As the Republican National Convention kicks off in Cleveland this week, Redlands tech company Esri is part of the increased security at the event.
Government officials are using Esri’s cloud-based map technology to monitor crowd movement in real time during the convention, which opens Monday and runs through Thursday, in Cleveland.
Esri will also partner in the Democratic National Convention July 25-28 in Philadelphia.
“Large scale, high security events like the RNC and DNC are just one incident away from a major disaster,” Chris McIntosh, director of Esri’s public safety industry division, wrote in an email interview.
Esri’s ArcGIS tool combines maps and data for analysis. Forbes magazine described Esri as a world leader in geographic information systems. It has more than 350,000 clients worldwide.
“Esri’s ArcGIS platform for public safety supports resource planning, live resource tracking and data sharing. Together they all provide dynamic situational awareness that enhances community safety.”
Over the weekend, protesters converged on Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena, where the convention will kick off Monday.
In the wake of recent events, such as the attacks on police officers in Dallas, Texas, on July 7, and in Baton Rouge on Sunday, have put security in the spotlight for large events.
Demonstrations set the conventions apart from other giant assemblies, according to McIntosh.
“Large special events like the Boston Marathon, the Super Bowl, The Washington D.C. Fourth of July celebrations, and NASCAR in Richmond, Va., draw mainly two large groups: participants and spectators.
“Political conventions, like the RNC and DNC are unique in that they also draw demonstrations from all around the country. The RNC and DNC allow the demonstrations to have a voice, which is part of our constitution, and they also support groups who want to gather and convey their message and provide them with a safe environment to do so.”
Esri is not on site in Cleveland, but will have staff available if an emergency response is needed, according to spokeswoman Karen Richardson.She said an Esri sent one of its emergency team members to Boulder, Colo., to help map forest fire movement earlier this month.
Since November, Esri has been working with a group of local, state and government agencies planning a system of map and data sharing.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is using geographic information systems in Cleveland to prepare for medical responses in the case of an emergency. GIS program manager Robert M. Shankman said in an email the department will have personnel available to provide on-site or near-site medical care for law enforcement officers at both conventions, including law enforcement animals.
“Any data that has a live feed to our system will be updated in near-real-time, such as weather,” Shankman said.
