Developing Squadron-Based Training:��U.S. National Grid System and�Garmin GPS Units�

2013 MNWG EMERGENCY SERVICES LEADERSHIP MEETING

Why are we doing U.S. National Grid?

• National Search and Rescue Committee (NSARC) directives for using U.S. National Grid System in Land SAR and Catastrophic SAR:
• Land Search and Rescue Addendum (v1 2011-11)
• Catastrophic Incident Search and Rescue Addendum (v3 2012-06)

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Land Search & Rescue Addendum�

Table 4-7-1: National SAR Committee’s Geo-referencing Matrix

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The same expectations�are set in the�Catastrophic Incident�SAR Addendum

From major catastrophic�incidents like Hurricane �Sandy, to regional floods like in the Red River Valley, to your every day search and rescue mission, U.S. National Grid plays a role in ensuring location information is correct and interoperable.

See the Land SAR Addendum for footnotes.

Why did they come up with the U.S. National Grid System?

• Created by Federal Geographic Data Committee to establish a nationally consistent point reference system which would:
• Be easy to read and plot on existing maps with a “Read Right, Then Up” method
• Allow for easy distance calculation between two coordinates
• Improve interoperability of equipment with paper maps
• Address shortcomings with other systems and establish a common tool

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• U.S. National Grid is functionally equivalent to the Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) when referenced to NAD 83 or WGS 84 datums

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The problem with Latitude/Longitude

• 3 common formats with 12 valid ways to describe the same location:

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• Difficult to convert between different formats, conversion introduces human errors.
• When formats get mixed up, people go to the wrong spot. 45.32°, -94.04° and 45° 32', -94° 04‘ are two very different locations.
• Murphy’s Law of Lat/Long: The format you receive a location in is guaranteed to not be the default format used by your equipment or map.
• U.S. National Grid has a single, consistent format

The problem with Street Addresses

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• Relies on Street Signs and House Numbers for navigation… which do not exist in major disasters, remote areas
• Data changes routinely as areas are developed
• A road can have multiple names in very short distances

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• U.S. National Grid works when there are no local references, does not change, and requires no specific local knowledge

What does USNG look like?

USNG Format: 15T VL 1756 4336

Grid Zone Designation (GZD)

(6° lat x 8° longitude quad)

100,000 m�Square ID

Grid Coordinates

Read Right, Then Up.”

What does USNG look like?

15T VL 1756 4336

Read Right, Then Up.”

So how do we do this?

• Purchase equipment which supports the U.S. National Grid system
• Garmin GPSMAP 62
• Garmin eTrex 20

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• Incorporate U.S. Nation Grid into training exercises and activities

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• Help squadrons create local training plans to locally teach basic use of U.S. National Grid System and of the purchased equipment to build proficiency

Key Features

Garmin GPSMAP 62

Garmin eTrex 20

Switch Garmin to USNG

Incorporate USNG with training exercises and activities

• SAREXs
• Leverage GPS equipment in ground team scenarios
• Communicate ground team locations in USNG
• Have exercises utilizing paper and electronic maps with USNG
• ???
• Wing Conference
• Conduct a USNG and GPS breakout session
• ???
• Ground Team Academy
• Incorporate GPS equipment and USNG into existing training operations

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Local training plans

The only way people become proficient is to be trained well and use the skills often… and that happens at the squadron level.

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• Garmin GPS Resources:

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• USNG Resources:
• MNGeo Emergency Preparedness Committee – USNG Resources
• See the “Training Support Materials” and “Training Lectures” sections
• National Search and Rescue Committee – USNG Resources

Garmin GPSMAP 62

Garmin eTrex 20

Local training plans

Many USNG presentations beyond�classroom material:

• Short: By Mr. Tom Terry

Fantastic examples of exercises.

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• Medium: By Lt Col Stan Kegel

Great balance of relevant information.

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• Long: By Capt (USN Retired) Steve Swazee

Hits all parts of USNG and has lots of photos.

Download printable local maps from MNGeo’s State-Wide USNG series.

MNGeo Emergency Preparedness Committee – USNG Resources

Example training goals

No SQTR on USNG yet, so be creative and find what works for your squadron.

If you find something that works extremely well, please share it!