Audience: Call Takers, Dispatchers, Supervisors, Administrators
Last Updated: 04/14/2026
Support: Support@prepared911.com

By the end of this guide, you will be able to view and use ArcGIS GIS layers directly within the Prepared map to improve location accuracy and reduce the need to switch between multiple mapping systems.

Prepared supports ESRI/ArcGIS GIS layers directly within the map interface, allowing you to view critical location-based data alongside caller information.

You can display layers such as:

• Address points

• Road networks

• Emergency service zones

• Specialized operational boundaries (e.g., fire zones, EMS regions, landing zones)

This creates a single, unified map view, reducing the need to switch between systems and improving speed and confidence during call handling.

Without GIS integration, you often need to switch between multiple tools to understand a caller’s location. This slows response time and increases the risk of error.

With GIS layers in Prepared:

• You see authoritative local GIS data and caller location together

• You reduce reliance on external map tools

• You make faster, more informed decisions in critical situations

Ensure:

• Your agency uses ArcGIS (ESRI)

• A GIS analyst has provided valid ArcGIS layer URLs

• GIS layers have been added in Settings → Locations → Map Layers

1. Open an active call in Prepared

2. Locate the Map Sidebar

3. Find the list of available GIS layers

4. Toggle layers ON to display them on the map

5. Toggle layers OFF to remove them

What to expect:

• Layers appear instantly when enabled

• Multiple layers can be displayed at the same time

• Your selections are saved for future sessions

You can:

• Zoom in/out

• Switch between map and satellite view

• Use Street View

• Expand to fullscreen

• Reset orientation

These controls function the same as standard Google Maps tools.

Use GIS layers to:

• Verify caller location against local address points

• Identify jurisdiction boundaries quickly

• Understand special response zones (fire, EMS, evacuation areas)

• Improve accuracy in rural or non-address-based locations

This is especially useful for:

• Water rescues

• Large campuses or industrial sites

• Areas with inconsistent mapping data

• Turn on only the layers you need
  Too many active layers can slow performance.

• Prioritize authoritative layers
  Use your agency’s GIS data as the primary reference.

• Coordinate with your GIS team
  Ensure layers are structured and optimized for performance.

• Use layers consistently
  Align with your agency’s expectations for which layers should be used during calls.

• GIS layers are not enabled by default — you must turn them on

• Layer visibility is saved per user, not agency-wide

• Prepared does not edit GIS data — all updates happen in ArcGIS

• Updates from ArcGIS appear automatically (typically overnight)

• Data is streamed, not stored locally in Prepared

• Only ArcGIS URLs are supported (no shapefiles, KML, or GeoJSON)

• Layers cannot be grouped or reordered

• Supervisors cannot set default layers for all users

• Filtering calls by GIS polygons is not currently supported

If you need help configuring or using GIS layers:

Email: Support@prepared911.com