial Solutions, Louisville, KY – USA

MIDAS: Pathways for GIS Gold
Matt Gerike, PhD, GISP, Geospatial Program Manager, Virginia 9-1-1 & Geospatial Services, North Chesterfield, VA – USA

The Barbados Building ID: A Game‑Changer for Geospatial Intelligence
Paul Collymore, Manager Information Systems, Barbados Lands and Surveys Department, Warrens, St Michael – Barbados

GIS for NG911 in Wisconsin.  Where We Stand and What's Next.
Zachary Hassler, GISP, GIS Specialist, Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, Madison, WI - USA

This panel discussion explores how the City of Wauwatosa has leveraged GIS to strengthen public safety operations and decision-making. Panelists will discuss how emerging “big data” sources offer powerful insights but also introduce challenges that GIS analysts must carefully manage. The conversation will highlight how automated vehicle locator (AVL) data extends beyond basic tracking to support performance measurement, deployment strategies, and response optimization—while acknowledging its limitations.

Attendees will also learn how GIS enables real-time situational awareness during critical incidents like flood responses and crash investigations. Finally, the session will showcase how the Wauwatosa Police Department’s innovative use of GIS in policy development helped secure federal funding to expand and enhance these efforts.

Keywords: Drone, AVL, Flood, Police, Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Emergency Response


Panelists
Dominick Ratkowski, Crime Analyst, Wauwatosa Police Department, Milwaukee, WI - USA
Eric Piza, Lipman Family Professor and Director of Crime Analysis Initiatives, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northeastern University
David Cefalu, Detective, Wauwatosa Police Department, Milwaukee, WI - USA
Paul Vepraskas, Geographic Information Systems Manager, City of Wauwatosa, Wauwatosa, WI - USA

This session highlights how GIS is transforming public safety across the full emergency lifecycle—from preparedness and response to recovery and next-generation systems. Learn how Denton County used advanced network analysis and automation to design data-driven EMS response zones and implement proximity-based dispatch across multiple jurisdictions. Explore a practical, defensible GIS workflow for post-tornado damage assessment that improves consistency, supports equitable property valuation, and strengthens documentation for appeals. Finally, discover how GIS is enabling the future of 9-1-1 by supporting indoor and 3D location accuracy, helping agencies meet evolving federal requirements while enhancing real-world response capabilities in PSAPs and school districts.

Keywords: Indoors, 3D, School Safety, Z-axis, Fire, Response, Network Analysis, Parcel Assessment, GeoEnrichment, Local Government, Spatial Analysis, Hazard Analysis, Emergency Response

GIS to the Rescue: 3D, Indoor Mapping, and Federal Policy
Keri Brennan, GISP, ENP, Subject Matter Expert, GeoComm Inc., Indianapolis, IN - USA

The Creation of Texas’ First Countywide Fire Department
Christine Fox, GIS Analyst, Denton County, Denton, TX – USA