County to Showcase How It Uses GIS Technology

Los Angeles County government is holding a free public event on Nov. 14 — National GIS Day — to showcase the county's GIS programs.

Geographic information systems are used in emergency responses, social services and administration efforts, among other things.

"As part of National Geography Awareness Week, the event provides an international forum for users of geographic information systems (GIS) technology to demonstrate real-world applications that are making a difference in our society," LA County's press release reads.

Here are some ways local jurisdictions use GIS:

• LA County has been working on projects involving GIS in the Parks and Recreation Department's tree health and hiker safety
• San Francisco used GIS to create an urban forest map
• San Leandro used it to add transparency to its data portal
• The Bay Area aided wildfire recovery with it

Caltrans has an application based on GIS that tracks projects and traffic incidents. The Department of Fish and Wildlife is using it to track invasive species.

Vendors are invited to attend the event, which will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Olive Court in Grand Park at 200 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.