When natural disasters such as forest fires, hurricanes or tornadoes strike, every minute counts. In such situations, it is crucial that emergency services receive up-to-date information quickly, can orient themselves precisely and act in a coordinated manner. This is exactly where the Avenza Maps app comes in – a digital tool that has long been standard equipment at the United States Forest Service (USFS).

From mountains of paper to an app – a necessary change

For decades, the US Forest Service has relied on extensive paper maps to plan its operations. These were recreated, printed, bundled and distributed to hundreds of firefighters every day. But the traditional system had its weaknesses: it was not only time-consuming, but also slow. Anyone who wanted to make a change to the map late at night had no chance – the print run was long gone. However, it was not uncommon for the situation on the ground to change dramatically during the night. This was precisely the problem that Chris Brenzel, Situational Unit Leader and Fire Engine Captain at the USFS, wanted to solve.

Always up to date, always available – even offline

Brenzel came across Avenza Maps, a mobile app for digital maps that also works offline. The benefits were immediately clear: instead of lugging around thick map sets, his teams could suddenly use up-to-date, interactive maps directly on their smartphones – whether in the field, in a helicopter or far away from any network coverage. The maps can be updated daily, marked and used based on location. For Brenzel and his team, this meant a better overview, fewer mistakes, faster decisions – and less paper consumption.
Digital maps not only improve efficiency, but also safety
A forest fire can spread across thousands of hectares in a matter of hours. Anyone working with outdated information risks not only losing time, but also human lives. With Avenza Maps, it is possible to immediately display any change in location on the map and distribute it to all emergency services with just a few clicks. This not only increases speed, but also safety, as everyone involved has the same level of information.
A solution with potential – also for municipal operations and prevention
In addition to emergency disaster relief, the US Forest Service also uses the app for long-term projects. These include maps for fuel reduction and the planning of protection zones. The ability to distribute digital maps specifically using QR codes or make them available via a dedicated map store facilitates collaboration between different authorities and organisations.
Proven technology, strong partner
The USFS has been working with the app from Avenza Systems, a Canadian specialist in digital cartography, since 2012. What Brenzel particularly appreciates is that, in addition to the sophisticated technology, the support is also impressive. Questions are answered quickly and new requirements are implemented flexibly. In an environment where reliability can mean the difference between success and failure, this is a decisive advantage.
Digitalisation makes disaster control more precise and responsive
Avenza Maps is more than just a map app – it is a strategic tool in modern disaster relief. It reduces delays, enables informed decisions and ensures that emergency services can focus on what matters most: saving lives and protecting nature and infrastructure. In view of increasing extreme weather events, this solution could also become a real alternative for fire brigades, disaster control and municipal emergency planning in this country.