Public Safety Answering Point Boundary Data

Background

In October 2012, PHMSA issued Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2012-09) [Docket no. PHMSA-2012-0201]. It reminded pipeline operators they should immediately and directly notify Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) that serve the communities and jurisdictions in which those pipelines are located when there are indications of a pipeline facility emergency.

Paradigm has included PSAPs as part of the Emergency Official stakeholder audience in public awareness programs (49 CFR 192.616 and 195.440) for pipeline operators since 2005. We have also noticed an increase in awareness, interest, and attendance from PSAPs as a part of the state liaison outreach programs.

Delivering PSAP's

Prior to the advisory bulletin, Paradigm reached PSAPs in each county or broader area of geography, depending on the operator's public awareness plan requirements.

With GIS being Paradigm's backbone, PHMSA's advisory bulletin increased our focus on the geographic nature of PSAP jurisdictions. National PSAP jurisdictional boundary layers and pertinent contact information, including the ten-digit emergency number, is now available.

We still include PSAPs as part of the emergency official stakeholder groups for independent and collaborative mail out programs, and state-based liaison outreach programs. However, contact data and GIS boundary information pertinent to specific assets are available on a service level.

How is it done?

• Send us your centerline data (or direct us to use your public awareness data)
• We use GIS software to identify applicable PSAPs
• We send you the data

What do I get?

• Shapefiles of boundaries and contact information
• List of contact data
• Quarterly data update
• Schedule of updated records
• PAM subscribers see PSAP map layers

Data Validation

Paradigm's process includes annual phone surveys to verify the data accuracy. Through this effort we verify both contact information and jurisdictions that are available in the data set. This is done to verify the data supplied to you can be used in an actual emergency situation. The purpose is to get you to the most appropriate person as quickly as possible, not an executive's voicemail.

Methodology for Data Maintenance

Regular Data Updates

A team of specialized communication researchers make daily contact with PSAPs for the purpose of updating any changes to existing PSAP Pro data - including critical boundary or contact changes.

Customer Feedback Process

A structured customer feedback process is used for identifying and incorporating customer changes in the data. When customer inquiries/changes are received, additional contact attempts are sent for validation of the issue. Once completely understood, further research is conducted in order to adjust the data output properly.

Attribute Data

Standard attribute data contains contact information needed for outreach, including but not limited to, PSAP name, Contact, Address, City, State, Zip-Code, and ten-digit emergency number.