GIST 1030 CalTopo for SAR Mission Management
This course focuses on the practical use of CalTopo as a geospatial decision-support tool throughout the full lifecycle of a Search and Rescue (SAR) incident. The student will learn how to integrate CalTopo into initial response, operational planning, field deployment, and post-incident data management. Some prior knowledge or experience with search and rescue concepts or field operations is recommended. (2 Lab).
Major Topics
- CalTopo geospatial tools
- Rapid terrain analysis
- Environmental risk planning
- Search segmentation
- Field deployment
- Tracks and field data management
- Incident scaling and interagency coordination
Outcomes
In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:
1. Create spatial data with CalTopo.
2. Evaluate terrain and incident context to support SAR decision-making.
3. Assess environmental and operational risks using geospatial data.
4. Establish search zones with CalTopo.
5. Describe how to use mobile app tools to aid rescuers in the field.
6. Manage GPS tracks and field data.
7. Describe how CalTopo can be scaled to multiple agency missions.