This project will access and use Indiana University's high performance local, regional and national research networks and emerging high performance domestic network connection technologies and distributed storage to provide Indiana's State Fire Coordinator and The Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry (NA-S&PF) staff with spatial information needed to make strategic firefighting decisions. Rapid, remote site access to processed imagery and GIS information such as DOQQ's, fuel maps, locations of volunteer fire departments, roads, hydrography, and elevation are critical to effective and efficient fire management activities. Frequently, this information is not readily available to fire managers as the data sets are large and require high performance computing to visualize.

Our proposal targets Indiana data sets and information needed by the Indiana Division of Forestry and serves as a statewide demonstration of Indiana University's capabilities to provide rapid access and transfer of large GIS data sets, remote-sensed imagery and spatial information derived from such data to the Division at remote locations. However, the significance of this project is its potential to provide spatial information to the USFS at a regional or national scale via Internet2 connections.

The School of Public and Environmental Affairs' (SPEA) GIS Laboratory, NA-S&PF and the Indiana Division of Forestry have developed a cooperative and supportive relationship as a result of a NA-S&PF commissioned study completed last May. Both the State and Federal agencies have identified that timely, accurate, organized, and accessible spatial information about natural/cultural resources and fire activities is the basis for coordinated agency program decisions and is critical to effective and efficient program management. This proposal will strengthen and expand Indiana University's professional bond with The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and NA-S&PF.

Indiana University has a long history of using its resources and programs to serve the public. The Board of Trustees has directed SPEA's efforts toward the provision of high-quality public service and conducting research in the public service. This project would support that mission by providing critical information to better manage wildland/urban interface fires to save both peoples's lives and property.