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Project Geospatial · September 7 · 15 min

FedGeoDay 2025 | Demonstrations: Open Source Geospatial Applications for Resilience - Xan Frederick

Xan Frederick's, the Emergency Response Coordinator for the USGS National Geospatial Program, discusses how open geospatial resources contribute to disaster prediction, preparation, and response, emphasizing the human element and building proficiency with data tools. She highlights The National Map as a core resource, aggregating data from USGS and partner agencies like federal, state, local, industry, and academia. Xan explains how users can access this data via services or through the Geospatial Information Response Team (GIRT) hub. The presentation includes a demonstration differentiating US Topo and OnDemand topos and showcasing the Toppo Builder application, noting the free print delivery service for emergency responders. She defines key concepts in resilience like modeling (forecast/hindcast) and risk mitigation, adding "morale" as a critical third element. A significant portion focuses on the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP), demonstrating a viewer for visualizing vast amounts of free online LiDAR data and stressing the need for interoperable, OGC-compliant, cloud-optimized data sets that are easy to use during disasters. She concludes by emphasizing the necessity of collaboration across sectors and leveraging resources like the USGS National Geospatial Program user engagement office. • Discusses the importance of open geospatial resources for disaster prediction, preparation, and response. • Emphasizes the human element in resilience and the need to build proficiency or a "data muscle" using tools. • Introduces The National Map as a cornerstone for aggregating USGS and partner data from various sources (federal, state, local, industry, academia, nonprofits). • Highlights how to access National Map resources via services (feature and map services) and the Geospatial Information Response Team (GIRT) hub. • Explains the role of GIRT in providing open geospatial data to USGS scientists and emergency responders. • Compares US Topo (pre-published) and OnDemand topos (customizable, multiple scales, best available data), demonstrating the Toppo Builder application. • Mentions the availability of free printed US Topos or OnDemand topos for emergency responders via the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). • Defines modeling (forecast/hindcast) and risk mitigation as key elements in resilience, adding "morale" as a crucial third. • Introduces the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) and demonstrates a viewer for visualizing LiDAR point clouds. • Highlights the vast amount of free, online LiDAR data available (over 70 trillion points). • Stresses the critical need for interoperable, OGC-compliant, cloud-optimized geospatial data sets that are easy to use during a disaster. • Mentions the USGS National Geospatial Program user engagement office as a resource for learning about available tools and data. • Emphasizes that collaboration across federal agencies, industry, academia, and other partners is essential for success. For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com #FedGeoDay #Geospatial #OpenSource #Resilience #USGS #NationalMap #DisasterResponse #EmergencyManagement #LiDAR #3DEP #TopoMaps #GIRT #OpenData #Interoperability #Collaboration

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Xan Frederick's, the Emergency Response Coordinator for the USGS National Geospatial Program, discusses how open geospatial resources contribute to disaster prediction, preparation, and response, emphasizing the human element and building proficiency with data tools. She highlights The National Map as a core resource, aggregating data from USGS and partner agencies like federal, state, local, industry, and academia. Xan explains how users can access this data via services or through the Geospatial Information Response Team (GIRT) hub. The presentation includes a demonstration differentiating US Topo and OnDemand topos and showcasing the Toppo Builder application, noting the free print delivery service for emergency responders. She defines key concepts in resilience like modeling (forecast/hindcast) and risk mitigation, adding "morale" as a critical third element. A significant portion focuses on the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP), demonstrating a viewer for visualizing vast amounts of free online LiDAR data and stressing the need for interoperable, OGC-compliant, cloud-optimized data sets that are easy to use during disasters. She concludes by emphasizing the necessity of collaboration across sectors and leveraging resources like the USGS National Geospatial Program user engagement office.


• Discusses the importance of open geospatial resources for disaster prediction, preparation, and response.

• Emphasizes the human element in resilience and the need to build proficiency or a "data muscle" using tools.

• Introduces The National Map as a cornerstone for aggregating USGS and partner data from various sources (federal, state, local, industry, academia, nonprofits).

• Highlights how to access National Map resources via services (feature and map services) and the Geospatial Information Response Team (GIRT) hub.

• Explains the role of GIRT in providing open geospatial data to USGS scientists and emergency responders.

• Compares US Topo (pre-published) and OnDemand topos (customizable, multiple scales, best available data), demonstrating the Toppo Builder application.

• Mentions the availability of free printed US Topos or OnDemand topos for emergency responders via the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

• Defines modeling (forecast/hindcast) and risk mitigation as key elements in resilience, adding "morale" as a crucial third.

• Introduces the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) and demonstrates a viewer for visualizing LiDAR point clouds.

• Highlights the vast amount of free, online LiDAR data available (over 70 trillion points).

• Stresses the critical need for interoperable, OGC-compliant, cloud-optimized geospatial data sets that are easy to use during a disaster.

• Mentions the USGS National Geospatial Program user engagement office as a resource for learning about available tools and data.

• Emphasizes that collaboration across federal agencies, industry, academia, and other partners is essential for success.


For more content like this check out www.projectgeospatial.com


#FedGeoDay #Geospatial #OpenSource #Resilience #USGS #NationalMap #DisasterResponse #EmergencyManagement #LiDAR #3DEP #TopoMaps #GIRT #OpenData #Interoperability #Collaboration

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