Topic
How to use shape files acquired from other sources in Everbridge Suite.
Description
Shape files can be acquired from many different county, city and state sources. The following are sources which provide geographic information and represent a reliable selection to begin collecting shape files for use within an organization. The shape file data must be prepared in a ZIP file containing KML (Keyhole Markup Language) files or SHP (shape) files, as outlined in knowledge article 000001850 - How to Determine Which Contacts Should Be Selected by a Given Weather Alert in Everbridge Suite.
Everbridge Suite supports shapefiles that use the WGS 84 (EPSG:4326) or Web Mercator (EPSG:3857) coordinate reference systems. When preparing your ZIP file, confirm that the included .prj file reflects one of these projections (for example, GCS_WGS_1984 for WGS 84). If your source data uses a different projection, reproject it in a GIS tool such as QGIS or ArcGIS to WGS 84 before zipping (include at minimum .shp, .shx, .dbf, and .prj).
If a shapefile is very large or contains complex geometries, consider simplifying it first in your GIS tool. Reducing the number of features or vertices and then re-importing can help the layer display and perform correctly in Universe.
Once uploaded, KML or shapefile layers can be used to create shapes and filters in Universe. You can overlay KML evacuation zones with your assets and contacts, create filters based on those shapes, and then use those filters when launching communications or incidents.
United States Census Maps and Data
The United States Census Bureau provides geographic data such as TIGER/Line shape files, Keyhole Markup Language files, cartographic boundary files, geographic relationship files, as well as reference and thematic maps.
Access the United States Census at the following link: https://www.census.gov/
National Historical Geographic Information System
The National Historical Geographic System (NHGS) provides aggregate census data and geographic information system (GIS)-compatible boundary files.
Access the NHGIS at the following link: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/geography/about-geography.html
NOAA's National Weather Service
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration's (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) provides shape files that the NWS uses as base maps in the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS). Weather data that is compatible with GIS software is also available.
Access the NOAA National Weather Service at the following link: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/geodata/
Atlas of Historical County Boundaries
The Atlas of Historical Country Boundaries (AHCB) provides state and county shape files for use with GIS software.
Access the AHCB at the following link: http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/downloads/
Other Sources
The following sites offer mapping services for areas outside of the United States: