Geographic Information Systems Disaster Response

Laura Barrett Silsbee, M.A.

*** ******* ******

Strasburg, VA 22657

********@*******.***

703-***-**** (cell)

Expertise Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - program management and strategic planning; data management and analysis; street network management, data standards

Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) - application support and administration

Archaeology and Environmental Impact Analysis – Western Europe and California

Education M.A. in Archaeology, University of California at Los Angeles, December 1993.

B.A. in Anthropology, University of California at Davis, June 1988.

Certificate in Geographic Information Systems, University of California at Riverside Extension, 1997, with honors.

Clearance DoD Secret - issued 2011 (expired)

Job History

Blue Valley Vineyard and Winery, Delaplane, VA (part-time), 4/2023 to present-Tasting Room Associate. Provide front house customer service to patrons, perform light kitchen duties, open and close the facility during normal business operations, and support special events such as weddings and corporate parties.

County of Fairfax Fire and Rescue Department (part-time) – 5/2023 to present – Disaster Assistance Specialist I. Member of FEMA Virginia Taskforce One/United States One Urban Search and Rescue Team with assigned roles of Plans Team Manager and Technical Information Specialist. National Capital Region Incident Management Team member (2/2024) – GIS/Planning

Team Rubicon (volunteer) – 10/2022 to present – Field Readiness Coordinator (2/2023 to 7/2025), Northern Shenandoah Valley Counties of Virginia metro. Support of blue skies identification and preparation of resources for all aspects of deployment as a Volunteer Organization Assisting in Disasters (VOAD). Personal participation to date in local service and training events such as warming shelter support, cache inventories, core operations, and sawyer activities.

Fauquier County Division of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management – 4/2020 to present – Fire Rescue/Public Safety Technical Systems Program Manager, Warrenton, VA. Responsible for technical support of the Fire and EMS information technology solutions for a blended career and volunteer county-wide Fire department in northern Virginia. Duties include updating geospatial data used in 911 dispatching such as box territories, supporting mobile data solutions for incident response (both hardware and software), and providing incident support to the Fauquier County Emergency Management Center (EOC).

City of Memphis Division of Fire Services – 5/2014 to 4/2020 – GIS Technical Coordinator, Memphis, TN. Responsible for the technical operation of the geospatial component and related functions of the City’s client/server and mobile-based Fire/EMS Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system from implementation in 2014 to current configuration. Duties include managing data and implementing QA/QC standards, designing data requirements for software interfaces, and configuring application options to keep the CAD operational and efficient 24/7/365. This position also regularly required ad hoc spatial analyses related to Fire Department business, and periodic supervision of GIS interns. Additionally, this position offered direct incident support to the City’s Office of Emergency Management during City-level incidents and community events, and provided the opportunity to become a member of TN-TF1.

Technical Information Specialist (TIS) – FEMA Tennessee Taskforce One Urban Search and Rescue Team – 6/2016 to 3/2020. Responsible for gathering requested information from team members for Planning Team use each operational cycle, coordinating GPS unit data loading and collection, creating, displaying, providing, and compiling documentation for all pertinent Task Force activities in written, audio, and visual media, travel planning, and other duties as assigned. Deployments: four hurricanes as a TIS and one Operational Readiness Exercise as a Planning Officer. Member of National Alliance for Public Safety GIS (NAPSG) Data Standards Working Group.

Bureau of Land Management – 8/2012 to 5/2014 – GIS Specialist, Montana/Dakotas State Office, Billings, MT. Provided technical support, guidance, training and recommendations for GIS data sources used by BLM subject-matter experts and field personnel. Primary duties included creation and maintenance of GIS database edit versions and replicas, integrating data requirements and applications for national datasets and local initiatives, implementing technical updates, and leveraging web technologies to deliver data.

United States Air Force – 5/2011 to 8/2012 – Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) GeoBase Program Manager, Anchorage, AK. Coordinated and developed high quality, cost-effective GIS tools, systems, applications and programs. Developed, maintained, and supported databases necessary for architectural, engineering and base management practices including facilities management, environmental management, utilities design and maintenance, floor plans, readiness, and emergency response systems. Advised on evolving drafting and GIS tools. Updated, coordinated, and implemented GIS maps and templates to national data standards. Provided map updates to JBER Fire Department CAD and structural fire alarm systems. Additional duties included serving as the 673d CES/CEP Government Purchase Card (GPC) Primary Approving Official (AO).

Technology Associates International Corporation – 1/2011 to 4/2011 – Project Manager, Kaneohe, HI. Provided technical ArcGIS support for data migration project at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma. Duties included data review and consolidation, attribution population, and the application of rigorous data and metadata standards in accordance with GEOFidelis West policy and guidance.

SMITH/Associates - 7/2010 to 12/2010 – US Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) Pacific Region Installation Geographic Information and Services (IGI&S) Manager, Fort Shafter, HI. Job responsibilities included analyzing information needs, and recommending approaches for oversight and management of IGI&S investments in data, capabilities and resources; supporting the development and dissemination of functional guidance for IGI&S strategy and implementation; representing IMCOM IGI&S interests in meetings; managing IGI&S-related taskings and OPORDS; coordinating within IMCOM Pacific Region and with related organizations to advocate for the Army IGI&S Program; communicating policies, practices, and actions to Region subordinate garrisons; and taking a leadership role in implementing IGI&S tasks at the Region. Specific tasks include providing review and recommendations on relevant strategies, policies, plans and taskers; interpreting policy and recommend approaches to IMCOM HQ and Region leadership; assisting in Region/garrison compliance with policy by developing guidance, answering questions, and reviewing data; assisting in IGI&S data management and sharing by supporting the garrisons in identification and execution of data stewards and data management; beta testing the end-user enterprise IGI&S application suite; developing maps, collecting data & performing analysis, and providing other GI&S capabilities to Region or HQ staff as needed; and advocating for use of IGI&S in support of Region and garrisons by working with division chiefs and subject matter experts to understand workflows and recommend IGI&S capability applications for Region and garrison business practices.

Memphis Division of Fire Services – 5/2010 to 7/2010 – CAD Coordinator/GIS Analyst, Memphis, TN. Responsible for the technical operation of the geospatial component of the City’s Fire and Paramedic CAD system. Duties include managing data, software, and CAD system interfaces operational, provide situational awareness to dispatchers and responders during an incident, and support post-incident regulatory and departmental reporting and analysis. This position also required representing the Department to local emergency response organizations and panels such as the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) GIS Subcommittee.

Robert Half Technologies, Inc. – 4/2010 to 5/2010 – Information Technology Consultant, Memphis, TN. Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007 site content management and configuration including custom pages and lists, InfoPath form creation, and customized SharePoint Designer 2007 workflows.

Treehouse Industries, Inc. – 5/2008 to 5/2010 – President and Chief Information Officer, Memphis, TN. Small business owner with oversight responsibilities ranging from marketing to business process design, project management, accounting, purchasing and product delivery. Services offered include geospatial data and metadata management, project management, technical writing and document QA/QC, proposal and grant writing, strategic planning, Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) 3.0 site collection administration, and general administrative support. Project include GIS support for the Memphis Fire Department, grant writing for the Warner Robins Little Theatre and the Warner Robins Housing Authority, and business process analysis and SharePoint site collection administration for the Item Unique Identifier (IUID) Program at SAIC.

MACTEC Federal Programs, Inc.—5/2007 to 5/2008—Sr. GIS Analyst, Warner Robins, GA. Consultant/project manager and onsite support analyst for GeoBase and the Environmental Management GIS program at Robins AFB, GA. Leadership of GIS/IT personnel for Air Force GIS work as well as other local clients for services including data collection and maintenance, system set-up, standards implementation, geospatial analysis, website design and software programming. Provide client support at senior level briefings and organizational outreach endeavors, proposal technical evaluations, and program implementation.

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.—11/2005 to 5/2007—Garrison GeoBase Manager, Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) Headquarters, Peterson AFB, CO. On-site consultant for garrison GeoBase issues within the command; AFSPC Installation Mapping and Visualization Steering Committee (IM&VSC) Data Standards Subcommittee (DSS) chair; AFSPC representative to USAF Installation Mapping and Visualization (IM&V) Council Data Standards Working Group (DSWG); technical lead for geospatial enterprise architecture issues related to AFSPC GeoBase; coordinator for USAF cultural resources, fire, and environmental management mission data set (MDS) development. Served on the AFSPC Installation Control Center (ICC) implementation planning committee. Provided client support at senior level briefings, technical evaluations, and program implementation main operating bases and geographically-separated units (GSUs).

CH2M Hill, Inc.—1/2004 to 11/2005—Garrison GeoBase Architect, USAF Headquarters, Arlington, VA. Enterprise architect and lead on-site consultant for garrison GeoBase issues; proponent and point of contact for implementation of the enterprise-wide IM&V information service on the Global Combat Support System – Air Force (GCSS-AF) with access through the Air Force Portal. Lead author of the cross-functional IM&V Council and formal charter, as well as multiple staff packages for tasking, formal policy creation, and information dissemination. Primary author of the GeoBase Common Installation Picture (CIP) 2005 Data Model. Chair, GeoBase Architecture Working Group; co-chair, IM&V Council DSWG. USAF representative to the Computer-Aided Drafting and Design/GIS (CADD/GIS) Technology Center Corporate Staff, and the Data Standards Group for the (SDSFIE); USAF representative to the Defense Installation Spatial Data Infrastructure (DISDI) Cross-Services Steering Committee and Community of Interest (COI); geospatial representative to Installations and Logistics Information Requirements (ILIR) Integrated Process Team (IPT). Participant in definition and negotiation of software blanket purchase agreements. Provide input into annual Headquarters Air Force GeoIntegration Office (HAF GIO) financial plans and program management reviews for organizational GIOs. Responsible for planned and ad hoc senior level briefing preparation and presentation often requiring extensive travel in US and abroad.

CH2M Hill, Inc.—5/2003 to 1/2004—Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence, San Antonio, TX. On-site GeoIntegration Office support for spatial enablement of USAF environmental programs and data. Worked with software developers and subject matter experts to identify requirements and capabilities particularly in terms of noise contours, forestry, natural resources, e-planning, and emergency response. Provided limited coordination of submittals supporting 2005 Base Realignment and Closure deliberations.

Pacific Environmental Services, Inc./MACTEC Federal Programs—8/2000 to 5/2003, Warner Robins, GA. GIS Specialist and Field Technician for the Basewide Backflow Prevention Device Survey and Storm Water Survey at Robins Air Force Base (AFB), GA.; project manager for Phase I Cultural Resources Survey at Fort Dix, NJ. Specific tasks include: evaluation of off-the-shelf backflow prevention device management software for functionality and technical feasibility, GIS deliverable design and implementation, database creation and management, participation in field team survey and sampling procedures, field data recordation and management of documentation, preparation of summary documentation and reports, proposal and presentation preparation and support, preparation of training materials, on-site client training.

EarthTech, Inc.—4/1999 to 8/2000—Warner Robins, GA. GIS Specialist/GIS Project Coordinator- Coordination of GIS/IT projects for the Robins AFB Program, totaling more than $1,000,000 in project budgets. This position also includes the specific project management tasks listed below.

Operate and Enhance Current Capabilities of the Robins AFB GIS; Robins AFB, GA; Delivery Order Manager; Task Manager. This project includes the development of the GIS data model, database migration to ensure compliance with Spatial Data Standards (SDS), version 1.75; the implementation of GeoMedia 3.0; technical training of Robins AFB personnel; and the management of on-site GIS resources in support of the Base GIS Coordinator.

Restoration and Compliance GIS Support; Robins AFB, GA; GIS Technical Advisor; Task Manager. This project included seven primary tasks and multiple subtasks designed to enhance the functionality of the Robins AFB GIS to support the needs of the Compliance and Restoration Division of the Directorate of Environmental Management (WR-ALC/EMQ). Specific activities were the creation and dissemination of GIS technical specifications, data management procedures (including metadata), data verification, and QA/QC processes. This project also covered the expansion of the WR-ALC/EMQ electronic Document Archive and supporting GUIs; the administration, monitoring, development, and enhancement of databases (such as EQuIS and AFRIMS); the conversion of WR-ALC/EMQ data to SDS-compliant format, and completing a Needs Assessment for system enhancements such as three-dimensional groundwater plume visualization.

Environmental Management Technical Support; Robins AFB, GA: responsible for creation, maintenance, and updates of GIS files and databases in support of Environmental Management. Representative tasks include: groundwater monitoring well data maintenance and update; underground storage tank/aboveground storage tank data assessment; NEPA database/GIS development; and ArcView emergency response module coordination.

Environmental Impact Analysis Experience

Environmental Specialist—8/1996 to 11/1997—Computer Sciences Corporation, Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) Section. Responsible for research and writing of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance documents for Air Force projects at Edwards Air Force Base, California, including categorical exclusions and environmental assessments. Technical specialist for cultural resource issues pertaining to all projects completed by the section. Responsible for compilation of compliance monitoring presentation metrics. Duties include document and administration file preparation, GIS mapping applications, peer review, environmental research, technical input for cultural resources, and interdisciplinary project team management.

Archaeological Research and Experience—California and Western Europe

Ten years experience in California including coastal, inland, lacustrine, desert and mountain regions in both academic and cultural resource management contexts. Five years experience in western Europe, including Denmark, England, and Ireland. Experience in both historic and prehistoric materials at approximately two hundred sites. Seven supervisory positions. Familiarity with CEQA, NEPA and NHPA compliance procedures. SOPA/ROPA certification--1995.

Key Positions

Technical Lead--1/1994 to 6/1996--Computer Sciences Corporation. Supervision of up to twenty crew members for the 7,674 acre survey of the Precision Impact Range Area (PIRA), the 1,425 acre Basewide Sample Survey, and the evaluation of site CA-KER-2083 at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Additional duties included supervision of all recording procedures, interaction and consultation with Air Force personnel, interaction with the Base GIS laboratory, employee evaluation and training, field project logistics, budgetary structuring and management, document peer review, and research design and report writing.

Assistant Site Supervisor—6/1997 to 8/1997--University Research Expedition Program (UREP), Mainistir Chiaráin Project, Inis Mór, Ireland. Set up and implementation of field excavation and recording procedures, section and plan drawings, laboratory procedures, and training of student volunteers in excavation and laboratory techniques in Late Christian to Post-Medieval contexts.

Laboratory Co-Director—6/1996 to 8/1996—Mainistir Chiaráin Project, University Research Expedition Program (UREP). Set up and implementation of field laboratory procedures for recording and processing of Late Christian to Post-Medieval domestic materials at Mainistir Chiaráin on Inis Mór (Aran Islands), Ireland.

Laboratory Director--7/1992 to 9/1992--Thy Archaeological Project. Set up and implementation of field laboratory procedures for the recording and processing of Late Neolithic artifacts in Thy, Denmark.

Other

Trip Leader - 9/2015 – Sierra Club Service Subcommittee, Mt. Rainier National Park, WA. Start-to-finish planning, budgeting, recruitment, advertising copy creation, logistics, and on-site leadership of a week-long, twelve participant, volunteer service trip to rebuild trails at Mt. Rainier National Park.

Special Skills

Technical

ArcGIS Desktop/ArcGIS Online

Garmin GPS

Microsoft Office Suite

Languages

French (six years formal study)

Danish (one year formal study)

Hungarian (one year informal study)

Master’s Paper

Bell Beaker Pottery from Thy: The Investigation of Two Late Neolithic I Period Ceramic Assemblages from Northwestern Jutland, Denmark. On file at the University of California, Los Angeles, Archaeology Program.

Select Conference Papers

“Moving Memphis Fire to a GIS-based Dispatch System,” presented at Memphis Area Geographic Information Council Annual Meeting, Memphis, TN, 2015

“Heating Up the GIS at Memphis Division of Fire Services,” presented at Memphis Area Geographic Information Council Annual Meeting, Memphis, TN, 2009

“Confined Space Management at Robins Air Force Base,” co-authored with Mr. Craig Henry, presented at Joint Services Environmental Management (JSEM) Conference, Denver, CO, 2008

“Using GeoBase to Geospatially Enable AFSPC Asset Management,” co-authored with Mr. John Robillard and Mr. John Gormley, presented at JSEM Conference, Columbus, OH, 2007

“Moving Garrison GeoBase to the Installation Mapping and Visualization Service” presented at ESRI User Conference, San Diego, CA, 2005

“GeoBase Discoveries - 2005” presented in DISDI Plenary at ESRI User Conference, San Diego, CA, 2005

“Implementing Geospatial Information Services” presented at Air Force Knowledge Management Conference, Tucson, AZ, 2005

“Air Force GeoBase Program” presented at DISDI Pacific Meeting, Okinawa, Japan, 2005

“DoDAF Training” workshop presented at IM&V Council Meeting, San Antonio, TX, 2005

“GeoBase Plenary” presented at IM&V Council Meeting, Atlanta, GA, 2004

“Zero to GIS in Thirty Days: McGuire AFB Case Study,” co-authored with Mr. Matthew Bell, presented at ESRI User Conference, San Diego, CA 2002

Awards and Grants

Memphis Fire Department

Medal of Merit (team award) 2019, 2016

Ovation Award (team award) nominee, 2019

United States Air Force

Civilian of the Quarter - Category 2, 2012

UCLA

Hortense Fishbaugh Memorial Fellowship

Friends of Archaeology Research Grant

Connelly University Fellowship

UC Davis

Recognized Outstanding Senior

Henry A. Jastro Scholarship

UC Regents Scholarship

National Merit Scholarship Fund Recipient

Emergency Management/Response Training

Chainsaw Operations 1 (Team Rubicon), Fairfax, VA, 2023

Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED, Woodstock, VA, 2023

Bloodborne Pathogens (online), 2019

GPS Operations, Memphis, TN, 2019

HazMat Operations Annual Refresher (online), 2019

Introduction to Search and Rescue Mapping – SARTOPO, Memphis, TN 2019

Respiratory Refresher (online), 2019

Confined Space Awareness (online), 2016

9P1331 – Planning Team Training, Memphis, TN, 2016

AWR-160 - WMD/Terrorism Awareness for Emergency Responders (online), 2016

Air Force Emergency Response Operations (AERO) (online), 2012 – includes IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800

FEMA IS 63.b – Geospatial Information Infrastructure (GII) (online), 2020

FEMA IS 100.a – Introduction to Incident Command System (online), 2010

FEMA IS 120.c – An Introduction to Exercises (online), 2022

FEMA IS 200.a – ICS for Single Resource and Initial Action Incidents (online), 2010

FEMA ICS 300V – ICS for Expanding Incidents Virtual (online), 2023

FEMA ICS 400V – Advanced ICS Command and General Staff – Complex Incidents (online), 2023

FEMA IS 700.b – An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (online), 2022

NIMS ICS All-Hazards Planning Section Chief, Manassas, VA, 2024

NFA O-305 Type 3 All-Hazards Incident Management Team, Fairfax, VA, 2025

Other

FAA Part 107 Prep Class, George Mason University Police UAS Team, Manassas, VA, 2022

Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) hands-on training, Fauquier County, VA, 2021-2022

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