Modernizing Data Systems in Environmental Public Health: A Blueprint for Action
San Bernardino County, California: Environmental Health Services Modernization Implementation San Bernardino County Department of Public Health adopted a GIS-based mod- ernization strategy to support its Environmental Health Services Division. Tools like ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey123, Dashboards, and Workforce replaced pa- per-based systems and enabled real-time tracking of inspections, permitting, and field service delivery. The department integrated its legacy EnvisionConnect database with mobile tools to allow inspectors to upload data remotely and su - pervisors to view program status live through dashboards. Challenges and Solutions San Bernardino County faced logistical and technical challenges in modernizing the Environmental Health Services Division. As the largest county by area in the contiguous U.S., field staff often work in remote regions with poor connectivity and long travel distances. Operations were previously siloed and paper-based, limiting coordination and real-time tracking. To overcome these barriers, the department adopted mobile GIS tools with offline capabilities, enabling inspectors to collect data in the field and sync it later. Automated data pathways fed inspection data directly into dashboards, improving accuracy and eliminating manual processes. GIS was also used to create balanced inspection zones, distributing workload equitably based on geography and facility density. The team developed a suite of customized GIS applications across programs, such as food safety, vector control, and land use, supporting a unified, department-wide modern- ization effort. Outcomes and Benefits Modernization led to increased inspection efficiency, streamlined workflows and emergency responses, improved workload tracking, and better public outreach. The department scaled its use of dashboards to over 20 apps supporting inter - nal operations and public transparency. Field staff now complete more inspec- tions per day, while managers monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as inspection completion and complaint response times in real time.
Lessons Learned Start small, and iteration is key. Interdepartmental partnerships and strong leadership drove the adoption of new technologies and the integration of systems. Modern technology adoption among staff improved as tools were refined with user feedback and linked directly to performance improvements. The county’s approach has become a model for scalable, GIS-enabled envi- ronmental health modernization.
23
Powered by FlippingBook