Department of Homeland Security announces IT resources to aid counties in response to COVID-19

Key Takeaways

On March 28, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced free access to software solutions and licensed datasets to assist non-federal governmental entities responding to COVID-19.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has an Enterprise License Agreement with the Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) that allows DHS/FEMA the ability to extend that agreement to government entities during an “incident of national significance.”  As a result of the current health crisis, county governments can now obtain free access to Esri software solutions for up to six months to help counties respond to COVID-19.  Esri provides geographic information system (GIS) software, web GIS and geodatabase management applications.

To access Esri’s resources, visit www.esri.com/en-us/disaster-response/overview and choose “Request Assistance” in the red banner then select “COVID-19 Response Package.” The package contains software, templates and suggested data schemas. Current Esri customers may also access free templates specifically designed for the COVID-19 response.

Additionally, Esri is offering free GIS technology and on-call technical expert help including data, software, configuration and technical support for organizations that have exceeded their GIS capacity and need emergency support.

Homeland Infrastructure Foundation-Level Data

County officials can also access the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency’s (NGA) licensed datasets to help with COVID-19 operational needs. NGA is providing access to non-federal governmental disaster/emergency response security agencies and personnel who are supporting Homeland Security/Homeland Defense missions per the current Homeland Infrastructure Foundation-Level Data (HIFLD) Data Use Agreement. Please note, this expanded access will expire once the current declaration of a national emergency ends.

This expanded access covers these additional data products:

• Licensed Parcel Data
• 2020 Roads and Routing Dataset
• Dun & Bradstreet Business Points Data

For first-time users: Go to the HIFLD Subcommittee Home Page and choose “Request Licensed Data.” Complete the Disaster Use Agreement using “COVID-19” as the reference number. Once approved by NGA, you will receive access within 24 hours. Please note, before you can complete a Data User Agreement and access this data, you must have valid Homeland Security Information Network credentials. For further questions, contact HIFLD@hq.dhs.gov.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of External Affairs, Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Division at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-IGA@fema.dhs.gov.