July 2, 2003—Canada’s Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness (OCIPEP) has purchased 8,800 square kilometers of one-meter IKONOS satellite imagery to be used for routine disaster risk assessment and emergency preparedness along the Canada-United States border.
The contract, which was negotiated by Space Imaging reseller PhotoSat Information Ltd., (Vancouver, B.C.) will provide imagery and data for eight border areas and towns including the Yukon-Alaska border, the Quebec-Vermont border, Sault Ste. Marie, Sarnia, Windsor and Niagara Falls.
The mapping initiative is part of an overall border security effort spearheaded by the Canada/United States Critical Infrastructure Protection Steering Committee, formed after the signing of the 2001 Smart Border Agreement by Canada and the United States. OCIPEP is a member of the committee’s mapping subgroup.
Ian Becking, manager, Geomatics, OCIPEP, said that his office worked closely with PhotoSat to identify key border areas for study with one-meter imagery. “We focused on regions where we needed new data. The IKONOS imagery from Space Imaging will be used to update our existing imagery databases. We regularly collect satellite images and data to support predictive computer models that help us better anticipate and respond to events such as storms, flooding and other disasters that can impact infrastructure.”
“Because of its spatial resolution and accuracy, the IKONOS imagery purchased by OCIPEP provides essential data regarding geography, topography and critical infrastructure,” said Gerry Mitchell, president of PhotoSat. “Using this information, OCIPEP can build predictive models to anticipate disasters, determine access routes for firefighters and police, and plan in advance evacuation routes, emergency shelters and medical supply distribution centers. In addition, the agency can respond more effectively with up-to-date satellite image maps for contingencies.”
For more information, contact Space Imaging.
