Use of Google Earth as a Training Tool
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It seems everywhere we turn Google Earth (GE) is used to display geographic information. News channels update us on locations of significant events on the Iraq War or the hardest hit areas after a tornado. Schools at all levels use it as a teaching tool covering such topics as geography, history, natural resources, and GIS. Even wildland fire agencies are getting in the game providing the public with fire perimeters on inciweb.org or creating videos about specific fire events using Google Earth as a geographic backdrop for the story (Madison Arm Fire). Other groups are using Google Earth as a tool for briefings, to assist with AARs, to plan emergency response, for running sand table like simulations, and for presenting case studies. This topic will primarily focus on the creation of case studies.
How to use Google Earth
This topic is the key. Feeling comfortable with moving through the GE landscape and using the tools in GE is the first step in creating your own case studies. Here is where you start.
1) Download GE on to your computer. (Follow instructions)
2) Learn how to use.
A) Suggestions:
- Go through Google Earth Users Guide while playing in GE
- Major topics you should do in Google Earth Users Guide
Introduction (specifically navigation topics)
- Play in GE (push the buttons and see what they do, you will learn more and its more fun)
How to Create a Case Study
This is the fun part. The easiest way to begin developing GE case study is to remember an event that you were a part of and write the story down on a piece of paper. Next, find the location of the event in Google Earth. Now, using the tools learned while going through the GE User Guide relive the event in Google Earth. Begin by adding a folder with the name of the event on it, now fill that folder with placemarks where significant events took place (remember to add the story in the description boxes); paths for hose lays, hand lines, retardant drops; polygons for fire perimeters; and insert photo to add pictures. There are multitudes of ways to show an event in GE, so be creative.
Example
This example of using a report to create a Google Earth case study is based on the Madison Arm Fire outside of West Yellowstone, Montana in 2007. The Facilitative Learning Analysis and the Facilitative Learning Analysis Google (FLAG) is attached below. The FLAG was created by Billy Phillips of the Missoula Smokejumpers.
Madison Arm Facilitative Learning Analysis
