Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN)

The Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN) and VGIN Advisory Board were established in Code of Virginia (§44-146.18:6 and §2.2-2423) in 1997. VGIN’s mission is to encourage and support the innovative implementation of geospatial technologies, applications, and data across commonwealth stakeholder communities. This spans all levels of the public sector (federal, state, regional and local governments), numerous private sector users, academic users at all levels, and citizens of the commonwealth.

VGIN is one of three divisions in VDEM’s 9-1-1 and Geospatial Services (NGS) Bureau, along with the Public Safety Communications Division and Regional Outreach Division. VGIN currently has eleven (11) staff positions. VGIN staff support the following priorities:

Virginia GIS Clearinghouse: The Virginia GIS Clearinghouse provides a central location for the discovery and distribution of spatial data from a variety of contributors across the commonwealth. The Clearinghouse serves more than 1 billion requests a year.
Orthoimagery: VGIN has managed regular collection and distribution of statewide imagery since 2002.
Virginia Base Mapping Program Base Layers: VGIN staff engages all localities in the commonwealth twice per year to acquire five (5) key locally maintained datasets: road centerlines (RCL), address points, parcels, building footprints, and administrative boundaries. Each dataset is reviewed, standardized, and aggregated into statewide databases that are updated quarterly for distribution on the Virginia GIS Clearinghouse.
9-1-1 GIS Support: VGIN supports 9-1-1 across Virginia by working with local governments so that local GIS mapping layers to meet the ongoing and changing needs of 9-1-1 operations and systems. The 9-1-1 GIS program encourages, supports, and provides resources and training on the maintenance, improvement, documentation, and automation of GIS data maintenance and processes for these critical functions.
Geospatial Support Branch: Described below.

Geospatial Support Branch

The Geospatial Support Branch (GSB) of VGIN supports steady state and disaster operations with geographic information system products for situational awareness, response operations, and recovery efforts for disaster assistance.

GSB develops web-based geospatial situation awareness tools to collect, manage, analyze, and display information geospatially to provide a visual understanding of data. This GIS data provides VDEM, the Virginia Emergency Support Team (VEST), and state agency and local partners with real-time information using dynamically updated applications that assist with operational readiness, and making data-driven decisions for the more effective management of disasters and events. Specific products provided by the GSB include:

Know Your Zone Evacuation state routes and hurricane evacuation zones.
Operational dashboards for response and recovery data.
Visualizations of the geographic distribution of disaster assistance.
Visualizations of the location and density of vulnerable populations.
Daily tracking of VDEM-engaged incidents to include hazardous materials, medical flights, and search and rescue missions.

GSB utilizes ArcGIS Online to manage its applications which aim to enhance agency and mission partner knowledge of threats and hazards within the Commonwealth and to provide situational awareness.

For more information about VGIN, please visit our web presence through this link: https://vgin.vdem.virginia.gov/