Brentwood continues the development of the City's Geographic Information System, or GIS.  GIS is an integration of spatial (graphic) and tabular (database) information. The GIS began in February 1995 when aerial photographs and topographic base maps of the City were made and data imported into the CAD environment.  Brentwood has since converted all CAD data into GIS layers and maintains all spatial data in the GIS.

COMPONENTS OF GIS

Hardware

Hardware comprises the equipment needed to support the many activities of GIS ranging from data collection to data analysis. The central piece of equipment is the workstation, which runs the GIS software. Data collection efforts can also require the use of a GPS handheld data logger to collect data in the field. With the advent of web-enabled GIS, web servers have also become an important piece of equipment for GIS.

Software

Software packages are important for GIS.  Such software is essential for creating, editing and analyzing spatial and attribute data. There is also web-GIS software that helps serve data through Internet browsers.

Data

Data is the core of any GIS. There are two primary types of data that are used in GIS. A geodatabase is a database that is in some way referenced to locations on the earth.  Attribute data generally defined as additional information, which can then be tied to spatial data.

People

Well-trained people knowledgeable in spatial analysis and skilled in using GIS software are essential to the GIS process. There are three factors to the people component: education, career path, and networking. Finally, continuous networking with other GIS professionals is essential for the exchange of ideas as well as a support community.

Brentwood's GIS is a valuable tool that greatly improves our ability to make practical, informed decisions. It will play an increasingly important role in planning and resource management decisions made everyday. It is also playing an important role in the emergency management and routing of vehicles to ensure that the equipment arrives at the scene of an emergency from the closest location possible.