Geographic information system (GIS) data is a foundational component in the migration to, and continuing operation of, Next Generation 911 (NG911) systems. But developing local GIS data so that it aligns with NG911 standards is a laborious and time-consuming process that can take months or years to complete.
The quality of GIS data arguably is the most important factor in the effectiveness of NG911 systems. Low-quality data will result in a high number of misrouted 911 calls and an inability to dispatch the appropriate response to an emergency incident in a timely manner. However, developing high-quality GIS data is a time-consuming, complicated and costly process, which is why some agencies opt for quick-fix solutions. This whitepaper explains why doing so is a bad idea, and explores the following: