**GPS Data Collection on Incidents**

This document contains information on how to use a Garmin GPS to record
data on an incident. It includes: a list of things to consider when
using a GPS on incidents; how to properly setup a GPS; and instructions
on collecting track and waypoint data.

I.  **Considerations When Collecting GPS Data on Incidents Using GIS
    Mapping**

    A.  Contact GIS staff prior to going out and collecting data.

        1.  In most cases, they can ensure that the GPS is set up
            properly.

        2.  They will need to know if you are using a non-Garmin GPS
            unit -- might not be able to download.

        3.  Advise the GIS personnel if you are not using a Garmin GPS,
            but have software to download the unit. They can usually
            work with the data if they have the time.

        4.  With the Situation Unit Leaders approval, the GIS personnel
            can inform you where there are gaps in their perimeter data.
            You can then use your GPS to record this data.

        5.  If available, you might be able to get better, large format
            maps from the GIS staff.

    B.  Manage personnel collecting GPS data on incidents.

        1.  Assign data collectors to specific areas.

        2.  Make sure the boundaries of each area are defined.

        3.  Don't overlap areas. Duplicating data from several people
            becomes very confusing to GIS staff if notes differ.

        4.  If fire is multi-jurisdictional, contact other agencies to
            see if they are collecting data.

            a.  This will reduce the chance of duplicate data
                collecting.

            b.  Work together and share data for better data collection
                efficiency.

            c.  Ensure that all personnel use the same data and
                documentation standards.

            d.  Federal agencies will usually have the fire flown to
                take aerial photos to capture current digital images.

                1.  These can be very useful when printed and analyzed.

                2.  Can be used to decide where to send personnel to
                    collect data.

    C.  Always take your GPS download cable to incidents. Keep it with
        the GPS.

    D.  It's good to have an external antenna to use when recording GPS
        data while driving or flying on the incident.

    E.  Take field notes to document the GPS data as you collect it.

        1.  Don't wait until the end of the day to write your notes. It
            either won't happen or your memory will be very sketchy.

        2.  Record the GPS time when you start and stop recording track
            data. The GIS personnel can use that information to identify
            track data once it is downloaded.

        3.  Can develop pre-made tables to record notes.

        4.  Photos can be used in addition to notes.

            a.  Especially good for rehab and damage assessment.

            b.  Usually required for damage assessment.

            c.  Digital photos are good for documentation.

    F.  When recording waypoints, average the points for better
        accuracy, especially in heavy canopy cover. Some Garmin GPS
        models are not capable of averaging. See Part IV of this
        document for instructions.

    G.  When recording track data with the GPS:

        1.  Always clear the **Active Track** before you start recording
            data so that old data that was already downloaded is not
            mistaken for new data.

        2.  It's preferable to set the **Record Mode** in the Track
            **Setup Logging** window to **Fill**, the **Interval** to
            **Distance** and the **Distance Value** to **0.01 miles**.
            This will record a track point every 53 feet.

            a.  Do not set the Record Mode to Wrap. This will cause the
                GPS to overwrite track points at the beginning of the
                track if GPS memory hits 100%. It wraps back around to
                the starting point and deletes the points starting with
                the first point. It will continue overwriting track
                points until you stop tracking.

            b.  If the Interval is set to Time, when you stop to talk to
                someone, the GPS will continue to record. This does not
                occur when GPS is set to Distance.

            c.  Some GPS units have a Resolution setting that will allow
                you to set your distance interval down to 1 foot.

        3.  Don't turn GPS off to stop recording a track segment.

            a.  Instead, go to the Track **Setup Logging** window and
                switch the **Record Mode** to **Off**.

            b.  This will help avoid collection of unnecessary track
                points when the GPS is turned back on.

            c.  It's very difficult for the GIS personnel to interpret
                this data if erroneous data is captured.

        4.  Know how many track points your GPS is capable of storing.
            This will help you determine how many miles you can record.

            a.  GPS III Plus -- 1900

            b.  GPS 12XL -- 1024

            c.  eTrex -- 1536

            d.  eTrex Legend series -- 10,000 w-latest update

            e.  eTrex Vista series -- 10,000 w-latest update

            f.  GPS V -- 3000

            g.  GPSMap 76S & 76CS -- 10,000 w-latest update

            h.  GPSMap 60 series -- 10,000

        5.  **DO NOT save the Active Track to a Track Log**. If there
            are more than 100 (750 in Legend, Vista and GPSMap 76S)
            track points in the Active Log, this will average it down to
            100 (750 in models noted above) points in the Track Log.
            This will ruin your accuracy.

        6.  **DO NOT** back track where you have already recorded data.
            This will make a mess when the data is loaded into the GIS
            software.

            a.  Turn the Record Mode to Off if you need to veer off your
                intended course.

            b.  Flag where you stopped recording.

            c.  When you are ready to resume recording, turn the Record
                Mode to Fill, and continue on your course.

    H.  If you will be using a helicopter to GPS the fire perimeter:

        1.  Observe all safety measures given during pre-flight
            briefing.

        2.  Keep an eye out for and advise pilot of any hazards while
            flying (other nearby aircraft, power lines, towers, rock
            outcrops, etc.).

        3.  It's best to use the suction cup antenna on the front window
            (roof window if available).

        4.  Make sure that the GPS is turned on and has gotten 3D
            position before taking off.

        5.  It's good to ask the pilot if (s)he has ever GPS mapped a
            fire perimeter before taking off.

            a.  If pilot has flown GPS missions before, ask if they
                enjoy doing it.

            b.  If not, you might find another ship to use if available.
                That person will probably fly it so fast that you get
                very poor perimeter data.

        6.  Prior to takeoff, discuss method of flying along perimeter.

            a.  Discuss terminology to use while in flight (start, stop,
                pause, break, etc).

            b.  Clock-wise verses counter-clockwise flight around fire.

            c.  Flying low and slow is best.

            d.  Discuss what you want them to do when you encounter
                narrow pockets along perimeter.

            e.  Have pilot advise if they need to break away from the
                perimeter (to gain altitude, avoid sudden obstacles,
                etc.).

        7.  Maintain good communication with pilot while flying. Usually
            (s)he will want your help to find and keep on the perimeter.

        8.  If flying along fire perimeter where the fire is contained,
            but the burn is still hot, make sure the copter rotor wash
            doesn't blow hot embers across the fire line. Advise pilot
            to increase altitude and speed to prevent this from
            occurring.

II. **GPS Setup for Collecting Data** -- All pictures of GPS menus in
    this document are from a Garmin GPS III Plus. Most Garmin GPS models
    have similar menus.

    A.  Set up your GPS prior to going out on the fire line.

    B.  Set time to 8 hours behind UTC in Pacific standard time zone.
        During daylight savings time, use 7 hours.

        ![](media/image1.jpeg){width="1.4694444444444446in"
        height="0.9479166666666666in"}

    C.  Set the Map Datum based on intended use of GPS unit. This sets
        the datum used for coordinates as they are displayed on the GPS
        unit

        1.  Use **NAD27 CONUS** when using GPS coordinates to find a
            location on USGS quad maps.

        2.  ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="1.4701388888888889in"
            height="0.9576388888888889in"}Use **WGS 84** datum (\~300
            foot horizontal deviation from NAD27 CONUS) when working
            with aircraft. Change to this datum when giving aircraft
            your coordinates.

        3.  Regardless of what you have your GPS Map Datum set to, it
            always downloads in WGS84 datum. This is the format used by
            most map software.

    D.  Set Position Format to **hddd ْْ mm.mmm'** as shown above.

    E.  Set Interface Format to **Garmin** and Transfer Mode to
        **Host**. ![](media/image4.jpeg){width="1.4645833333333333in"
        height="0.9520833333333333in"}

III. **Use the Following Process to Record Track Data:**

     ![](media/image5.jpeg){width="1.4645833333333333in"
     height="0.9520833333333333in"}

     1.  Press the **Menu** button twice to open the main menu. Use the
         center rocker button to scroll down to **Track Logs** then
         press the **Enter** button.

     2.  ![](media/image6.jpeg){width="1.4701388888888889in"
         height="0.9479166666666666in"}The Active Log window will open.
         This window displays saved track logs and the amount of Active
         Log storage used.

     3.  ![](media/image7.jpeg){width="1.4645833333333333in"
         height="0.9520833333333333in"}Press the **Menu** button to open
         the Track Menu. Scroll down to **Clear Active Log**. Then press
         the **Enter button** to delete any track points currently
         stored on the GPS.

         ![](media/image8.jpeg){width="1.4701388888888889in"
         height="0.9479166666666666in"}

     4.  Next, select **Setup Logging** and press the **Enter** button
         to open the Setup Logging window. Set up your GPS to the
         settings displayed to the left. This will record a track point
         every 53 feet.

     5.  ![](media/image9.jpeg){width="1.4645833333333333in"
         height="0.9520833333333333in"}To set the **Record Mode**,
         scroll down until the item in this window is selected. Then
         press the **Enter** button. Select **Fill**, then press the
         **Enter** button.

         ![](media/image10.jpeg){width="1.4645833333333333in"
         height="0.9520833333333333in"}

     6.  Set the **Interval** to **Distance** using the same method as
         above.

     7.  ![](media/image11.jpeg){width="1.4645833333333333in"
         height="0.9520833333333333in"}Set the **Interval Value** to
         **0.01 miles**. This will be approximately 53 feet between
         track points. Using a GPS III plus, you can collect \~19 miles
         of track data at this setting.

     8.  Before getting to the location that you would like to start
         recording, set the **Record Mode** to **Off** (Step 5, but set
         to Off) and then **Clear Active Log** (Step 3). Doing this will
         prevent collecting unwanted track data.

     9.  When you are at your starting point and ready to start
         recording track data, set the **Record Mode** to **Fill** (Step
         5). Leave the **Setup Logging** window open with the **Record
         Mode** menu open as the GPS is recording. If you need to stop
         recording, you can quickly set the **Record Mode** to **Off**.
         Take note of the time that you started recording and describe
         the data that you are collecting.

     10. When you are at the location where you would like to stop
         recording, set the **Record Mode** to **Off**. Take note of the
         time that you stopped recording.

     11. Go to the next location where you want to record data and
         repeat Steps 9 and 10.

IV. **Use the Following Process to Create and Average a Waypoint**

    1.  ![](media/image12.jpeg){width="1.4645833333333333in"
        height="0.9520833333333333in"}**Not** all Garmin GPS models have
        this capability.

    2.  To record a Waypoint, press and hold down the **Mark** or
        **Enter** button until the **Mark Waypoint** window appears.

        a.  

    3.  If you don't want to average the waypoint, press the **Enter**
        button again to save the waypoint. Go to 4 if you want to
        average the waypoint.

        ![](media/image13.jpeg){width="1.4645833333333333in"
        height="0.9520833333333333in"}

    4.  In **Mark Waypoint** window, press the **Menu** button to open
        the **Mark Waypoint Menu**. Then select **Average Position** and
        the **Enter** button.

    5.  ![](media/image14.jpeg){width="1.4645833333333333in"
        height="0.9520833333333333in"}The **Average Position** window
        will open and start collecting points to calculate the average
        position. Collect at least 20 points as noted in the
        **Measurement Count** window. Then press the **Enter** button to
        save it.

    6.  When the **Mark Waypoint** window appears, **Done** should be
        selected. Press the **Enter** button to record the waypoint.

    7.  Write the waypoint number and a description of the waypoint in
        the field notes.

V.  **Updating GPS Software**

    Garmin updates the GPS software for the various GPS models on a
    routine basis and it's good to regularly check their website for
    updates. The updates include: fixes to problems and software bugs;
    increase the capabilities and/or functionality of the GPS; update
    technology changes in satellite communications with unit; and many
    other feature changes. The updates and the installation instructions
    for the various GPS models can be downloaded from the Garmin website
    at <http://www.garmin.com/support/download.jsp>. Following the
    instructions, you can then upload the software update directly to
    the GPS unit.