Emergency Information Coordination Unit (EICU)
The Emergency Information Coordination Unit (EICU) supports the emergency sector by providing trusted spatial data for multi-agency emergencies, including natural disasters and major events.
What we do
DCS Spatial Services Emergency Coordination Unit (EICU) coordinates spatial information across government to support emergency prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Recognised in the NSW State Emergency Management Plan as a supporting agency, EICU provides all-of-government spatial information, data coordination and mapping capabilities to support emergency management arrangements across prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. Through this work, EICU helps combat agencies maintain a consistent and reliable common operating picture during emergencies and major events.
The EICU developed and manages the Emergency Services Spatial Information Library (ESSIL). ESSIL brings together data from over 200 agencies into a single, authoritative data library. It includes more than 350 spatial layers to support all phases of emergency management, including:
- prevention
- preparedness
- response
- recovery
- major events.
This helps create safer communities by making trusted spatial data available so agencies can plan for, respond to and reduce the impact of emergencies.
How we provide support
EICU provides a single coordination point for spatial data and intelligence across the NSW emergency management sector. As a supporting agency, it collects, integrates and shares authoritative spatial information to support planning, response and recovery.
This support is delivered through the NSW Emergency Management Digital Twin (EMDT) and the Joint Intelligence Mapping System (JIMS), which provides access to ESSIL.
SIMS and JIMS are easy-to-use, web-based tools that give decision makers access to maps, location data and spatial information without needing specialist knowledge. Users can view and interact with data layers, generate situation reports and support the coordination of activities such as evacuation and search and rescue.
Managing large events
EICU supports major events across NSW, including New Year’s Eve, City to Surf and other large-scale public events. These events require coordination of mapping across multiple agencies before and during the event. For example:
- Transport NSW
- NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
- the Royal Botanic Gardens
- the Domain Trust
- Destination NSW
- Premier’s Department
- local councils.
EICU then creates site-specific maps that allow emergency services to toggle layers on and off, providing quick access to the most relevant information during an emergency.
EICU also has staff available to provide direct mapping support in the Government Coordination Centre (GCC) during these events.
Case studies
Read more Spatial Services case studies.
Contact Spatial Services
General enquiries
Access the Spatial Services Customer Hub to submit a general enquiry, request data or to provide feedback or suggestions.
If you need assistance while using the hub, you can call 1300 789 966 to leave a voice message for a return call.